While David Stoecklein photographed everything from Chevrolet®, Jeep®, and Marlboro® to Stetson®, Coca-Cola®, Canon USA®, Epson®, Bayer®, and Copenhagen®, his passion was documenting the cowboy way of life—the men and women who knew a thing or two about hard work and making an honest living.

He lived by the code of the West. In fact, he photographed a book on the subject called Cowboy Ethics. His word was worth gold, and his handshake meant everything. He spoke his piece, but not before listening. He worked hard, played hard, and always made a stranger feel welcome.

In his honor, David’s wife, Mary, and their three sons, Drew, Taylor and Colby, have established, The David R. Stoecklein Memorial and Educational Foundation. It is a charitable not-for-profit organization designed to provide help to causes David cared so much about.The foundation is organized for literary and educational purposes. We provide grants, scholarships and educational programs to enrich the lives of individuals and through nonprofit organizations. The Stoecklein family shall continue on with David’s legacy, by keeping the western spirit alive through photography and his passion to help out others.