This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.

Goodbye Uncle Scott

I got the news today that my Uncle Scott passed away. He was a great family man, and one of the most generous people I've ever known. Being here in Japan is very difficult for me because I can be there to say my goodbyes and comfort his family in person. He will be greatly missed. My heart is with his close family and friends during this very difficult time.

Here is a sketch of his life that I thought described him better than I ever could:

Scott's Life sketch

Scott Francis Stephens was born April 9th, 1950, Easter Sunday and was taken much too soon. He passed away at home May 30th surrounded by his wife, Debi; brother, Pat; Mother, Ruth; and sister, Cathy.

Scott was the second child of Ruth and Troy Stephens in a family that included his older brother, Donald Troy, his younger sister, Cathy Stephens Foutch, and younger twin brothers, Mike and Patrick Dana. He lived a life rich in memories as he grew up in Pocatello, Idaho. His was a life lived to the fullest and he was proud to say he accomplished every goal he ever set for himself.

Scott himself chronicled some favorite childhood memories to his wonderful family members. "Long hot summer days, fireworks, learning that "hotter than a firecracker" was a true statement. I remember going on trips to Chicago and Louisiana on the train. It took 3 or 4 days to get there. Waiting for the conductor to fall asleep so we could gather up pillows. Mom would break out the lunch basket and it was hard to tell how many fried chickens she had in the basket. The interesting thing about her fried chicken was that it got better after about two days. You felt like eating the bone and everything. I don't really remember too much else in that basket but boy do I remember that fried chicken."

Scott was reminiscing to his brother Don, "I remember your 55 Chevy like it was yesterday, baby blue with a white pearl gearshift knob. I was only 14. I knew how to drive but I didn't have a license. I'd been driving since I was 12. You taught me, when we went fishing with Dad. Remember Meters Fish Farm? Dad would walk down through those weeds where the deer flies were so thick you thought they were going to eat you alive before you got there. I remember sometimes, we would stay behind in the car and drive around on the top of that hill in Dad's car. You taught me pretty good.

The day you let me take your 55 Chevy, I'd picked Leo Merrick up and we had gone to his girlfriend's house. If you had looked up the word "cool" in the dictionary, you would have seen my picture. I can't remember what her name was, I think it was Sherri. Anyway, she came outside and we went and got a coke, drove around for a little while, played the radio real loud, I'm sure. When I took her home, her brothers and friends (about 10 in all) were outside waiting for us. I don't know why I did it, but while I was leaving, I thought I would squeal the tires. I really didn't know how to do it very well and that car was so powerful, that when I let up on the clutch, it just sounded like 3 big bangs: Bang, Bang, Bang. I thought, oh my word! Don's going to kill me! I was really gentle driving it home and it really didn't make too much noise, but I knew that something was seriously wrong with the rear end or the transmission. When I got home, I just parked it. I didn't know what was going to happen, but I knew I was going to get behind Mom. You went out to drive your car away, came back in the house, and tried to hit me. You said, "What did you do to my car?" I lied, of course and said "Nothing, it was fine when I parked it." For the next week and a half, you and Ray Hacking spent your time underneath it, repairing the damage."

Deer hunting stories with his Dad and siblings abound. This was a major highlight every year and Scott and his son, Michael, have hunted together for several years now because of his rich childhood memories. Scott's Dad was his biggest hero.

School was always a struggle for Scott. A counselor from his Junior High School informed his parents they may as well put him in a trade school, as he was not smart enough to learn. In fact, he graduated from High School with a very poor record but had a drive to succeed that few people possess. His determination was incredible and his life speaks to that.

Scott's journey began when his brother, Don, helped him get a job in a Nursing Home at the age of sixteen. He learned that he loved to care for people. He learned he had a special gift for this and his goals developed from there.

Scott was briefly married at 21 and this union produced a son, Jason, now 30. Jason is a tall self- assured person who Scott loved and cared about deeply.

Scott entered college in San Jose, California while working in a very busy emergency room as an orderly. He remembers it was unusual not to get a stabbing victim in at least once a night. The experience he obtained here would prove invaluable in a career that required him to react quickly in emergency situations. College was as much of a struggle as high school had been. A very caring college professor took the time to connect Scott with people who taught him phonics and the ability to read and spell. Scott described it this way. "I met Mr. John Hasser, my Microbiology teacher. With his help, my whole life was changed. Instead of getting all D's and F's, I was on the Dean's list every year. I'll never forget the day I was in my little house on Villa Street. I was in the back room where I studied. I had to have it be completely quiet. So I took ceiling tiles and put them on every surface of that room, including the doors. It was so quiet in there; you could just go in there and hear absolutely nothing. I was reading my Micro book and I spelled out the word Pneumonia. I stopped for a moment and looked at it and couldn't believe I had spelled it myself. I started crying in that little room. No one was around but me, but what an accomplishment." He became a Registered Nurse at age 28 and moved back to Pocatello 6 months after graduation because his father was recovering from Open Heart Surgery. Family was always his highest priority. In August of 1979, Scott met the love of his life, his soul mate, Debi, while they were both working as nurses at Bannock Memorial Hospital, in Pocatello. His journey continued as they married June 14th, 1980, had a beautiful daughter, Sara Kathleen Stephens, October 12th, 1981, and Scott and his brother, Pat, earned their baccalaureate degrees in Nursing together, May of 1984.

