Stanley (Stosh) Stydnicki

Stan Stydnicki, 90. Best known as “Stan the Weatherman” for his weather show forecasting on both radio and TV on Channel 6 at Austin, Minn., from 1953 to 1968, Stydnicki started with radio station KAUS as a radio transmitter engineer in 1950. He helped build Channel 6 in 1953, then KMMT, now KAAL, and progressed through various station operations to become vice president of operations.
In 1968, Stydnicki left the TV station in Austin to build his own radio station in Northfield, Minn. (KYMN 1080 AM). The station went on air in September 1968. Stydnicki was president, general manager and majority owner of the station for many years before selling it in January 1983 .
Stydnicki served in the U.S. Navy from April 1943 to March 1946. He enlisted in the Navy upon graduating from Elyria, Ohio, High School. After receiving training at the naval training station at Great Lakes, Ill., he was assigned to the aircraft carrier escort USS Kitkun Bay (CVE 71). Stydnicki served as a radioman aboard the carrier, reaching the rank of petty officer second class upon discharge from the service. The Kitkun Bay saw action in the Pacific Theater. Stydnicki was in six major sea and air battles in the Pacific, including the second Battle of the Philippines at Leyte Gulf in October 1944. The Kitkun Bay, along with five other carriers, was part of the group code named Taffy 3.
He received five service medals including the Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal with six battle stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal with two stars, the Presidential Unit Citation Medal, and the American Area Medal along with the Phillppine Presidential Unit Citation Medal. His duties onboard the ship were that of radio operator and transmitter tuning, as a maintenance engineer.
Stydnicki was born on May 8, 1925, to Michael and Antonette Stydnicki of Elyria, Ohio, where he attended Holy Cross Catholic Grade School through the 8th grade, then Elyria High School. Stydnicki participated in various school sport activities, including the high school baseball and football teams. He was a running back for the school in the 1941-1942 season. After World War II he continued his education at Dakota Wesleyan University at Mitchell, S.D., and Central Radio and Television school in Kansas City, Mo. While in college Stydnicki played football, tennis and participated in track and field events. He also played baseball in the South Dakota State League for Mitchell as a catcher.
He married H. Eleanor Thomsen of Dawson, Minn., on Sept. 25, 1948, whom he met while attending college. They have two children, Mary S. Johnston of Woodstock, Md., and Michael of Brainerd, Minn. He has two brothers, Frank of Blufton, S.C., and Ben of Grafton, Ohio, and a sister, Mary Wilkens of Elyria. One sister, Ann (Page) preceded him in death.
Stydnicki's civic activities were many. He was a member of The American Legion and the VFW. He served as president and board member of the Northfield Chamber of Commerce from 1972-1973, and as president and board member of the Northfield Industrial Corp. Other activities included that of chairman of the Defeat of Jesse James Days Committee in 1969 and 1970, and publicity chair in 1971.
He worked on the Northfield City Hospital Fund drive for its major expansion. He also worked with the United Fund Appeal, Crime Stoppers and Civil Air Patrol, and was a trustee for the Church of St. Dominic's in Northfield. Stydnicki was elected to the board of directors of the Dundas State Bank in 1980 and served for 20 years.
His hobbies included hunting, fishing, golf and aviation.