Steven L. Fielding, 68, Cedar City, Utah

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

"I have finished my day's work, I now go to begin my life's work."

Steven L. Fielding, medical doctor, passed away Saturday, May 3, 2008, of malignant melanoma. He was valiant in this life to the end, never complaining about his situation. Steven was born Jan. 11, 1940, at Idaho Falls, to Roy Edmond Fielding and Ethel Marvel Soelberg Fielding. He was raised in Jameston, Idaho, a small farming community east of Shelley, Idaho. His mother died when he was 21/2 months old, leaving behind eight small children. He is now having a wonderful reunion with her and other family members.

Steven attended school in Jameston at Shelley High School, and Ricks College, Brigham Young University Idaho at Rexburg, where he met his wife, Linda Braithwaite, Sept. 18, 1958, and they were married a year later Sept. 17, 1959, in the Logan Latter-day Saints Temple. He then attended Utah State University at Logan, where he did his pre-med. He also attended Weber State University at Ogden, Utah, and the University of Utah School of Medicine at Logan, graduating June 1965.

His internship was at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, which was affiliated with Ohio State University at Dayton. He graduated from the School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, then moved to Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, Calif. He later did his obstetrics and gynecology residency in New Orleans at Tulane University. Steven served in the Medical Service Corps and was stationed at Tachikawa Air Force Base in Tokyo and Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, S.D., during the Vietnam War. After nine years he left the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel to practice medicine in Idaho Falls; Rexburg, Idaho; and Lewiston, and then moved to Cedar City in 1986 to open a solo practice, where he remained until December 2004.

Upon his retirement, as best as could be calculated, he had delivered more than 20,000 babies, many of whom he later delivered babies for. He always felt it a special trust to help his patients bring new little spirits into this world. He said each one was another miracle that he had the privilege of witnessing. He had a very tender spot in his heart for pregnant women and it showed in his tender care for them. He often expressed his appreciation for the support of his many wonderful patients and the privilege of being part of their medical concerns and joys and for their trust in managing their health care needs. He never had an answering service and had his phone number published in the phone books wherever he lived, as his philosophy was, "If I'm here to serve the public, then the public needs to be able to get in touch with me." He had a deep respect for his many colleagues and associates with whom he worked.

A special thanks to his dedicated staff who remained with him through the many years. We lovingly called them "his girls." They continued to serve him even after he retired and also when he became ill.

Steven served as a Branch President, on six high councils, as a High Priest Group leader twice, as Young Men's President as well as many various other church callings including a home teacher. He was also an Eagle Scout.

He and his wife, Linda, are the parents of 10 children: Terri and husband Stephen Stockinger of Boise; Lorin and wife Brenda of Scappoose, Ore.; Gary and wife Jennifer of St. George, Utah; Keith of Mesquite, Nev.; Kenneth and wife Kris of Camas, Wash.; Daryl and wife Karen of Charlotte, N.C.; Bishop Eric and wife Shannon of Cedar City; Matthew and wife Brittney of Salt Lake City; Laurie of Cedar City; and Jason and wife Janell of Alexandria, Va. They have 43 grandchildren and one on the way and five great-grandchildren.

His family was the center of his life even though his medical practice took much of his time. In turn, he was the center of our family and was loved deeply by his children and grandchildren and especially his wife.

The following poem somewhat exemplifies how his children felt about him.

When daddy signs his name

He always writes "M.D."

That's so people all will know

That he belongs to me.

For "M.D." means My Daddy

or something just the same.

And that is why he always

Puts these letters on his name.

Some letters on his name are small,

But these are not you see.

He always makes them big like that

Because he's proud of me.

Indeed he was very, very proud of his large family of "freckle power."

Steven was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, two brothers, one sister, one brother-in-law, and a sister-in-law.

In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by a brother-in-law, Alan Thomas; brothers Jay and wife Joan, Don and wife Norma, and Ronald and wife Elouise; sister-in-law Marilyn Fielding; sisters Mildred and husband Daryl Peterson, Shirley Coffey, Elaine and husband Steven Finlinson, Phyllis and husband Gary Wade, Nadine Faile, and Ilene and husband Clair Palmer. Also, brothers and sisters-in-law Frank Randall, Ramon and Sally Kohler, Curt and LaVern Wilkins, Kent and Hannah Braithwaite, and Kent and Sherri Jackson.

The family expresses their sincere thanks to the many health care professionals who so lovingly and respectfully took care of our dear husband and father through tests, treatment and office visits. There are so many we decline to name them in case we overlook someone. Also, a special thanks to Iron County Home Health and Hospice Alliance for their dignified and professional care. They brought peace and comfort into our home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Cedar West Stake Center, 725 S. 1100 W., Cedar City, Utah. Visitations will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, both at Southern Utah Mortuary in Cedar City. Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation in his name to Valley View Medical Center Nursery and obstetrics department or to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Condolences can be made on the Web site at www.southernutahmortuary.com or by mail at P.O. Box 1770, Cedar City, UT 84721.