Joan Stafslien’92 creates fund in memory of husband, Tom ’91.
Joan Stafslien ’92 recalls many moments during her time at University of Wisconsin Law School, but one series of events holds particular meaning.
“A group of law students would meet Thursday nights at the Law School and watch ‘L.A. Law’ in the student center, then we’d go out for the evening on State Street,” she recalled. “This is when and where Tom and I met, during my first year and his second.”
Tom ’91, who grew up in Janesville, was in the military on active duty. He was “easygoing, fun and had a dry sense of humor,” she recalled.
“He didn’t take law school too seriously, which in hindsight was probably the right approach,” Joan said. “Perhaps his previous nine years in the Marine Corps taught him that.”
Tom started his military career in the Marine Corps as a Field Artillery Officer after graduating from Drake University in 1981. He deployed twice to Beirut, Lebanon, the last of which provided security for search and recovery operations following the 1983 bombing of the Marine barracks there. He then served at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) in San Diego, California, as a Series and Company Commander in enlisted recruit training.
While at MCRD, Tom sought a change. Through the Marine Corps’ Excess Leave Program, he was able to attend UW Law School and still work at the local Marine Corps recruiting station. Tom spent his second and third years at UW Law with the Legal Defense Project (LDP), which provided trial-level representation to indigent Dane County misdemeanor clients.
“He loved working with LDP,” said Joan. “I’d say it was the highlight of his Law School time. He deeply respected both Professor Baldwin and Professor Tuerkheimer.”
Following his time at UW Law, Tom attended the Naval Justice School at Newport, Rhode Island, where he learned the Uniform Code of Military Justice. He then served as a Marine Corps Judge Advocate based at Camp Pendleton, California, where he practiced criminal law.
As Tom progressed through his military career, he also served as the Staff Secretary for the Commanding General, 1st Marine Division, and as the Staff Judge Advocate for the 1st Force Service Support Group. He later received an LL.M. in Military Law from the Judge Advocate General’s School of the Army in Charlottesville, Virginia. He finished his Marine Corps career as the Officer in Charge of the Legal Assistance Center at Camp Pendleton before retiring in 2001.
Tom and Joan, who married in 1994, had two sons: Ben, born in 1996, and Jonathan, who came along five years later.
“As a family, we traveled the world,” recalled Joan. “When Tom was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2013, we determined to live life to the fullest for as long as possible. We were together from that first day in the law school in January 1990 until he passed away in January 2020.”
In 2023, inspired by her husband’s service, Joan created the Major Thomas Stafslien, USMC, Ret. Scholarship Fund.
The core of Tom’s being was service of others, and service to the United States was his life’s work, Joan said.
“Tom was one of the most kind and gentle people I have ever met,” she added. “He believed deeply in the ideals of the United States — resolving conflicts peacefully through the courts, and valuing democracy, independence and freedom. He didn’t believe the United States was perfect, but he believed in this country’s ideals and its constitution so much so that he was willing to serve to protect them for all of us.”
“I am hoping this fund will help these amazing individuals fulfill their dreams of either continuing with their military service or transitioning post-service to their next career.” – Joan Stafslien
Those who serve or previously served with the armed forces are special, Joan continued.
“They exemplify service and sacrifice to others. I am hoping this fund will help these amazing individuals fulfill their dreams of either continuing with their military service or transitioning post-service to their next career,” she said. “I hope this scholarship will assist in their ability to graduate debt-free.”
This scholarship will receive matching dollars from the Laureen Seeger Match.
“It is a fantastic way to immediately double the impact of my grant,” said Joan. “I am deeply grateful for this match as a means to accelerate funds to incoming UW Law students.”
To learn more or make a gift, visit the Stafslien-Fund webpage.
Shaping Futures
The following are new funds established with support from the Laureen Seeger Match:
- The Bruce Colburn Scholarship
- The Claire Silverman Municipal Law Scholarship
- The Major Thomas Stafslien, USMC, Ret. Scholarship
- The Topinka Bernhardt Family Scholarship
- The Steven J. Thompson Courage and Compassion Scholarship
- The Steven J. Thompson Family Courage and Compassion Scholarship
- The Frank Tuerkheimer Scholarship
- The Theodore and Nancy Widder Scholarship
- The 1890 Family Scholarship
- The Ralph M. Cagle Memorial Scholarship