Dr. Steven Lynn Fielding

"I have finished my day's work; I now go to begin my life's work." Dr. Steven L. Fielding passed away May 3, 2008, of malignant melanoma. He was valiant in this life to the end, never complaining about his situation. Steven was born January 11, 1940, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Roy Edmond Fielding and Ethel Marvel Soelberg Fielding. He was raised in Jameston, Idaho, a small farming community east of Shelley, Idaho. His mother died when he was two and a half months old, leaving behind eight small children. He is now having a wonderful reunion with her and other family members.

Dr. Fielding attended school in Jameston, Shelley High School and Ricks College (BYU-Idaho), where he met his wife, Linda Braithwaite, on September 18, 1958, and they were married a year later on September 17, 1959, in the Logan LDS Temple. He then attended Utah State University, where he did his pre-med. He also attended Weber State University and the University of Utah School of Medicine, graduating in June 1965.

His internship was at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, which was affiliated with Ohio State University. He graduated from the School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, then moved to Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, California. He later did his Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency in New Orleans, Louisiana, at Tulane University. Dr. Fielding served in the Medical Service Corps and was stationed at Tachikawa Air Force Base in Tokyo, Japan, and Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, S.D., during the Vietnam War. After nine years, he left the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel to practice medicine in Idaho Falls, Idaho; Rexburg, Idaho; Lewiston, Idaho; and then moved to Cedar City, Utah, in 1986 to open a solo practice, where he practiced until December 2004.

Upon his retirement, as best as could be calculated, Dr. Fielding had delivered over 20,000 babies, many for whom he later delivered their babies. He always felt it a special trust to help his patients bring new little spirits into this world. He said each one was another miracle that he had the privilege of witnessing. He had a very tender spot in his heart for pregnant women, and it showed in his tender care for them. Dr. Fielding often expressed his appreciation for the support of his many wonderful patients and the privilege of being part of their medical concerns and joys and for their trust in managing their health care needs. He never had an answering service and had his phone number published in the phone books wherever he lived, as his philosophy was, "If I'm here to serve the public, then the public needs to be able to get in touch with me." He had a deep respect for his many colleagues and associates with whom he worked.

A special thanks to his dedicated staff who remained with him through the many years. We lovingly called them "his girls." They continued to serve him even after he retired and also when he became ill.

Dr. Fielding served as a Branch President, on six high councils, as a High Priest Group leader twice and as Young Men's President, as well as many various other church callings, including as home teacher. He was also an Eagle Scout.

Dr. Fielding and his wife, Linda, are the parents of 10 children: Terri (Stephen) Stockinger of Boise, Lorin (Brenda) of Scappoose, Ore., Gary (Jennifer) of St. George, Utah, Keith of Mesquite, Nev., Kenneth (Kris) of Camas, Wash., Daryl (Karen) of Charlotte, N.C., Bishop Eric (Shannon) of Cedar City, Utah, Matthew (Brittney) of Salt Lake City, Utah, Laurie of Cedar City, Utah, and Jason (Janell) of Alexandria, Va. They have 43 grandchildren and one on the way and five great-grandchildren. His family was the center of his life, even though his medical practice took much of his time. In turn, he was the center of our family and was loved deeply by his children and grandchildren and especially his wife. The following poem somewhat exemplifies how his children felt about him.

When daddy signs his name He always writes "M.D." That's so people all will know That he belongs to me.

For "M.D." means My Daddy or something just the same.

And that is why he always Puts these letters on his name.

Some letters on his name are small, But these are not you see.

He always makes them big like that Because he's proud of me.

Indeed he was very, very proud of his large family of "freckle power." Dr. Fielding was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, two brothers, one sister and one brother-in-law and a sister-in-law. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by a brother-in-law, Dr. Alan Thomas, brothers, Jay (Joan), Don (Norma) and Ronald (Elouise), and sister-in-law, Marilyn Fielding, and sisters, Mildred (Daryl) Peterson, Shirley Coffey, Elaine (Steven) Finlinson, Phyllis (Gary) Wade, Nadine Faile and Ilene (Clair) Palmer. Also, brothers and sisters-in-law, Frank Randall, Ramon and Sally Kohler, Curt and LaVern Wilkins, Kent and Hannah Braithwaite, and Kent and Sherri Jackson.

The family expresses their sincere thanks to the many health care professionals who so lovingly and respectfully took care of our dear husband and father through tests, treatment and office visits. There are so many, we decline to name them in case we overlook someone. Also, a special thanks to Iron County Home Health and Hospice Alliance for their dignified and professional care. They brought peace and comfort into our home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 9, at the Cedar West Stake Center, 725 South 1100 West in Cedar City, Utah. The family will visit with friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Friday before services, both at Southern Utah Mortuary, 190 N. 300 West in Cedar City. Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Dr. Fielding's name to Valley View Medical Center Nursery and OB Department, 1303 N. Main, Cedar City, UT 84720; or to the Perpetual Education Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Condolences can be made on the web site at southernutahmortuary .com or P.O. Box 1770, Cedar City, UT 84721.

Family Tribute