For Country and Texas A&M
An American flag flies proudly outside the home of Dorthy and Jim Staehs ’55 in San Jose, California, calling attention to a plaque below that bears a patriotic quote written by Jim.
The words embody the couple’s patriotism for their country, reflected now in a charitable gift annuity they created that, after their lifetimes, will support Regents’ Scholars in the Corps of Cadets.
“The Corps taught me loyalty, honor, discipline, leadership, the value of hard work, and the spirit of unity and camaraderie,” said Jim. “I hope it will continue to espouse those values and build men and women of outstanding character to serve this nation and their communities.”
After marrying in 1952, he and Dorthy lived on campus while he pursued a civil engineering degree. Despite the fact that he was unable to afford his senior boots, Jim walked proudly across the stage and received his diploma. “It hung on our living room wall for years, even when there was no furniture,” he said.
After graduation, Jim worked for various companies and served three years in the U.S. Air Force. He later began his own manufacturing company, which he sold after 12 years for a sum that enabled him to retire.