Derwood "Woody" Stephens

Derwood "Woody" Stephens of Covington, Kentucky passed away peacefully at his home on March 7, 2017, at the age of 76, surrounded by his family.  He was born on October 19, 1940 in Windsor Ontario Canada, to parents Donald and Barbara Stephens.  He attended Crystal Lake Community High School, where he ran track and played basketball, graduating in 1958.  He went on to earn his BA degree in Economics at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana in 1963, where he continued to run track, and was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.  Following college, he entered the high-performance alloy industry as a salesperson for Haynes International.  In 1968 he and a partner ventured out on their own, starting their own specialty metals company in the aerospace industry, Atek Metals Center.  After 30 successful years, they sold the company to Rolled Alloys.  Woody stayed on with them in a sales management capacity, traveling to Europe and the Pacific Rim until he retired in August 2008.  Woody had been an avid tennis player, played daily, until knee surgery turned him into and enthusiastic golfer.  He spent his retirement golfing, doing anything outside with friends and family, traveling the world with his wife and attending his grandchildren’s many activities.  He also was a mentor in the Covington School District where he enjoyed helping his students with their schoolwork and generally just getting to know them.  Woody was a mentor to everyone by the life he lead with his positive outlook, was loved by everyone who met him, and will be missed by many.  Woody is survived by his loving wife, Kathy (Rosch) Stephens; children, Stephanie (John) McNay, Melanie Etheridge, Scott (Karen) Stephens and Todd Stephens; step-sons, Brad (Denise) Rosch, Matt (Stephanie) Rosch and Andy Rosch; 12 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.  He is further survived by two sisters, Wendy (John) Chapman and Debra Stephens; several nieces and nephews; former wife, Linda Stephens and many extended family members and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Barbara Stephens and Theodore Muenster.  A celebration of Woody’s life will take place on Sunday, March 12, 2017 at Middendorf Funeral Home (3312 Madison Pike Ft. Wright, KY 41017) from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM for his friends to come and share stories.  Mass of Christian Burial will take place the following day, Monday, March 13, 2017 at Mother of God Church in Covington, KY at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow at a later date in Delafield, WI.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Donate Life and/or Wabash College.