Norden “Doc” Stefanides

Published 9:40 am Monday, April 1, 2019

1930 – 2019

Norden “Doc” Stefanides was born in Rochester, PA to Victor and Josephine Stefanides on July 26, 1930. He grew up in Chicago and graduated from Lane Tech High School where he played football. He also worked as a caddy at Tam O’Shanter Golf Course.

Norden went on to play football at Purdue, and then at the University of Missouri where he played linebacker and center while studying veterinary medicine. He met his wife Katherine Bentley there, and they were married two summers before Norden finished vet school.

After graduating in 1954, they moved to Hermiston, Oregon where he worked at the Hermiston Veterinary Clinic. He eventually bought the practice and for many years was the only veterinarian in town.

Norden and Kay raised three daughters in Hermiston. He often had one of the girls ride along on calls or assist at the clinic. The girls learned to care for different animals, many that Doc would bring home from work.

One of their favorite activities was skiing at Anthony Lakes. And, of course he taught the girls to golf. He was the starter for the local swim team, and although he had no experience, he was a self-appointed judge for the diving competitions.

When Doc retired, he and Kay moved to Albuquerque to be near Kay’s mom and their daughter Lynn and family. There he got to spend time golfing and developing his skill for wood carving. Doc would enter carvings in state fair competitions and earned several awards.

In 2004 they moved back to Oregon and settled in Bend. Doc continued playing golf, carving and spending time with his children and grandchildren. On his 80th birthday he played golf with two daughters, one son-in-law and four grandsons at Brasada Ranch, which was a big thrill for him.

Doc and Kay eventually moved to Arizona to enjoy the warmer climate and be near family. On March 4th, one month after his beloved wife Kay passed, Norden went to be with her. They had been married 65 years and it seemed he couldn’t go on without her.

He will be remembered for his work ethic, loyalty, love of family, his favorite saying “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!”

Doc is survived by his sister Caroline Huckshorn and brother Neil Stefanides, daughters Ann Jernstedt (Jeff), Holly Howerton, Lynn Kondryszyn (Miro), eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.