Story and photos by Jill Stephenson, staff writer
Growing up surrounded by veterans and medical professionals, Stadler’s life has been shaped by a deep family legacy of military service and medicine. His grandfather worked as a doctor at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and later studied how nutrition affected cardiac patients at the Cleveland Clinic. He also spent time as a research doctor in infectious disease work connected to Johnson Pharmaceuticals. Dave’s father served in the Navy during Vietnam, was active in a Vietnam veteran motorcycle club, and counted a Green Beret among his closest friends. This environment instilled in Dave a lifelong reverence for those who serve.
Nursing also runs deep in his family: his mother and grandmother were both RNs Dave and both of his sisters followed in their footsteps. Sadly, one of his sisters passed away two years ago at the age of 57.
When Stadler was twenty-one, tragedy struck his family when his older brother, who had served two enlistments in the Navy, died unexpectedly. Although he was denied entry into military service for medical reasons, Stadler has dedicated much of his life to giving back to veterans through the American Legion and its riding community.
He became a registered nurse in 2004 and spent 16 years as a trauma nurse in the ICU at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. He found deep fulfillment in helping people through the worst moments of their lives and later getting to see them return for visits after their recovery. He has also worked with Oklahoma’s Organ Procurement Organization witnessing firsthand the good that can come from tragedy.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Stadler served as a crisis nurse, spending 7.5 months as a FEMA contractor in San Antonio at Methodist Stone Oak Hospital, then returning to work as a COVID nurse at OU. He later served in Lufkin, Texas, in the same capacity.
In 2017, he transitioned from trauma nursing to peri-anesthesia care, a shift he made simply to change pace after years in high-intensity trauma work. In this role, he cares for patients waking from anesthesia, ensuring their safety and stability before they move on in their recovery. He has worked at St. Francis Hospital in this capacity for the last 2.5 years. He describes nursing as, in some ways, a selfish calling — one that gives deep meaning to his own life while allowing him to make a real difference in the lives of others’.
Stadler is heavily involved with the American Legion Riders (ALR), serving as Director of Riders for Post 308 (Mohawk Post) in Tulsa and as 2nd Vice Director of the Department of ALR for the state of Oklahoma. He began his involvement at Post 141 in Claremore in 2022 and recently served as road captain for the 2026 in-state Legacy Run.
He has been elected to lead the event again next year. He also works with Ducks Unlimited.
A defining experience came earlier this year in April, when he accompanied his father, a Vietnam-era veteran, on an Honor Flight. Through this experience, he observed that veterans who had a sponsor with them had a far richer, more meaningful experience than those who did not. This inspired the planning of Post 308’s motorcycle Poker Run in October. The event will sponsor the Oklahoma Warriors Honor Flight. The hope is to make the event an annual tradition. For the many veterans who have never seen the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall in Washington, DC, Stadler sees this as an opportunity for healing and to witness reverence and appreciation for their service.
Stadler is passionate about Americanism and the importance of instilling regard for those who serve. He worries that younger generations have come to view the pursuit of happiness as an entitlement rather than a privilege earned through sacrifice. He hopes to help restore a sense of American pride and gratitude: values he says were passed down to him by his parents and grandparents.
Dave has been married to his wife Chelle for 28 years. They have two children.
The Poker Run is scheduled for October 3rd. Registration begins at 10:00am at the Carousel Lounge: 4666 S. Mingo Road
For more information contact Dave Stadler: 918-260-5388 or [email protected]
