Stephen Howard Bair

Stephen Howard Bair, 79, of Fremont County, Colorado, passed away peacefully in the care of Hospice on July 9, 2026. He was born on September 20, 1946, in Springfield, Missouri, the first child of Orval H. and Lillian E. (McBride) Bair. A proud member of the Baby Boomer generation, Stephen often noted that his parents met while serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Raised primarily in Topeka, Kansas, Stephen graduated from Topeka West High School in 1965. He enlisted in the Kansas National Guard to help finance his education at Washburn University. During the Vietnam War, he was called to active duty and served at Fort Carson, Colorado, before receiving an honorable discharge in 1972.

That same year, he married Katherine Flanigan and made rural Colorado his lifelong home. Together they welcomed two children and were later blessed with grandsons.

Stephen earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern Colorado. He was a gifted artist who worked in many media, specializing first in clay and hydrostone sculpture before later focusing on richly colored, textured pastel landscapes. His work, deeply inspired by the natural world, was exhibited throughout Colorado, the American Southwest, and Europe.

Stephen was a man who truly marched to the beat of his own drum. He possessed an endlessly curious mind and remained a lifelong learner, exploring psychology, biology, philosophy, world religions, history, and politics. He found peace in nature, especially while foraging for wild mushrooms.

Those who knew Stephen will remember his creativity, intellectual curiosity, deep appreciation for nature, and his remarkable ability to make every conversation engaging, and memorable. His warm smile, generous embrace, and genuine interest in others left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

He is survived by his former wife, Katherine Bair; his son, Lucas (Terra Kelly) of Flagstaff, Arizona, and grandson Nathan; his daughter, Megan of Galena (Sheldon Roberts) of Windsor, and grandson Zadrian; his grandson, Justice (Geneva) of Fort Collins. As well as siblings, Douglas, Janet (Michael) Carpenter; brother-in-law’s, Patrick Flanigan and Iraj Daftarian, sister-in-law Susan Ducat,and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orval and Lillian Bair, and his sister, Sandra.

During his final days, Stephen faced life's closing chapter with courage, compassion, and a wonderful sense of humor. His family is deeply grateful for the love and strength he showed until the end. They also extend heartfelt thanks to Pikes Peak Hospice for providing a peaceful place for family to gather, and to the friends and staff at the Bruce McCandless Veterans Community Living Center, where Stephen enjoyed spending his final years.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to plant a flowering tree or a small herb garden, then gather with family or friends to share apples and cheese while watching the sunset—a simple celebration Stephen would have loved.

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