Ernest Lenert Stech

Ernest Lenert Stech, 90, died Saturday, June 3, 2023 at HopeWest Hospice Care Center in Grand Junction, Colorado.  He was born February 15, 1933, in Cleveland Ohio and was the son of Ernst and Christine Stech.  He graduated from Fairview Heights High School in Ohio, and received his masters and Ph.D. from the University of Denver.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.  He was a professor of Speech Communication and taught for many years at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  After teaching, he then was president of an engineering firm in the Denver Metro, working on designing cockpit equipment for the U.S Military.  His life-long love of nature and the outdoors led him to volunteer for the Flagstaff National Monuments in Flagstaff, Arizona, his longest association being with Walnut Canyon National Monument.  He loved the outdoors and in later years, spent time hiking and enjoying the Colorado National Monument and the Grand Mesa in Grand Junction, Colorado.  He also loved to write and contributed numerous articles for the Emeritus Voices publication at Arizona State University, and was a published author with contributions in speech communication, business communication, and leadership communication.  His connection with nature was always strong, and he used to say...".whenever you see a tree....think of me!"

He is survived by his wife, Yvonne L.Spaulding, children Hilary Knight (Paul), Lisa Stech (Tom O'Bien) of Kalamazoo, Michigan,  Bill Stech (Margaret) of Chelsea, Michigan, and Preston (Staci) of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and several grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place with arrangements with Browns Cremation Service in Grand Junction, Colorado.  A private memorial service will take place at a later date.  Memorial contributions in Ernie's name can be made to HopeWest Hospice and Care Center or the National Parks Foundation/Conservancy.