Stanley "Stan" J. Bechtold

Stanley J. Bechtold, 80, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family members on Saturday, December 6, 2025. He was born on February 6, 1945 in Horton, Kansas, the son of Joseph C. and Marion Gafford Bechtold. He is proceeded in death by his parents, brother Alan, father-in-law Gordon Lindeblad, niece Heather Bechtold, nephews Craig Wilkerson and Kyle Brinker, brothers-in-law Michael Fitzpatrick, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Daniel Fritz, and Norman Koester, and sister-in-law, Melba Fitzpatrick.

Stan graduated from Topeka West High School in 1963. He joined the Navy and was assigned to the First Marine Division as a Corpsman, serving two campaigns in Vietnam, and later aboard the USS Bushnell, a submarine tender and hospital ship. After his military service he worked as an X-ray Technologist and as the Lead Technician in the newly formed Nuclear Medicine Department at the Colmery-O'Neil VA Hospital in Topeka. After retirement from the VA, he worked part-time for Brinks as an armored car driver. He was a member of Saint Matthew Catholic Church and a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Stan met his wife, Mary Ann Fitzpatrick, while he was studying Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Together with family, Stan and Mary recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. He was a hardworking, loving father of two boys, and a steadfast husband and provider. Stanley enjoyed astronomy, family vacations, playing cards with friends, and water-color painting – with several works inspired by an impressive Koi pond and waterfalls that he built in the back yard – a view he continued to enjoy in his later years from the comfort of his easy chair. He was a past member of the Topeka Rose Society (co-chairing the Rose Show with his wife). He was also a former member of the Topeka Area Water Garden Society, and co-chaired the annual TAWGS pond tour. He is survived by his wife and two sons, Matthew of Topeka, and Eric (Jessica) of Tennessee. His wife's brothers and sisters: Ed Fitzpatrick (Topeka), Sr. Angela Fitzpatrick (Kansas City), Marjorie (Dennis) Levell (Overland Park), John (Linda) Fitzpatrick (Topeka), Ellen Fritz Koester (Topeka),

Kathleen (Gary) Wilkerson (Emporia), sister-in-law Donna Fitzpatrick (Topeka), nephews and nieces: Jesse Travis Bechtold, Dr. Pamela Fitzpatrick-Harris, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Todd Fitzpatrick, Brenda (CJ) Johnson, Jennifer (Tim) Baalman, Carey (Tyson) Needham, Michelle ( Darren) Nelson, Tim (Melissa) Fitzpatrick, Kelli (Brooks) Swift, Greg Fritz, Sarah (Brian) Miller, Micheal (Kathryn) Wilkerson, and Becky Brinker.

Memorial visitation will be held from 9:00-10:00 A.M., followed by a parish rosary being prayed at 10:00 A.M., on Friday, January 9, 2026 at Saint Matthew Catholic Church (2700 SE Virginia Ave., Topeka, KS 66605). A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M., at the church with military honors taking place following the Mass. Stan will be interned at the Holy Trinity Mausoleum at Mt. Calvary Cemetery at 2:00 P.M. that afternoon.

Memorial contributions can be made to Saint Matthew Catholic Church, 2700 SE Virginia Ave., Topeka, KS 66605, or online at saintmatthews.org/online-giving; or to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Topeka Chapter (c/o Jim Peek), 5550 NE Kincaid Rd., Topeka, KS 66617, or online at shpbeds.org/chapter/ks-topeka. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit Stan’s memorial webpage at www.brennanmathenafh.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.