Phillip Glenn Stelma

It was a grey and drizzly day on March 28th, 1954. Magpies congregated around the three garbage cans behind the Sun Valley Hospital, now the third floor of the Sun Valley Lodge. The incessant squawkings were soon drowned out by those of a child. One that would help sculpt our Wood River Valley in more ways than one.

Phillip Glenn Stelma was born to the farming community of southern Blaine County. A time where all were expected to help, even the kids (I believe driving was mandatory once one could reach the steering wheel, with or without a stack of phone books). Actual blocks of wood were wired to the pedals of his father's big ol’ grain truck! It really did “take a village” back in the 50’s and 60’s, and this would help shape the hard-working man that Phil would become.

Just because Phil started work young, that didn’t mean he didn’t get to be a kid. Oh how cool it must have been to build those tree forts down by the Bigwood, sharing a can of campfire beans with Sam Meyer, Dan Brown and Pat McGonigal amongst other friends. It was a special time, an era that could never happen again. Truly hidden places deep in the woods, he knew them all. Progress doesn’t matter much when you’re catching fish for dinner. Be it known, if not camping, or “sneaking out”, kids had to be home before dark. This reverse last call was often initiated by the familiar "Phhilllluppp" hollered out the back door.

Growing up in a large but tight-knit family meant there was always a cousin to play (or get in trouble) with. Phil learned to hunt with his father and uncles. Perhaps, maybe, just one time, waiting in the back of the truck with a dead deer waiting to punch the tag if the game officers wanted to “chat” on the drive home.

Phil met Evan Lister at Wood River and the two were soon inseparable. They traveled for work and even slept in a teepee til late November in Driggs. “The igloo water jug is frozen again… time to find a motel”, they agreed. Soon their first son Colin was born and they wouldn’t live in anything less spacious than a Smiley Creek sheep wagon. A second son Nick came shortly after and the nomad days were over. The family made memorable times with trips to the lakes, camping, and floating down the Bigwood in the spring trying to avoid log jams and snags. One time , Phil and Nick were standing atop a root ball with ripping water on all sides as Phil pried his slowly taco-ing canoe off the slippery mass with his paddle. He did get it, and that ol’ Coleman has a bent frame to this day.

If reckless abandon isn’t your thing, let’s talk skiing. Phil was one hell of a skier, and part of yet another one-off generation. Phil saw an amazing amount of change in skiing technology, from floppy old wooden edges and soft leather ski boots to the stiff metal laminate-shaped skis we have today. It’s like swapping a lawnmower for a Maserati. He tried them all and got to do it damn near his whole life. With ski racing ever in his blood, Phil worked tirelessly to make and keep The Hailey Ski Team a reality. Countless kids were shown the beauty of skiing. Several world-class athletes were born from the programs he championed. A few Olympians, some big mountain legends, and countless local mountain shredders can at least tip a hat to Mr. Stelma’s commitment to the little hill called Rota-Run and its kids.

Most of all, Phil Stelma could swing a hammer. He was good, real good, but if you crossed Phil Stelma, it may be in your direction! Phil ran countless job sites through construction companies such as Storey, Loomis, Demberg, and many more. From Idaho to Colorado, Phil’s passion for quality and a product to back it up made him a “go-to” for countless clients.

Phil’s construction background and strong work ethic would lead him to help at the Grand Mesa ranch of Laura Vaughan, who he met in the Wood River Valley. After following Laura to Colorado for a change of scenery (and ski resorts), Phil got back to the farming and ranch life he was born into. Winter was construction in Vail, and much of summer was ranch time. Along with helping Laura, Harry, and Louise on the ranch chores, there was also time for riding his horse high on the mesa. Watching sunsets with Laura and the dogs made every second of work worth it. Although Phil loved the ranch, he ultimately returned home to help take care of his mother, Phyllis. This trade-off also gave him more time with Colin and Nick. Phil also cherished any time he could spend with his two granddaughters Allie and Annie.

Phil is survived by his siblings Glenda, Donnie, and Danny, his former wife Evan, son Nick, and granddaughters Alexandra and Annabelle. He was preceded in death by his parents Glenn and Phyllis and sons Colin and Alexander.

A celebration of life for Phil is scheduled for Saturday, June 13th from 12-2:30 at Hop Porter Park in Hailey, Idaho, with a service at 12:30. Please come share a story and have a bite to eat!