Dr. Steven Coulter

1951 - 2023

Dr. Steven Coulter

May 3, 1951 - June 24, 2023

Dr. Steven Coulter age 72, of Signal Mountain, TN, passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2023.

Dr. Coulter was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on May 3, 1951, the son of the late Albert William Coulter, III and Gwendolyn Dale Coulter. He graduated from Edison High School, 1969 where he was a National Merit Scholar and an All-City All State Swimmer. He transferred to Amherst after first semester freshman year from John Hopkins. Dr. Coulter left Amherst in 1972 for Washington University Dental School. After one year he left dental school to attend University of Oklahoma Medical School, graduating with distinction and AOA in 1977. He practiced from 1980 until 1989 as an internist. Dr. Coulter left practicing medicine in 1989 to join Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma.

He subsequently moved to Kansas City as Senior Vice President of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City and finished his insurance career as Chief Medical Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of TN, and President of Governing Business and Emerging Markets.

After one year of retirement, Steve joined Hospice and Palliative Care Training with Dr. Terri Melvin at Hospice of Chattanooga. He supported advanced practice nurses in that role.

He started skydiving in 1987, a passion that lasted for ten years and almost one thousand jumps. His passions and hobbies included photography, skeet shooting, his beloved dogs, and taking care of Seven Oaks farm with the support of our residential caretaker (and family member), Francisco Cacares. In 2003 he converted to Judaism, a dream dating back to college. Dr. Coulter's faith has been a great source of comfort and strength as he faced the existential issues that come with most of us in our fifties. His mission trip to Jerusalem/Israel in 2008 was a major highlight and validated his decision. Dr. Coulter was blessed with the guidance of Rabbis Phil Posner, Joe Davidson, Joshua Leif, Bill Tepper, Maynard Hyman, and Craig Lewis. He would like to be remembered first as a father, husband, and generous family man. Second, as a good and observant Jew, a mensch and third, as a good physician whose career (like many) took some unexpected turns, but ultimately was devoted to caring for people. His forty -year marriage to Beverly, his children, and his conversion to Judaism were his greatest accomplishments.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly Haesloop Coulter; two sons, Benjamin Joseph Coulter and Scott Michael Coulter; daughter, Dr. Sarah Margaret McKenzie (Andrew Douglas McKenzie); granddaughters, Savannah Drew McKenzie and Coulter "Coco" Malu McKenzie; brother, Albert William "Bill" Coulter, IV; beloved canines, Carson, Martini, Sophie, Golda; and grand-dogs, Wyatt, Gusto, and Jenny 2.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 26, 2023, at 10 A.M., Mizpah Congregation. Interment followed at Mizpah Cemetery and at the conclusion a Celebration of Life was held at Feinstein Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions be made to Mizpah Congregation, 923 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403, Welcome Home of Chattanooga, 3131 Quiet Creek Trail, Chattanooga, TN 37406, and Hosanna Community, 6410 Grubb Rd, Hixson, TN 37343.

Visit the online obituary www.heritagechattanooga.com to post tributes and share memories. Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel.