Alan Charles Stevenson
Al Stevenson died January 22 after living a decade with dementia. He was born to Charles and Eleanor Stevenson in Phoenixville, PA, and spent most of his childhood in Idaho Falls.
A graduate of Idaho Falls High School, Al went to the University of Colorado, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He transferred to the University of Minnesota to earn a BA in Economics.
He found his life's occupation while volunteering at a school for the Deaf in Quito, Ecuador through Peace Corps. At Teachers College Columbia University in New York City he earned a Masters in Education of the Deaf and Hearing Impaired and met his future wife. His first teaching position was in St. Lawrence County, New York.
Al married Catherine Sharpsteen and together they served two years as Peace Corps Volunteers in Seoul, Korea. On returning to the States, they moved to Logan to work for the Utah School for the Deaf. For 26 years Al taught students with hearing impairments in Cache, Box Elder, Weber, and Salt Lake Counties. He loved his students, and especially enjoyed teaching them math.
Al was a guy who couldn't tell a lie, and never intended to hurt anyone. He kept the dishes washed, the lawn mowed, and he liked it when everyone on the road followed the speed limit. He never missed a day of work. At restaurant gatherings Al would calculate each person's share to the penny and he was always the banker at Monopoly games.
He loved family, friends, dogs, baseball, deserts and mountains. And microbrews. He arrived early to parties and didn't stay late. If he had a new puppy or one of his kids won a competition, he'd fill you in on every single detail.
As a strong hiker, Al held a special place in his heart for the mountains of Idaho and the red rock canyons of Utah.
Preceded in death by his parents, Al is survived by his wife, Catherine Sharpsteen; sister, Betsy Stevenson Wachter; brother, David Stevenson; daughter, Kayleigh; and son, James.
A memorial reception will be held Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, in Millcreek. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the north side of the building.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to the skilled and compassionate staff at Silverado Senior Living. To honor Al's love of desert canyons, and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance at suwa.org.