Stephen "Peter" Valentine III

SHERIDAN, Wyo. - Stephen Valentine III "Peter," 84, longtime resident of Birney, Mont., died July 1, 2010, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital from pneumonia.

He was a former resident of Wilton and New Canaan, Conn. He leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Christine S. J. Valentine. He was the proud father of five children: Stephen Valentine IV (Alice), Cary Randolph Valentine, John Dee Valentine (deceased) (Trudy), Samuel Titus Valentine (Annie) and Sarah Hull Valentine Jackowitz (Jerome), and his sister Louise Pattison. He had eight grandchildren and five step-grandchildren.

Peter was born Jan. 1, 1926, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and attended Brooklyn Friends School. He graduated from Princeton School of Engineering with degrees in both chemical and mechanical engineering. He worked for Socony Mobil for 20 years where his Master's Thesis was adapted for use in the catalytic cracking process of crude oil. He also worked for H.J Baker Co. He traveled all over the world with both companies.

After he married Christine in 1974, they moved to Birney, where he owned and operated The Ranch Store Inc. until 1981. In 1981, he was gifted another 29 years of life after a heart operation led by Dr. Hewes Agnew and the Cardiac Unit at Deaconess Hospital.

He later taught mathematics and science at Chief Dull Knife College in Lame Deer, Mont., until he retired. His greatest achievement in life was to be a wonderful parent to his children; his Quaker background supported his beliefs in the importance of family life.

In retirement, he produced four scale models of St. Labre Indian School for their 100th anniversary. He enjoyed model trains and had a special interest in models of Victorian-Age British soldiers. He scanned old family photos and transcribed the letters of his ancestors for his family.

An easterner at heart, Peter grew to love the wide open spaces of Montana, especially the Birney area. His happiest years were spent in Birney in the quiet solitude of the Big Sky along with his devoted and lovely wife, Christine. He was an active member of the Northern Plains Resource Council and opposed to the building of the Tongue River Railroad which he felt would desecrate the beautiful and productive Tongue River Valley.

Peter's family wishes to thank the following agencies for their loving care during his last month: Sheridan Memorial Hospital Staff and ER personnel; Billings Clinic Med-Flight; Billings Clinic ICU and ATU staff.

Cremation has taken place. The date and place of a service to celebrate his life will be announced later. Memorial donations may be sent to: Susan Price '86, Director of Alumni/ae, Brooklyn Friends School, 375 Pearl Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.