Steven Arnold Finck, 68

Steven Arnold Finck passed away Aug. 14, 2017.

Son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, friend and teacher, we all loved him. Steve was a good and decent man who was open to, and curious about everyone he encountered. Steve tended his relationships with the same devotion he gave to the plants and trees in his beautiful back yard. He had the ability to put folks at ease with simple questions and had a genuine interest in their responses. He was inspired by art, literature, history and nature.

Steve was born Oct. 11, 1948, in Wadena, Minn. His family moved to Kalispell in 1954 where Steve grew up exploring, swimming, fishing and hunting. He attended college in Dillon and graduated in 1970, the first to do so in his family, with a teaching degree. He first taught in Harlowton, then moved to Portland. For nearly three decades, Steve taught high school English in St. Helens, Oregon, serving as department head for a time. There, he worked tirelessly with his students to produce student newspapers and yearbooks. After retiring, Steve enjoyed traveling and gardening. He derived great joy from playing pinochle, pitch, poker and bridge with his family and friends.

Earlier this year, Steve suffered a recurrence of aplastic anemia, a rare blood disorder he fought to the end. The family is grateful to the medical professionals who cared for him, particularly the dedicated nurses at Compass Oncology.

Steve was preceded in death by his father, Arnold.

He is survived by his mother, Myra; his sister, Joan Williams; brothers, Mike (Julie) and Dwight (Carol); dear friend, Matt Tamalonis; his adoring niece and nephews, Tiffany and Craig Sweitzer, Joseph and Anthony Finck and, of course, Spike.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Be the Match, the National Marrow Donor program.