Stephen EUGSTER

Stephen Kerr Eugster passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. A skillful lawyer driven by a unique moral compass, an often controversial figure in Spokane politics, and an eccentric intellectual with a passion for animals and old Volvos, Steve was a one-of-a-kind Spokanite who made a significant impact on our community.

Stephen (Steve) was born on May 14, 1944, to George and Helen Kerr Eugster in Wayzata, MN. He grew up in nearby Mound where his father ran Mound Hardware. Steve grew up across the street from his elementary school, but often regaled his children with stories of miles trudged through cruel mountainous Minnesota winters in the pursuit of an honest education.

Upon graduating from Mound High School in 1962, Steve headed West, perhaps to pursue a Methodist education and more importantly to ski. At the University of Denver, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, President of the DU Inter-Fraternity Council, and graduated with a BS in Political Science.

He attended the UW School of Law, receiving a Juris Doctor in 1969. Steve was the managing editor of the Washington Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif.

Steve began his law career in Washington, D.C. in 1970 with Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). He was assigned to the Washington Research Project, which later became the Children's Defense Fund.

Steve returned to Seattle and was recruited by Davis Wright Tremaine. In Seattle, he enjoyed mountaineering, hiking, and skiing in the Cascades, summiting Mt Rainier and Mt Baker.

In the late 1970s, Steve moved to Spokane to practice law with Lukins & Annis. In 1990, he opened his law practice. In 1989, he married Marilee Roloff and became stepfather to Andrew Walters. In 1990, Steve and Marilee had a daughter, Annelise.

In the 1990s, Steve focused on the future of Spokane; he advocated for and became an authority on the strong mayor charter. He was elected to Spokane City Council in 1999 and he served until 2003.

Steve was often at odds with city leaders. He was notably opposed to the use of public funding ventures for private enterprises. While his causes or tactics were not always embraced, Steve used the law in every way he could to make Spokane a better place to live.

Steve envisioned a revitalized downtown. He partnered with his brothers and contractor Al Blalock to form a business, they named it Mound Hardware, in honor of the Eugsters' father. Under Steve's leadership and Al's craftsmanship, Mound Hardware redeveloped three turn-of-the-century buildings.

An animal lover through and through, Steve adored dogs and cats - and took in several strays. Many dogs accompanied Steve on car journeys short and long. He often drove to Rimrock to walk the dogs and enjoy the view. Steve also fashioned a vacant lot into a clandestine neighborhood dog park, where he could be found attending to fences, garbage, and green space so dogs could run free.

Steve also loved to drive. During college summers, he drove a gravel truck in California. Family trips always found Steve behind the wheel, often taking the scenic route below the speed limit. All the better to finish a book on tape, some appropriate for children such as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and some not, such as biographies on Stalin. Steve regularly volunteered to ferry his children back and forth across the state, often there and back in a day. He also loved driving into Lincoln County on the old Highway 2. When Steve would talk about becoming a truck driver, his friends and family would roll their eyes. Later in life, Steve shocked them all when he earned his long-haul trucking license.

Steve is survived by daughter Annelise, son Andrew Walters (Elizabeth Mischke), brother Jack Eugster (Camie Eugster), sister-in-law Sue Eugster, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers George "Bud" and Ulrich.

Our family would like to thank Cindy Lawson, Steve's secretary, bookkeeper, and friend of nearly 30 years. We are grateful for the patience, kindness, dedication, and support she's shown, Steve.

In leiu of flowers, please donate to SpokAnimal. A celebration of Steve will be held in July. Please visit https://tinyurl.com/honorsteve if you wish to attend.