A highlight in their lives was the day Scott applied for Anesthesia school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Out of 20 people, 6 were chosen for the program. When asked why they should choose him in light of his questionable high school grades and advanced age (33), Scott convinced then with one statement. He said, "I have a unique ability to rapidly develop a one on one relationship with people." Not only was he chosen, but the other students took him aside one day to ask him NOT to work so hard because he was making them look bad. He did not back off, though, because he was passionate about what he was doing. The other students nicknamed him "Rambo". Scott was asked to stay in Sioux Falls upon graduation because he was so gifted, but the journey was to continue in Boise, Idaho. During a Billy Graham Crusade in Boise in 1985, Scott and Debi choose this as the place they wanted to raise their family. Michael Scott Stephens was due to be born on graduation day, but waited long enough to be born in Idaho, August 20th,1986. Days later, Scott started working for Anesthesia Associates as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, providing anesthesia at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center. Scott remembered something that was said to him when he first started. "One of the Anesthesiologists came to me and said, 'We don't need any wounded soldiers. We have enough.' I made up my mind at that particular time to be the best soldier they had. I wanted to learn it all. When you are taking care of someone and you have their life in your hands, it is like they are part of your family. That person becomes the center of your universe." He worked at St. Luke's for eleven years and also worked with his partner and wonderful friend, Troy Britton, doing freelance anesthesia in Mountain Home, Ontario, McCall, Sun Valley, Weiser, and the Veteran's Hospital. His favorite place to freelance, though, was in Emmett at Walter Knox Memorial Hospital. There was something magical about the town and its people. Scott loved everything about his job in Emmett and the people he cared for. In 1998, Scott changed jobs to provide 7 day a week, round the clock coverage of anesthesia in Emmett. He and his family built their dream home and became a part of the community. His motto was, "Taking Care of One Person at a time." Scott is so missed. He would have easily said, "I wish I could have spent one more day at work."

His other passion was his family. If he wasn't working, he was home. He was the king of his home because he made his wife the queen.

Scott was a major influence on his daughter, Sara's choice of career. He frequently encouraged her to strive to be her best, and to pursue a life work that she would find enriching and ever-challanging. Scott's passion for medicine and his aggressive-assertive nature can definitely be seen Sara. Sara is well on her way to becoming a baccalaureate degree Registered Nurse at Carroll College in Helena, Montana.

Michael is an amazing person as well, and is often told by others that he reminds them of his Dad. He possesses his father's loving and caring nature, frequently hugging people in his father's compassionate way and showing genuine concern. It will be so exciting to see what wonderful things the future holds for him.

Scott has always had an innovative mind. Even during his illness, he and his sister spent many hours dreaming up a business which he saw become a reality, thanks to Cathy's strong desire to honor his dreams. "World Famous Scotty's Dogs" had it's grand opening in Emmett two weeks age. So, if you happen to be walking down the street in Lava Hot Springs, and see a bright, colorful hot dog stand and a woman wearing a hugh colorful hat, stop and get a hot dog. They're the best.

Scott would say to you if he could, "I wish you all of the happiness that I have found. It's there. All you have to do is live it." About time, he would say, "TIME is a valuable commodity that we own. It's kind of like real estate. There is only so much of it. Don't waste it." As far as being a good example, he said, "The strongest teacher we can be is by example. Actions are key. Your actions tell people what you are all about." He said about his life, "The Lord has a plan for each and every one of us. You have to be strong and accept that plan, and live your life as best as can be by being honorable, reliable, available, and concerned." He would also tell us to have no regrets. In a letter written to his family years ago he said, "If something should happen to me before I come home, I just want my family to know, I love you with all of my heart. Don't be sad. Think of the good times. Take care of each other because that is all that we really have. You all have done so much for me. I love you so much. I'll always watch over you if I can. We will all be together one day, soon, with God. Please don't forget the peaceful side of life. Don't fight or hurt anyone. Take care of yourselves and I'll see you soon. All my love. You are me and I am you. love you, Scott". For our current situation, he says, "When you are so sad inside, and you don't know if you can go on, that is when you need to slap yourself and say, if I am hurting this bad, what is everyone else feeling. In any situation, given the opportunity, everyone can be a hero. There will be many opportunities to be a hero."

Well Scott, you are our hero. You have left an incredible legacy for your wife, Debi, children Sara, Michael, and Jason, as well as your precious Mom, brothers, Don, Mike and Pat, sister, Cathy, and your many, many friends. Angels watch over you.

Back from Hawaii

Well, I’m back from Hawaii and had a great trip. I’ll write about it an share some pictures when I get a chance. I came back feeling refreshed, and determined to spend more time living life and hanging out with those that I love, and less focused on things like work that aren’t really as important as they always seem.

You can probably expect to hear less from me on this site than you were before, but it will hopefully be of a higher quality. I have decided to put more effort into my writing here, and to focus more on some of my other projects. One priority: getting the Akatombo Media website up and running. I will then be writing a lot of my design discoveries and thoughts, and the joys and trials of running a business in a foreign country on that site.

---