David William Stotlar

David William Stotlar, 60 passed away peacefully on August 19, 2008. Born in Alton, IL, he lived in Topeka since 1992. David started working at age 11 with a newspaper route and worked to put himself through high school, college and an MBA. David earned a Bachelor's Degree from Southern Illinois University and an MBA from Sangamon University. He worked for Horace Mann, Ernst and Young and Cybertek before moving to Topeka in 1992 as VP of IT with Security Benefit Group. He joined Creative Business Solutions as their VP of Operations in 1999. Under his leadership, it has become the premier provider of outsourced human resources in the Topeka area.

Dave was a member of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, the Topeka Independent Business Association (TIBA) and the Society of Human Resource Management. A believer in continuous education, he earned his Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR) certification in 2007. David had become an adjunct professor at Washburn University shortly before he was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer.

Surviving him are his wife, Cynthia Stotlar of Topeka, his two sons Eric Stotlar of Aurora, IL and Jason Stotlar of Vernon Hills, IL, their wives Kimberly and Julia Stotlar respectively and his six grandchildren. Eric and Kimberly's children are; Quincy (6), Teague (4) and Beckett (2). Jason and Julia's children are: William (6), Jonah (3) and Wren (6 weeks). David is also survived by his five siblings: Wendella Stotlar of Alton, IL, Allen Stotlar of Little Rock, AR, Linda Jo Brown of Alton, IL, Claudia Stotlar of Little Rock, AR and Keri Sanders-York of Mayflower, AR.

The main loves of David's life were his grandchildren and traveling. He loved going off the beaten path so his travels included Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Bolivia, Coast Rica, Peru and cruising down the Amazon. David was blessed to be able to spend the last two weeks of his life in Aurora, IL surrounded by his loving family.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2008 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka. Pastor Paul Mitchell will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Washburn Endowment Association, 1729 SW MacVicar Ave, Topeka, KS, 66604. Please designate "In memory of David Stotlar" in your donation letter.