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Denton Arthur "Dan" Stephenfield

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Florida State University

Denton Stephenfield Obituary

Denton A. Stephenfield Denton Arthur "Dan" Stephenfield, 72, died Monday, May 12, 2003, after a long battle with lung cancer. He is survived by his wife, Mildred Stephenfield. A thanksgiving service will be at 5 p.m. EDT Friday at the United Church of Tallahassee. Family will receive friends following the service at 1020 San Luis Road. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308. Fairchild Burial & Cremation Services (386-8686) is handling arrangements. A native of Newark, N.J., he had lived in Tallahassee since 1981. Dan grew up in Newark and later moved to Florida, graduating from Orlando High School in 1948. He received a Bachelor of Science in 1969, a Master of Science in English education in 1984 and a Education Specialist Degree in English education in 1990, all from Florida State University. Dan worked several years for S.A. Jones as a finance manager in Vietnam and Africa. After returning to Florida, he took a teaching position at Golden Hills Academy in Ocala for three years. He then resumed working as a financial manager for S.J. Groves, this time in Saudi Arabia and Bolivia. In 1984 Dan returned to the teaching profession and taught American literature, film and journalism at the FSU Developmental Research School until he retired in June 2001. He received the Teacher of the Year Award twice. Those closest to Dan knew that he had found his ultimate calling when he began teaching, which was his real gift. Again and again, students returned to tell him of the difference he had made in their lives. In the last two years, his struggle with cancer was often eased by letters and phone calls from students thanking him for his contribution to their achievements. Dan was a member of Holy Comforter Episcopal Church for many years and a volunteer with Big Bend Hospice. Other survivors include three children, Sally Ann Bleichner of Geneva, Margo Gilbert of Tallahassee and Robert Gilbert of Sarasota, and five grandchildren, Ryan, Eric, Jenny, Robby and Ashley.

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Published by Boston Globe on May 14, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for Denton Stephenfield

31 Entries

Amy Albertson

May 30, 2003

I would not be the same person I am today without Mr. Stephenfield. He acknowledged my talents and continuously encouraged me, as he did with all his students. We not only lost a great teacher, but also a great friend. Thanks for everything, Mr. Stephenfield. You will never be forgotten.

Leslie Cannon Sellers

May 28, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield was by far, the best teacher/mentor I ever had in my 13 years at Florida High. I have thought about him so many times after graduating and always have the warmest feelings. He was caring, honest, sincere and funny all in one. He would tell me that I was like a grandaughter to him and he meant it when he said it. I will truly miss his sweet soul and can't wait to meet him on the other side.

Yolanda Franklin

May 27, 2003

Thanking you for teaching me to teach. My prayers are with family and friends.

Chris Foy

May 23, 2003

Dan Stephenfield:

To our most special of guides,

those who help us (everyday) to understand our world,

and the extraordinary beauty within which we reside...

til we one day part with this physical body's pride.

Those who showed us how to live each day greater than the last,

and dwell not (good, or bad) on the past.

So we may all decide, not out of fear, hate, or spite...

but how to take each day to greater heights, and then... at night...

REJOICE!!

To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived,

this is to have succeeded.

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Deanne Foy

May 22, 2003

I am honored to be one of the blessed that had the opportunity to know & care about Mr. Stephenfield. He could make you laugh even when you wanted to cry and always had a kind word even when you didn't deserve it. Dan was truly one of a kind, and I can only hope to touch half as many lives in my time as he. My thoughts and prayers are with all he knows and loves; he will always be with us!

Jonathan Foy

May 21, 2003

The greatest teacher I ever had just left to learn from the best.....He tought me what it meant to actually watch a movie and look at life in a completely different perspective that will always live on.....Save a place for me, rest in peace.

Chris Heil

May 21, 2003

You were one of the best. You will be missed.

Mark Hamilton

May 21, 2003

I will never forget an incredibly kind man, who always believed in me, even when there wasn't necessarily much to believe in. The world we have now is a worse place, but I am a bit jealous of God, of course. Thanks for everything you did for me, Mr. Stephenfield.

Matt Callahan

May 21, 2003

Mr. Stephanfield was by far my favorite teacher in school. His love for writing and movies will be missed almost as much as his sense of humor and witty personality. I will miss him dearly and my condolences go out to his family and friends. Rest in peace Dan, my prayers are with you. Matt

Camille (Van Matre) Austin

May 21, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield was truly a great teacher, mentor and role model. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family for the loss of their loved one and to all others who were affected by his caring and generosity. He will be truly missed.

Cindy Foy

May 21, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield will be missed by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing such a great man. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and many friends.

