Stoltenborg Leaves Behind A Large Legacy

When Marco Island Police Department Captain Rich Stoltenborg  walks out of his office on Thursday he will be leaving behind over 40 years of law enforcement experience and knowledge, as he will be retiring for a second time in his distinguished law enforcement career.

Stoltenborg first retired from the Ridgefield, New Jersey Police Department in 2010, this after serving 30 years with that agency, having risen through the ranks to eventually become the chief of that 60- man department in Bergen County, New Jersey just across the Hudson River from the City of New York.

If Ridgefield is a familiar name, it is because both Stoltenborg and former Police Chief Al Schettino worked within that same agency prior to Schettino’s retirement and move to Marco Island and his eventual ascension to the position of Chief of the Marco Department.

Stoltenborg was familiar with Marco Island due to the fact his mother and father built a home for retirement here in the early 90’s and Stoltenborg would visit his parents often on vacations.

After Stoltenborg’s retirement in Ridgefield he came to Marco Island to assist his ailing father and help his mother with those challenges. His father’s valiant battle with cancer would last only a few months after Stoltenborg and his wife Jane would make the move to the island. He would join the Marco department and originally spent two years with the agency which was then headed by former Collier County Sheriff Don Hunter for a total of three years. He would return to the department in 2014, first serving as patrol officer and then went into the Investigation Bureau prior to being promoted to the rank of Captain to oversee both the Investigative Bureau as well as the Road Patrol Division, during a reorganization of the structure of the department.

“Captain Stoltenborg has been an exceptional officer and member of the Department’s Command Staff, ensuring the community is given the quality of service they deserve and have been accustomed to. Rich’s credentials and experience, along with his abilities to mentor younger officers is a great asset to the department and the citizens of our community,” said Police Chief Tracy Frazzano.

While in New Jersey Stoltenborg was active in youth boxing and brought that same passion with him to his adopted home in Marco Island. He established the Marco Island Boxing Club which would mirror his involvement with the Dover Boxing Club in New Jersey, which he and co-founder Ed Leahy began together.

The endeavor was begun to enhance the future of youth here in the greater Marco area by introducing them to the art of Olympic style boxing. It would mirror the programs he and Leahy ran in New Jersey. 

Islanders have been entertained over the years when exhibition matches brought in youngsters from as far away as Ireland and from throughout Florida and New Jersey to demonstrate their skills. Those exhibition matches have been held at  Veterans Community Park, the JW Marriott Beach and Golf Resort as well as the Hilton Beach and Spa Resort. Stoltenborg is quick to compliment the generosity of the Marco Community and businesses for helping  to sponsor those events.

“The program we run is to provide for a structured way for youth to exercise, while at the same time 

developing character, confidence and discipline,” said a smiling coach and mentor.

Rich Stoldenborg is one of those special individuals who has no doubt left a positive mark during his lifetime of service to his communities and his peers and is best represented in a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt.  “Some people are going to leave a mark on this world, while others will leave a stain.”

Thank you Captain Stoltenborg and your entire family for all you have done for our community.