Scott J. Steffen's Obituary
Scott J. Steffen, 61, of Anna, Texas, born in Milwaukee, WI on April 19, 1962, to Harold and Evelyn (nee Manegold) Steffen, passed away on January 13, 2024, due to complications from a motorcycle accident on December 13, 2023.
When Scott, her only child, was born, Evelyn became a stay-at-home mother and remained actively involved in his upbringing, including his participation in cub scouts and the PTA. Harold, Scott's father, was deeply supportive and engaged in Scott's youth sporting events. In 1974, Harold's company transferred him to the Dallas, TX area, and the family settled in Richardson. During his high school years, Scott developed a passion for running, which later evolved into a successful career as a competitive runner, where he held records across the metroplex.
Scott married Wendy, his first wife, in 1987, and they had three children together: Danielle, Travis, and Alison. During this period, Scott achieved sobriety, which he maintained until his passing, nearly 35 years later. In 2001, Scott met Heather, his second wife, and they married in 2015. Early in their relationship, he embraced Heather's son, Kyle, who was 5 years old at the time, as his own. In 2019, Scott and Heather purchased their first home in Anna, TX, where Scott lived until his passing.
As his children grew up, he took pride in attending their sporting events, where he could be found cheering from the sidelines. When his own children had kids, he continued to show his unwavering support by attending their soccer, basketball, or football games, dance recitals, and track/cross country meets. Whether running up and down the field, sitting in the stands at track meets, or racing across the cross-country field, he was always their biggest cheerleader. His last sporting event was attending his granddaughter Kinsley's soccer game, a memory he treasured. When not at a game, Scott enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren at an ice cream shop, the park, or watching classic 80s comedy movies during their sleepovers. Scott cherished his grandchildren dearly.
Scott’s passion for running started in his sophomore year of high school. As a senior, he ran his first Dallas White Rock Marathon in 3 hours and 58 minutes. He then took 10 years off from the sport and came back with a vengeance, participating in various events such as corporate challenge events for the Texas Instruments track team Texins, Luke's Locker track meets as a sponsored member of their team, Plano Pacers meets, and local road races. Whenever he traveled, Scott made sure to sign up for local road races to stay active. In 1996, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of participating in the historic 100th running of the Boston Marathon. In 2001, he received an invitation to compete in an exclusive marathon in Tokyo, Japan, which was a significant achievement for him. Over the years, he participated in several Dallas Marathons and Relays. His love for running also became a bonding experience for him and his boys. He bonded with Kyle at the Plano Pacers races and was influential in Kyle’s running on the middle school and high school track and cross-country teams. He and Travis would often run after work or on the weekends after Scott took to the streets as a casual runner. His final race was the Dallas Marathon Relay, which he ran alongside Travis in 2017.
Scott often said he ran so he could eat and eat he could. He loved a good home-cooked meal, and both wives did not disappoint. He loved to try hole-in-the-wall places, especially if they served BBQ, burgers, or had great desserts. One of his favorite places to ride to was Muenster, TX, a German town. He would bring home a selection of meats and cheeses for a charcuterie board dinner. Scott loved sharing a meal with family and friends.
Music was a significant passion for Scott. He was constantly either listening to music or singing. Throughout his life, he attended numerous concerts, including those of Boston, Rush, Jethro Tull, Aerosmith, and the Rolling Stones. Concerts were also a shared interest for Scott and Heather. Heather succeeded in persuading him to attend a Cody Johnson concert, a remarkable feat considering Scott's strong aversion to country music. Scott amassed a collection of concert t-shirts and kept many ticket stubs from concerts dating back to the early 80s. He and Alison often engaged in conversations about music, reminiscing about his concert experiences, and discussing which albums she might enjoy.
In the early 2000s, Scott developed a passion for cigars. He initially smoked at home, but when Havana Jims, now known as the Smoking Lamp Cigar Lounge, opened in Allen in 2008, Scott was thrilled to have a cozy spot to smoke during the winter and a comfortable place during the summer. "The Shop" became the starting point for many enduring friendships. Scott often spent Monday evenings, fondly referred to as "nerd night," playing Risk. Wednesday nights were designated as "Guy's Night." Travis and Kyle frequently joined him for these gatherings. Additionally, Scott and Heather spent numerous Friday and Saturday nights at the shop with other couples, engaging in lively discussions, playing euchre, and watching sports events. The shop was also the venue for many New Year and Super Bowl parties with Scott's fellow cigar enthusiasts.
The year 2008 marked an exciting milestone for Scott when he purchased his first motorcycle, a blue 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 900. This purchase ignited his passion for riding and introduced him to a new circle of friends, his fellow road warriors. Scott thoroughly enjoyed organizing and leading rides for his MeetUp group. He had a particular fondness for riding the back roads, especially those with twists and hills, as they added to the thrill of the ride and satisfied his adventurous nature. In August 2015, Scott and his friend Richard embarked on a memorable journey to Sturgis to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the rally. Scott's love for riding extended to visiting his daughters, Danielle in Bryan and Alison in Austin, using his motorcycle as his preferred mode of travel. Over the course of 15 years and four motorcycles, it is estimated that he had covered approximately 230,000 miles on his beloved bikes.
Scott dedicated 22 years of his career to Texas Instruments and had been a valued member of the University of Texas at Dallas staff for 15 years until his passing. His professional journey not only defined his work ethic but also nurtured numerous friendships that transcended the confines of the workplace, extending into his personal interests such as running, cigars, and motorcycle riding. These connections bore witness to Scott's ability to forge lasting bonds beyond professional settings, enriching both his professional and personal life with a network of cherished friends.
Scott leaves behind a profound legacy characterized by his love, passion, and unwavering dedication to his family and friends. Throughout his life, Scott's deep affection for running, motorcycles, music, and his loved ones defined his essence. His adventurous spirit and warm presence touched the lives of all who knew him, and his absence will be deeply felt. Scott will be fondly remembered for his vibrant zest for life and his remarkable talent for bringing joy to those around him.
Scott was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Evelyn Steffen. He is survived by his loving wife, Heather Ashley, his daughter Danielle Dunkle and her husband Nick, along with their children Garrick, Lainey, Kiley, Kaleb, and Kinsley. He is also survived by his son Travis, his wife Heather Danielle, and their children Chase, Hailey, and Brennan. Additionally, he is survived by his daughter Alison and his son Kyle Burtch, along with Kyle's wife Kirsten.
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