Published: May 21, 2025
Kendal at Oberlin is home to more than 300 people in their 60s and well beyond. They come from near (Oberlin and Cleveland) and far (Hawaii, Canada and elsewhere). The residents share many common values, such as sustainability and lifelong learning, and many have ties to Oberlin College. But each resident has his or her own unique story.
Meet Ellie and Carleton Stock
When the Stocks decided to look for a retirement community east of their home in St. Louis, Kendal at Oberlin was not on their radar because they didn’t know the community existed. Ellie’s sister in nearby Vermilion planted the seed and within a month, sight unseen, the couple joined the priority list.
“It’s our kind of place,” says Ellie, about their new home, now a year old. Ellie and Carleton easily list what sold them on the life plan community, from its Quaker values and strong leadership to music and educational opportunities and environmental activism.
Both Ellie and Carleton are retired ministers, having met at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and served congregations together in Pittsburgh, Rochester, NY and St. Louis.
“We have centered on environmental ministry in our retirement to address the current climate crisis,” says Carleton, which is why they were excited to learn of Kendal’s Environmental Concerns Committee and the community’s involvement in Senior Stewards Acting For the Environment (SSAFE). Resident Ted Wolner, who is on SSAFE’s Board of Directors, heads up the Environmental Concerns Committee.
“Kendal’s sustainability work is impressive,” Carleton says.
One of the seven goals in Kendal’s current Strategic Plan (2022-2026) is to “Greatly strengthen and extend Kendal at Oberlin’s conservation and sustainability initiatives, including cost-saving measures and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, consistent with the City of Oberlin’s Climate Action Plan and recommendations from its Climate Adaptation Task Force.”
Activities underway include solar installation, reducing exterior light pollution with energy-efficient lighting, replacing mowers, go-carts and vans with electric models and decreasing food waste.
In January the Environmental Concerns Committee started a monthly environmental film matinee (with popcorn), followed by conversation. “We’re not on Planet Earth, we’re of Planet Earth,” the Stocks like to say.
The Stocks have also gotten involved with Kendal’s Indigenous People Interest Group, whose aim is to educate the community about the original inhabitants of this land. The group is working with the Environmental Concerns Committee, the Horticulture Committee and The John Bartram Arboretum at Kendal at Oberlin to organize a fall Native American tree walk on campus.
“Ellie and I have three focuses – protecting democracy, protecting Mother Earth and protecting the marginalized and oppressed,” Carleton says.
The daily joys of Kendal
Like many residents, the Stocks appreciate being around so many talented musicians who regularly perform concerts and organize informal musical gatherings.
“That’s definitely a perk,” Ellie says.
So is the vibrant and diverse community. “Every person you sit with at evening meals are more fascinating than the next,” says Carleton, adding “These people have been around.”
The couple enjoys playing pickle ball and table tennis, English Country dancing, and taking walks around Kendal.
In years past the couple has traveled on mission trips to Peru, India and elsewhere and hope to return to Peru this fall to continue their work on reducing lead and other pollution. And summer means a week at Chautauqua Institution, a summer arts, education, religion, and recreation enrichment center in upstate New York.
“Kendal is a lot like Chautauqua, but it’s year-round,” Carleton says.
