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On 13 January 2026, Lois Elaine Lunt Stelter passed away in Neckarhausen, Germany at the age of 89. As a staff and faculty member, Elaine was one of the longest-serving University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) overseas employees. She joined the European Division in 1960 and held a variety of positions until retirement in 2007.
Elaine was born to Harry B. and Christina E. Lunt on 8 August 1936 and grew up in Pratt, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Hans Wolfgang Stelter, and their daughter, Stephanie Stelter. Elaine leaves behind three sons: Rick, Dirk and Marc Stelter.
While studying music education and piano at Lindenwood College, Elaine was an energetic and successful undergraduate. She not only belonged to five choral and instrumental organizations but was also a student leader in the residence halls. In 1958, she was awarded a bachelor’s degree with honors in music education and piano. Shortly after that, she moved to Germany to complete her master’s degree at the University of Heidelberg.
In Heidelberg, Elaine began her nearly five-decade relationship with UMGC. One of her early responsibilities was to develop a new office, the Print Shop, where she became its first director. Next, she was an assistant to the director of the Mathematics Office and, after that, Purchasing Manager for the Business Office. More recently, as Assistant to the Director, Down Range, Elaine coordinated assigning and dispatching faculty members to Afghanistan and other front-line locations in the Middle East.
Along with administrative responsibilities, Elaine was an active faculty member, frequently teaching “Survey of Music Literature,” when that popular course was offered at military installations in Germany. Finally, it was Elaine who, year after year, honored University of Maryland graduates in Europe, as the brilliant organist who enthusiastically played “Pomp and Circumstance” as degree recipients proudly marched into the annual commencement ceremony to receive their associate, bachelor’s and master’s diplomas.
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John Nolan
So sad to hear of Elaine's passing. She was a a lovely lady, and a good friend. I had to walk through her office to get out of my office at Heidelberg, and it was a pleasure, and reassuring, to see her there every day. I frequently ( too frequently, a guilty pleasure of mine) snuck out for lunch at Popeye's Fried chicken on base, and she woudl invariably ask me to bring her back "some spicy thighs", which always brought a smile to my face. She often hosted me in her home when I visited the area, and even arranged for me to live in her daughter Stephanie's spare basement for many months- rent free in exchange for walking the dobermans- when I was at a loss for a place to live. Elaine was a motherly figure, who tried to take care of everyone, but whose own life was dotted with tragedy and health problems. She always caried on stoically in a fine, middle American way. RIP Elaine, you were a good one.
Katja Hornbeck
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Elaine. I loved listening to her practice the organ before every commencement ceremony! She was one remarkable person at UMUC/UMGC, kind, friendly and always had a smile for you!
RIP Elaine!
Patrick Dua
Farewell Elaine. It’s heartbreaking to hear that you are no more. Your warm personality, infectious smile and radiant grace will always occupy that enduring space in my memory. May you abide in eternal peace.
Daniel Bennette
I was deeply saddened to hear of Elaine's passing earlier this year. Some of the local former Marylanders visited her occasionally and when she was still mobile, invited her to our lunch and brunch gatherings. In the latter years when she was bed ridden, we would reminisce about the good old days at Maryland. I actually worked in the Printshop that Elaine had implemented at Zengerstrasse, Heidelberg (in the basement of the USAREUR Library) and we would talk about the importance of the printshop back in those days. I was also fortunate to have taken a Music class with Elaine during my endeavor to achieve a bachelors degree with Maryland and she positively influenced my appreciation for music. Elaine was a very kind person, and it was a pleasure to have known and worked with her.
RIP Elaine.
Helmuth Radig
Elaine was a staple of UMGC from before I started working there. Through my friendship with her son, Dirk, I had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Elaine outside of work.
I got to know Elaine a little closer when I was working with Dr. Zwink in Schwaebisch Gmuend. Those days engagement was quick and to the point with all focus on opening the campus for the first group of students. Elaine contributed further to SG by playing the piano at our first couple of commencements there.
Around 2002, I began working directly for Dr. Zwink, our Downrange Director at the time, when I went to Kosovo. When I found myself suddenly taking care of four centers that had long been neglected, Elaine was my greatest support, cheerleader, and shoulder to lean on. She seemed to have answers for everything and positive words to put me at ease even under the most stressful circumstances.
Elaine was truly a saint to work for and taught me much about UMGC (UMUC at the time) and how to take care of people as well as our students.
Elaine will be missed but will always have a place in my heart. Thank you, Elaine, for all you've done for so many!
John Barbato
My first encounter with Elaine was through her son, Dirk, who was a student in several of my classes at the time. On his recommendation to his mother, Elaine ‘summoned’ me and asked if I would be interested in going downrange. Elaine noticed that Dirk was very engaged in my class and asked how I was able to get him so involved in the class. That was in the early nineties, and Elaine offered me my first downrange assignment which was in Bosnia. Since then, for approximately the next 25 years and because of Elaine, I was offered a downrange assignment every year. Once, coming from a modest family. when I told her that I had an issue with the downrange communal bathrooms and showers, Elaine asked me, “How can you go to the nude beaches in Barcelona and have issues with the downrange communal bathrooms?” Not only is it due to the fact that I was never going to see the people at the nude beach again, seeing the fuzzy buns of your students was not something I had experienced before. She also recognized that I was able to forge positive relationships with people notorious for not being very friendly. (no names). I could ‘be real’ with Elaine and she understood me and my quirky ways. It was because of Elaine; I was able to experience teaching on five different continents.
I shall always be grateful for the trust she had in me and for the opportunities she created for me. Elaine, you are missed.
Penelope Roberts