Jon R. Stephens
May 26, 1942-Feb. 15, 2013
Palo Alto (and Pacifica), California
Submitted by Mike Stephens

Jon Stephens, died on February 15 at his home in Pacifica, Calif. Born in Great Falls, MT in 1942, he was 70 when he died. He lived in Palo Alto for 42 years.

Two of his favorite activities as a child were pushing large rocks off the cliffs below the falls at Ryan Dam in Montana and searching for Native American artifacts. At the time there were 11 small residences at the dam. He grew up in the tenth, but it and several others have since been destroyed.

He graduated from Great Falls High School in 1960 and then got his B.A. in mathematics and philosophy from the University of Chicago. He moved to Palo Alto to pursue a career in educational publishing and later studied graduate statistics at UC Berkeley.

After semi-retiring from a career in publishing, he both volunteered and worked as a tutor for children, teens and adults in all levels of math.

He loved math, coffee, Joan Jett, sharp writing, Nero Wolfe mysteries and all things Montana.

He served in the Vietnam War and was delighted to return to Vietnam as a tourist last year. He had no religion but found camaraderie in the Palo Alto Humanist Community. Until he died he was the editor of the Humanist Community?s monthly newsletter.

He is survived by Marie, his wife of nearly 43 years; his only child Mike, an attorney, and Mike's wife Tala; two grandchildren, Jezreale and Casandra; his 80-year-old brother Keith; and Keith?s extended family.

Tags: veteran, teacher/educator