Searching for the Truth (Always Telling the Truth Means Never Having to Remember Anything)
I’ve known and worked closely with Stanton Friedman for the past 23 years since I moved to Roswell and was a volunteer at the International UFO Museum from 1996 to 1998. I had heard and read about Stanton for many years prior to actually meeting him, so when I first got to meet him, I was as impressed with his research as I was with his willingness to share that research. Those 23 years grew into a friendship that I will truly miss now that he has passed away.
Stanton’s credentials and “resume” will never be equaled as the original civilian researcher on Roswell who located Major Jesse Marcel (retired at the time) in Louisiana in 1978, and UFOs in general. His research involved lecturing on the subject of UFOs in 10 Canadian Provinces, 50 states, 19 countries, and at 600 colleges. Prior to becoming involved with UFO research, Stanton worked as a nuclear physicist, having obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Chicago in physics. I was always amused how quickly he would correct people when they referred to him as Doctor Freidman. Some of the positions he had as a nuclear physicist were with General Electric, McDonnell Douglas, TRW, Westinghouse, and others, many times referring to them as secret government projects that were cancelled.
My association with Stanton developed into much more than doing UFO research as we became friends, and that is a part of him that I cherished and will never forget. Stanton would come to Roswell for nearly all the Roswell UFO Festivals each 4th of July weekend, and on many occasions my wife Debby and I would go to dinner with him, and we had him over to the house for breakfast several times since he enjoyed getting away for a little while. During those private times with Stanton, he learned about Debby having cancer twice and being involved in a serious car accident. That’s where the side of Stanton many did know came out, as he would never forget to ask about Debby in emails he sent or phone conversations we had. It was usually “Best to Debby” at the end of his email. That meant a lot to both of us, because he really cared.
Stanton called me one night and asked me to check out a name he had been given about the Roswell Incident. It turned out to be Art McQuiddy, the editor of the other Roswell paper in 1947, The Roswell Morning Dispatch. When I asked where he lived, to my surprise Stanton said, “Roswell.” Within days I was in contact with him, met him at the Roswell Country Club for coffee, and had a long interview with him, which is posted on my website.
Stanton probably wouldn’t want me mentioning this, but several years ago we were both doing lectures at the Aztec, New Mexico UFO Conference and staying at a Bed & Breakfast in Aztec. Since I had the first lecture scheduled the next morning, Stanton said he would go with me to eat breakfast and set up. I came out of my room about 6 a.m., and in the hall was Stanton, in slacks, t-shirt and no shoes reading a tabloid on a table. I said, “Stan what are you doing?” He glanced at me and said, “I locked myself out of my room.” I laughed and said, “You’re a nuclear physicist—I’m not here to take care of you.” We laughed about that for years.
Over the years we did lectures together at several conferences such as Roswell, Aztec, and Angel Fire, New Mexico, Presidio, Texas and others. Those always gave me a chance to learn about this research from the master and have a little time together.
Stanton for years would proofread many of the editorials I wrote for my website and other sites, and he would usually respond quickly so they could be posted. We were on the late-night radio show Coast to Coast several years ago, and when the host asked about me, Stanton said, “Dennis is the researcher in Roswell other researchers go to for the answers.” That quote will remain on my web site as a remembrance I have for Stanton.
My wife and I extend our deepest sympathy to Stanton’s wife Marilyn and the children, who, like us, know we have all lost a truly remarkable person and UFO researcher who will never be equaled. These 23 years that I have worked with Stanton doing research and being friends will always be a part of my life, and I’ll cherish and remember that always.
Rest in peace Mr. Friedman 1935-2019
Dennis G. Balthaser
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This article was originally published in Dennis Balthaser’s website, “Dennis Balthaser: Truthseeker at Roswell,” on May 20, 2019. We’ve reprinted it here with Mr. Balthaser’s kind permission.
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Dennis Balthaser is a certified UFO investigator with MUFON and a member of the advisory board for the Great Pyramid of Giza Research Association. He has been featured in over 350 T.V. and radio broadcasts, including: CNN, MTV, Syfy, The Today Show, and Coast to Coast.
Dennis offers private guided tours of Roswell through Roswell UFO Tours. Approximately 17 different locations are visited during the tour, including the former homes of several of the first-hand witnesses. Since Roswell has a rich “old west history,” a few of those locations are included, as well as a drive through of a portion of the historical district, with the various architecture used in homes years ago. One of the most popular portions of the tour involves driving down to the Roswell Industrial Air Park, known as the Roswell Army Airfield in 1947 when the UFO Incident occurred. Many of the buildings are still there some 60 years later, including Building 84, where the bodies and debris were allegedly stored until being shipped out to other locations.
You can visit Dennis’s website or book a Roswell UFO tour by clicking on the following links:
