Dr. Gary E. Stollak

Gary Stollak was born on August 13, 1939, in New York City, to Robert and Diana Stollak.

He received his BA from Hunter College in the Bronx in 1960 and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in 1964.

Gary was an assistant professor of psychology at Indiana University from 1964 to 1966, where he met and married Mary Alice Nedobeck. He taught psychology courses at Michigan State University from 1966 to 2010, where he was a professor.  While at Michigan State University, he was Chair of 99 Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral Thesis committees, and the author or co-author of 125 publications and presentations at state, regional, national, and international meetings. He was also a visiting professor at Pennsylvania State University and the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia. Gary was a dedicated teacher and scholar who continued to write throughout his retirement years.

Humor was an important part of Gary’s daily life. He enjoyed making people laugh, and he greatly appreciated others’ wit, welcoming the sound of laughter around him.  During his undergraduate years, he worked as an usher at Carnegie Hall, an experience that instilled in him a lifelong love of all genres of music. He looked forward to his weekly discussion group and book club meetings on Zoom, which he enjoyed in his retirement.

Living on to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Mary Alice Stollak; son, Matthew Stollak (Kelly), of Green Bay, WI; daughters, Clare Stollak Gustavsson (Jonas) of Manhattan, New York, and Sarah Stollak of Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Isabel Gustavsson, and Mia & Micah Stollak; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Nedobeck and Arlene Nedobeck, as well as many nieces and nephews. Gary was predeceased by his parents, Diana & Robert Stollak; his sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Stewart Rockman; and brothers-in-law, Donald Nedobeck & Jack Nedobeck.

Gary remained a good-natured soul as his health challenges increased over the past years. Our family is grateful for the compassionate care given to him during the past weeks at Stoneleigh Hospice. On February 11, 2026, he passed away peacefully at the age of 86.

A celebration of life will be held on a future date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Stoneleigh Residence through Hospice of Lansing, 3411 Stoneleigh Dr., Lansing, MI 48910, or Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030.

Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.