Cindy Foy

Ryan Harris

May 21, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield will always be remembered as a loving teacher that gave each and every student the personal attention he/she needed. He knew how to change his approach depending on the student's personality. He was a leader in the teaching profession and his loss will be greatly felt.

Erika Bowen

May 20, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield was a gentle and very humble man. I really looked forward to his English classes while at Florida High. He had a very soothing almost angelic kinda of voice, and a smile that could calm the masses. He was an inspiration to me, and it was an honor to have been one of his students. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Erika Bowen c/o 1994

Jamelle Brown

May 16, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield taught me English at Florida High School there in my hometown of Tallahassee, Florida. I can truly say that he was one teacher who believed in his pupils' potential. He provided a conducive environment for learning and growth. He will surely be missed.

I will leave you with this quote from Revelation 21:4

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away"

Regards,

Jamelle Pruden (Brown)

Class of 1991 - Florida High School, D.R.S.

Amy Walls (formerly White)

May 16, 2003

Mr.Stephanfield was my most memorable teacher at Florida High. He had a way of motivating students and bringing out the best in ALL of us, which was not always an easy task. I will always remember him for taking a special interest in his students. He was my #1 volleyball fan. Even after graduation he helped me through a difficult time in my life. I later got to teach with him as a colleague at Florida High. As his health started to dicline I knew I would always cherish the times we spent together.

Carrie Cravens

May 16, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield was one of the most memorable teachers I had at Florida High. He taught me alot about things I never would have paid attention to. He was a great inspiration to all of us and he will be truly missed. My condolences go out to his family.

Julie Pitchford (use to be Johnson)

May 15, 2003

I could go on and on about the memories I have about Mr. Stephenfield. He was a kind and gentle man that everyone loved. He made my years at Florida High a lot better. He could always keep your attention no matter what he was talking about or what he was showing in class. My funniest thought of Mr. Stephenfield was him with his hearing aid and how he always had to turn it up to hear you. He was a wonderful man and one that will never be forgotten. I give my blessings to his family and to all the former students of Mr. Stephenfield. He has left a part of himself in all of us. He will be truly missed.

Katrina Kittendorf

May 15, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield was a gifted and caring teacher and is within the most treasured memories I keep from high school. He was a great man who I felt lucky to count among my friends -- it was like having a second father. He will be greatly missed and a large void will be left in many hearts and lives.

Kirsten Kittendorf Brazier

May 15, 2003

We have lost a very great man. I am often recalling things He taught me both in class and in casual conversation. Dan Stephanfield made a difference in my life and I will miss him.

Jon Barber

May 15, 2003

Dr. Stephenfield was always genuine and interested and made it easy to transcend the teacher/student relationship to form a lasting friendship. Fond memories include him dramatically adjusting his hearing aid to imply, "What did you just say?," introducing me to the great movie classics and finally, whizzing an eraser within millimeters of Brian Snow's nose, mostly because he though it was funny.

Alanna French

May 14, 2003

He is my favorite teacher at Florida High. He knew how to push his students to want to learn. This is a large loss to all the hearts he touched over the years. He will be missed.

Marcia Howard

May 14, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield was indeed one of the most caring teachers I ever had. He always encouraged me and believed in me. He had a heart of gold. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. May God bless you...

Alyssa Martinelli McManus

May 14, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield was one of the best teachers I ever had at Florida High. He was also a wonderfully kind soul. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Lynne Witherspoon

May 14, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield was a wonderful mentor and teacher to all. He will surely be missed. I will always have fond memories of him and how he touched the many lives of everyone who entered his classroom.

Layna Peacock Kirkham

May 14, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield will be missed by all. He was a very dear man that had a special place in many of our hearts. I will never forget him.

Matt Bender

May 14, 2003

The teaching profession lost one of it's best ambassadors, and we lost an amazing person.

Michelle Patrick

May 14, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield was a well respected teacher and friend, and will be greatly missed. I am sorry to hear of your loss.

Kerri Caudill

May 14, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield was such a strong, respectable, and wise teacher. He was always very approachable and sincere. I will always remember his sense of humor most of all. He will truly be missed by many.

Amy Mellow (formally Caudill)

May 14, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield was a wonderful teacher and friend. He was such a inspiration to me through out my years at Florida High. I just lost my Mother to cancer after her long battle, and I know it is very hard on the person and there family. He will be greatly missed.

God Bless

Shelley Carico

May 14, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield was my English teacher for multiple years at Florida High School. He was a wonderful teacher & I will never forget him. I will miss him dearly & give all of my support & love to his family.

Lori Cummings Hamilton

May 14, 2003

Mr. Stephenfield was a treasured teacher and friend who touched the lives of many.

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