Dr. Roy P. Stonesifer, Jr. taught history at Edinboro University for over 30 years. Hundreds of his students have become teachers, historians, and park rangers at civil war battlefields. His knowledge and enthusiasm for history, especially about the civil war, was passed on to all who came in contact with "Stoney."

Dr. Stonesifer wrote numerous articles on military history and was co-author of a book on the life of Confederate General Gideon Pillow.

Stonesifer was a graduate of Gettysburg College and Penn State University.

He served as an officer in the U.S. Army in the 1950s and worked for the National Park Service on several Civil War battlefields.

Stonesifer was a co-founder of the Flagship Niagara League and founded the ship's first recreated gun crew which led to the creation of the ship's company-that site's living history group. The Flagship Niagara League was influential in the restoration of the U.S. Brig Niagara and the Erie Maritime Museum; one of the most modern and vital maritime museums in the United States.

Stonesifer was co-founder of the Erie Civil War Round Table which not only meets regularly and shares knowledge with others, but is responsible for the construction and dedication of the Strong Vincent Memorial on Erie's Bayfront as well as two markers on Little Round Top at Gettysburg; highlighting Vincent's role in the battle.

Perhaps Dr. Stonesifer's greatest accomplishment, that has stretched beyond the political borders of our region, is his legacy that lives on in those he taught. Countless students in many states have been taught and continue to be taught by teachers who had Dr. Stonesifer as their teacher (while students at Edinboro). His love of history and his dedication to his students lives on in those he taught.

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