Walter B. Stevens, 92

A few days after celebrating his 70th wedding anniversary to his cherished wife, Patricia, Walter Brock Stevens, of Hopkins and formerly of Austin, Minn. died Sept. 14, 2024 at the age of 92.

He was the eldest of five boys born to Walter and Stella Stevens in Chicago.

Walter, or Brock as his family called him, graduated from Blue Island High School in 1950 and Grinnell (Iowa) College in 1954. He met Patricia at Grinnell after a Pioneers’ football practice, and the couple wed two years later in Brentwood, Mo. They made their first home in Oklahoma City, where Walter was an Air Force officer.

An MBA from the University of Chicago offered Walter new opportunities. He worked at The Harris Bank, Universal Oil Products, and George A. Hormel & Co. in Austin, Minn., from which he retired in 1994 as a senior executive.

Patricia and Walter loved to learn and travel. They visited all 50 states, saw Europe, Australia/New Zealand, China, Russia, and went on special heritage visits to Lithuania and Great Britain. They relished collecting Tea Leaf pottery in the “wild” or through Tea Leaf International, in which Walter was extensively involved. While living in Austin, Walter enjoyed playing tennis and golf and participated in many community organizations including Friends of the Austin Public Library, Summerset Theater and SMIG. He loved to share his knowledge and expertise whether that was coaching YMCA flag football, or serving as treasurer of the First Congregational Church of Austin.

Walter also loved to share his appreciation for Stephen Sondheim, William Shakespeare, the Minnesota Orchestra, Cole Porter, martinis, W.C. Fields, fine dining, and great books. He was a generous host, skilled card player, adept storyteller, and trivia master. Walter would forever remember at least one particular about the people he met, whether that was their hometown, alma mater, singular accomplishment, children’s activities, or drink order.

Walter is survived by his wife of 70 years and two weeks, Patricia; children Christy Stevens, San Jose, Calif.; Laurie Pryor and son-in-law Jon, Minnetonka; Brock Stevens, Minnetonka, Margaret Stevens, Minneapolis; three grandchildren, Emily Pryor Winton (R. Cameron); Genevieve, Jack, Silas; Thomas Pryor (Catherine), Clementine, Ned; Samuel Pryor (Lauren), Henry, Watson; brothers, David, James, John, and Gregory, and their spouses; sister-in-law Barbara Hirsh; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Leon Hirsh.

Memorial service is 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, 5000 W. 50th & Hwy. 100, Edina MN 55346. Visitation begins at noon.

Remembrances in Walter’s name may be made to Grinnell College’s Liberal Arts in Prison Program c/o Grinnell College 733 Broad St. Grinnell IA 50112; the Terry Dilley Symposium, Inc.: the Austin Public Library; or charity of your choice.