Stephen Scott Wright

Mar 12, 1954 -

Jun 10, 2021

Stephen Scott Wright, 67, of Eagle River, Alaska, passed away at Providence Alaska Medical Center with his wife of 34 years Sarah and his daughter Chelsea at his side. He was born on March 12, 1954, in Denver, Colo., to Marjorie (Midge) and Valdon (Rocky) Wright. He spent his early years in Colorado. The family moved to Shaker Heights, Ohio, in 1965. With a fascination in the natural world around him, Steve graduated from University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in oceanography engineering in 1976, and from University of Texas at Austin with a master's degree in geology in 1980.

He began his 40-year career as a professional geologist in Denver in 1980. In 1982, while living in Boulder, Colo., he met the love of his life and future wife, Sarah Thompson. Steve and Sarah were married in Key Largo, Fla., in 1986, and became parents in 1988 with the birth of their beautiful daughter Chelsea Paige Wright. In 1996, the family traveled to Alaska to celebrate their 10th anniversary. While sitting at the light at Eagle River Loop and Montague, Sarah mused "how people get to live in a place like this." One year later Steve was transferred to the newly opened Anchorage office and we purchased a home within a mile of the intersection. With their four-legged pack-mates always ready to go, they began to explore and enjoy adventures throughout Alaska. Whether cross-country or downhill skiing and snowboarding in the winter, or hiking, paddling any and all floating craft and camping in the summer, Steve loved sharing every aspect of life in the Last Frontier with his family.

Steve was a strong and active proponent for the power of education throughout his adult life. He took elementary school students fossil-collecting while in grad school in Austin, recruited and mentored young geologists starting their careers from many U.S. universities, led world-wide groups of professional colleagues on annual geology field seminars and served on many boards and committees for the University of Alaska, the Alaska Geological Society, the Municipality of Anchorage and the State of Alaska. Steve thought of Alaska as geology-heaven, and he enjoyed giving public presentations on the varied aspects of the geologic history of Alaska. Steve also enjoyed boating and scuba diving, live music, cooking, RVing, traveling and most of all spending quality time with his wife Sarah, his one true soulmate, and his daughter Chelsea. He is survived by his loving wife, Sarah; daughter, Chelsea; and brother, Brent.

Steve's life was cut short by an incomplete diagnosis by an OPA physician. No service is planned at this time. Sarah and Chelsea will celebrate his life by remembering his uniquely amazing character - kind, generous, interesting and passionate. His light burns brightly in the hearts of all who knew him. If you should encounter either Sarah or Chelsea, celebrate him by sharing a memory you hold in your heart. Donations in Steve's honor can be made to the Alaska Geological Society, P.O. Box 101288, Anchorage, AK 99510.