On Saturday, November 25, 2023, Steven Carlson Phippen, age 69, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in his Draper townhome after a short and intense battle with stomach cancer.
He was born to Joyce and McKay Phippen in Salt Lake City, Utah, On September 7th, 1954. He was one of eight children raised in Holladay, Utah, and Graduated from Olympus High School in 1973, where he wrestled, played football, and fostered friendships that he maintained throughout his life.
Steve served an LDS mission in Toronto, Canada, and Married Wendy Webb in 1979. They welcomed three daughters, Paige, Lindy, and Haley. Steve loved coaching all his daughter’s softball teams. He was later promoted to the caring and maintenance of the chalk lines at the Alta High School Softball field. A job he relished and performed with the utmost precision.
He was an avid snow skier; one of his greatest joys was teaching all three of his daughters to snow ski. He could be seen with a large camcorder atop his shoulder, filming his girls as they skied through the trees. Best friend John Zarbock further fueled his passion as he turned Steve into a heli-skier. It was the trip of a lifetime that they took over and over and over again.
Steve loved his time at Bear Lake, where he taught (or forced) all his daughters to slalom ski. Steve loved being on the water and in the boat with his family, still getting up on a slalom at age 69. He loved traveling with his family and touring US history sites.
Steve’s drive, ambition, and tenacity led to his great success in business. He worked in orthopedic sales for 39 years. Starting as a sales rep with Zimmer, and later building his own distributorship with Depuy. After selling his company, he began the later part of his career with Ortho Development. Steve loved his work and the close relationships he forged throughout his career. No one ever heard him complain about going to work. He loved his job and remained a valuable asset to Ortho Development up until the day of his passing.
Steve was a natural athlete. He loved exercise, cycling, snow skiing, waterskiing, surfing behind the boat, and scuba diving. He loved being outdoors so long as his hands didn't get too dirty. Steve loved music, song lyrics, concerts, and reading books with a highlighter in hand. He kept many journals, all meticulously labeled and dated.
Steve was always impeccably dressed, neat, tidy, and organized. Everything he owned was categorized with his trusty label maker, easily the hardest-working appliance in his home. Neighbors would mock as he cleaned his garbage cans with soap and water, and much to his daughter’s embarrassment, he would help the car washers wash his car.
Steve had a great sense of humor and a quick wit. Like his mom always told him, that smart mouth of yours is going to get you into trouble someday. And it did, many times.
Steve was a proud father and grandfather he will be sorely missed.
Survived by Daughters Paige (Ryan) Ahlstrom, Lindy (Mason) Smith, Haley (Gabe) Turner, and grandchildren Milly, Reese, Haddie, Mack, Gwen, and twin boys on the way. Former wife, Wendy Webb Phippen. Siblings Jim (Pam) Carlson, Paula (Walt) Price, Annette (Rich) Nichol, Reggie (Cheryl) Phippen, Trent (Holly) Phippen, Wade (Anji) Phippen.
Preceded in death by brother Lance Cook Phippen and Parents McKay Cook Phippen and Joyce Annette Carlson.
Please join us as we commemorate and honor the life of Steve Phippen. A viewing will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 10:30 am-12:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E 10600 S Sandy, UT 84092.
Followed by a memorial service at 12:00 pm at The Chateau at Le Jardin, 1910 East Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, UT 84092.
Those wishing to view the COMPLETED services via Zoom can click "Watch Services" or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/42g7Yz0Q0oelUyRMuNKAyYlg114lucXSTXKQQuMcPgwF4XDeHq7fEKHdM5xSj7Oy.XUNS-5eoQoGsPk5z?startTime=1701369844000
Great guy. Such a shame. He died so young.
The memories I have playing football with him and the kindness he showed for my dad will always be in my heart. My thoughts and blessings go out to his entire family. The world is a little more sad at his passing. Go titans
I knew Steve well as we grew up in the same neighborhood along with his parents and siblings. A dynamic and caring person who's presence in any group is appreciated. I have wonderful memories of his entire family!
We are so sorry for your loss. We feel it too. We feel so fortunate to have been friends with Steve. We will cherish our memories. Much love to family and friends.
I am saddened to hear of Steve's passing. Such a wonderful, kind man. My deepest condolences to Steve's loved ones.
I really don’t know what I'm going to do without you. You have been one of my best friends, for as long as I remember. I love that we always stayed in touch. My daughter Ashley said your very lucky, because now you get to see her dad Tony. Personally, I wish you were both still here. I will miss your phone calls to just say hi, & ask how I was doing. I’ll miss your laugh, our stories of our amazing children, but most of all, I’ll just miss you.
I never knew you were sick, & I think that’s why this is so hard. It was just so fast.
Have fun reuniting with all our great friends & family that went before you. I bet Lance is excited to see you.
See you, when I see you.
Love you forever my friend, Deb
It is very difficult to sit down and write this because my heart goes back, but I would like to send my deepest condolences and sympathy to Steve's family and to his close friends.
I knew him well throughout my younger years and have so many wonderful memories of Steve and will keep those memories close to my heart. It's never easy to say goodbye and to think of someone as simply gone from this earth. To not have the chance to say goodbye. Sometimes mourning someone from a lifetime ago has to be done in private.
Needless to say, the people who had him in their lives were lucky to be touched by his sense of humor, friendship, and love. I know he will always be a part of their hearts and lives as they remember the simple day to day nuances of his big personality.
Farewell to you my long lost friend and may God be with you.
Love,
Debs
Our family loved Steve we are all so deeply heartbroken. He is hopefully with Tony and they’re talking all their great times together. Rest in Peace Steve we all love you. The Chlepas Family
Dear Phippen Family,
I watched Steve's service today. What a beautiful tribute to a great man. The stories were all so wonderful. Paige, Lindy and Haley, thank you for your tributes to your dad.
I went to school (junior high and high school) with Steve. One of my favorite memories of Steve was in either 8th or 9th grade (sticking with 8th). And again my memory fades, was it a talent assembly or the assembly announcing the school elections???, anyway, it was set up like the Tonight Show and Steve was Johnny Carson (Flygare...Ed McMahon...yes?). He was just amazing...so entertaining!
I last saw Steve at our 50th class reunion, as always, funny and friendly. I will miss him and his great personality.
Steve and I met in the late 70’s when he worked for Tovey’s Sporting. Goods. We became good friends and I called him on his wedding night to sing “You Light Up My Life”! That was a standing joke we shared and when we connected 4 years ago in Dallas, that song was a great way to remember fun times. RIP Steve, and my heart condolences to your family. Fond regards my friend! Tim