My Obituary

The class was Journalism 250. The assignment was, well, a bit macbre. Write your own obituary. Why? Well, because many cub reporters who found themselves working in newsrooms are given that task. It's a minial job, but obviously an important one. As an 18-year-old college freshman, the assignment gave me an opportunity to look at my life at that point and celebrate my accomplishments. Now as a nearly 50-year-old, I thought it would be a good exercise again. Steve Bennett, 49, RIP.

Stephen Theodore Bennett of Central Point, Oregon died unexpectly at the age of 49. Born on September 29, 1974, Steve was born hours after Nolan Ryan threw his third career no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins, which may have spurned his love of baseball. He was a big baby and the doctor who delivered him predicted he would become a football player.

Throughout his early life, Steve's love of sports and competing became his focal point. He was a good athlete who hated to lose. While baseball was his first love, the sport that loved him back was football, which opened doors for him. He was recruited to play football at Southern Oregon University where he was a two-year letterwinner. Steve became a father early in his life, first with Michael in 1997, then Markus in 1999 and Victoria in 2001. Steve graduated from SOU in 1999 and embarked on an eight-year career as a sports journalist. In 2004, he went back to school to become a multimedia marketer and spent nearly 20 years working as a marketing specialist. 

Steve was a wondeful writer and published his first and only book in 2022 about the history of football at SOU. In 2013, Steve married Meggan, and in 2015, they welcomed daughter Olivia. 

He ran marathons, despite packing more than 260 pounds, and would often tell people if he could do, anyone could. He was able to get his MBA in 2021, and despite not being a great student in his youth, graduated with a 3.7 GPA. He was someone who always tried to live his life the right way, even when the world was sometimes against him. Steve was passionate and stubborn but also loyal and determined. He could be quiet and introspected, but also someone who tried to lead by example. 

He had a love of sports, and very much enjoyed watching his children compete in various sports. 

Steve is survived by his parents, Ted and Jeanne, brother Richard, wife, Meggan, children Michael, Markus (Katarina), Victoria (Gabe), stepsons Soren and Harlin and daughter Olivia. He is also survived by three grandchildren.  

There will be no service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the SOU football program.