Henry Stevens

Henry (Hank) Van Meter Stevens entered the world on June 26, 1936 in Sheridan, Wyoming. He was the beloved only child of Julia (Davis) Stevens and Raymond A. Stevens. He left this world on December 2, 2020, as the full Beaver Moon was setting in the West and a glorious new day was dawning in the East. Despite a number of ailments that sidelined him during childhood, Hank was known for his pranks in school. He proudly attended Reed College in Portland, OR in the 1950s, where he majored in social probation, climbing trees for new perspectives, and graduated with a degree in economics. Hank took an accounting position in Omaha, NE, where he met and fell in love with a spunky girl from Oklahoma named Thelma Stuart. They married in Pawhuska, OK on August 10, 1963, an exceedingly hot day. Their first home was in Cheyenne, WY where they were blessed with their first three children. They moved to Livingston, MT, where the family was completed with two additional daughters. Their last move took them to Billings, MT in January 1975 and they settled into a welcoming community. They have lived in the same neighborhood for 46 years and have worked tirelessly to pay it forward. As a result of spending 6th grade in bed with rheumatic fever, Hank developed a love of reading and technology. He was an avid reader throughout his life. His passion for reading and education led him to years of volunteering for Head Start (now Explorers Academy). He also volunteered in the Calvary Cemetery of St. Pius X Catholic Church where he worked with “The Bones Brothers” tending the grounds or on cold, blustery days, challenging them to a cribbage game. He was fascinated by technology of all kinds and was an early adopter and investor in The Computer Store in Billings in the 1980's. He spent the last years of his career as office manager (and patient) of Montana Heart Institute. His retirement years found him captivated by space exploration, rocket launches, and advancements in science. He enjoyed photography and had a special interest in capturing the moon in its many phases. On a full moon evening, he could always be found with a camera in hand, usually on top of the Rims, waiting breathlessly for the moon to peek over the horizon. He was also an animal lover, and enjoyed caring for the many dogs, cats, occasional rabbit and strays that crossed his path. His exuberance for life was evident in his response to quintuple bypass surgery on Valentine's Day in 1985. With Thelma's help enacting dietary changes, he embraced exercise and blessed us with an additional 35 years with his family. He never wanted to “miss out” on anything in life. Ever grateful for another day, his motto was “Carpe Diem!”. He was kind and generous, a patient listener and very adept at challenging one's thinking. Raising four independent daughters, Hank was the original “girl dad.” He supported his daughters whatever their passions, be it softball, basketball, mathematics, military service, music, sciences, history, theater or business. They knew there was nothing they couldn't do. He was known for making them breakfast, warming their cars on winter mornings and packing lunches, albeit with an occasional grapefruit or full head of cabbage. He loved classical music and the arts. He cherished the evenings when he and Thelma attended the Billing Symphony performances and Alberta Bair theatre events. The ride home from Christmas Eve mass always included a drive down Luminary Lane, followed by a race ending in either Dad's favorite “Handel's Messiah” or Mom's favorite Christmas carols. Hank is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Thelma, his daughters Lora (Matt Landon) of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, Krista in Billings, Rebecca (Kelli Pallansch) of San Francisco, CA, and his beloved grandchildren, Henry (Alexandra), Sebastian, Gabriel, Mariah, Brenna, Elizabeth, Peter, and Olivia, countless cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his son, Raymond, and his daughter, Julia. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Billings with interment at Calvary Cemetery when the weather warms. In lieu of flowers, donations in Henry's name may be made to an academic institution or scientific research of your choice.