STEPHEN WAYNE JENSEN

1952-1982

Although he considered himself an amateur climber, mountaineering was playing an increasingly large role in Stephen Jensen’s life. His hobby had taken him to McKinley in Alaska, to Athabasca, Eisenhower, Assiniboine and many others in Canada, and to Chopikalki among the giants in the Peruvian Cordillera Blanca. He had dreams of many more and was working to make those dreams come true. His recent move to Colorado was a step on that path.

Stephen’s life was marked with vigor and excellence in everything he did. At age 23 he received a PhD in Physics from the University of California at Riverside. Shortly afterwards, he worked as a physicist at the National Bureau of Standards in Gaithersburg, Maryland and finally in Boulder, Colorado with the Bureau there. He was the author of numerous technical papers and an internationally recognized authority on high-resolution-beam lithography. Many a volleyball team he played on vied for a championship place.

His caring and giving attitude is well remembered. A saving grace of his many business trips was the opportunity they afforded him to visit friends throughout the country. His home was always open. The magnificent view from his newly-finished backyard deck that he built was a further reason that his home was always crowded. Stephen spent four years with the Riverside Mountain Rescue Group in California taking many a step to aid others. He was planning on becoming a leader for the Colorado Mountain Club, of which he was a member. He showed his concern for family and friends by staying in touch no matter where he travelled.

Stephen had a perpetual smile on his face, always radiating his love of life, people and God. Though his life was short, his drive, caring and total joy in living will be long remembered.

Stephen’s friends were not surprised to learn that his strength and drive had been key ingredients in what seemed to be a successful new route on the north side of Mount Logan. These hopes, the climb, and Stephen’s life were abruptly ended by an avalanche high on the mountain. He will be missed.

Ken Nolan and Judy King