Alum quite busy in retirement
Stenkamp ’80 family homesteaded in the Bend area over 110 years ago where he was raised and graduated from Bend HS. For two years, he attended Central Oregon Community College with a forest products degree interest, which would entail a transfer to Oregon State University in Corvallis. Having grown up in the high desert, Stenkamp was not thrilled about the high precipitation in the Willamette Valley. With an affinity for good weather and potential for skiing at Mt. Ashland, he made Southern Oregon State College (SOSC) his choice for a transfer.
On campus, Stenkamp gave up 45 credit hours that would not transfer as he focused on earning a business degree at SOSC. “Losing those credits was actually a good thing for me in terms of a maturation process,” he said. He became a Resident Assistant (RA) in Forest Hall then later, the Cedar Hall Head Resident (HR) and enjoyed the leadership aspect of being responsible for 50-100 people from diverse backgrounds, through campus housing. “I learned a lot about human dynamics and the ups and downs of young people finding their way in an academic and social setting. I learned to treat people fairly and they will have your back even if you are not there to win popularity contests,” said Stenkamp. “The entire experience was a real-life practicum.”
Academically, he enjoyed Tom Hitzelberger’s challenging business classes and expressing his opinion among his peers in class. One of Stenkamp’s proud moments on campus was his senior project, conducting surveys and publishing a report about saving the old Swedenburg House (now the Plunkett Center) on the north side of campus. In some small way, he believes it helped to preserve the building, which got an overhaul and refurbish in the early 1980s. His senior year was the best as he was able to be an HR, take a full schedule academically, get in 52 days of skiing and make the honor roll.
Steve graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business June of 1980. He immediately got involved in the ski industry working at Mt. Bachelor part time and helping to restore the Willamette Pass Ski Area between Eugene and Bend. His supervisory experience at SOSC veritably helped him in the real world. Over the years, he became a volunteer with the Bend Fire Department and spent over a decade teaching woodworking, mechanical drawing, architecture and fire science at Bend HS. In 2014, he was hired full time by Bend Fire Department then retired in 2019 so that he could enjoy “seven Saturdays per week!”
In 2016, Stenkamp took an interest in the history of ski areas in Oregon. By 2018, he started a Facebook page about Oregon’s Lost Ski Areas, conducted boots on the ground research across the state then published a book with the same title in 2024. “I’ve experienced passion and fun combining my love of the outdoors with research of the old ski areas in this state,” said Stenkamp.
Additionally, Steve served on the Bend City Council for four years and also as mayor for two years and has served on the Bend Metro Parks board and volunteers for the United Way and the Deschutes Historical Museum.
Southern Oregon State College was a trifecta for me: It was a good academic challenge; it had a wonderful social atmosphere and there were many outdoor opportunities.
Learn more: Oregon’s Lost Ski Areas
