Stephen Ray Bryan
Stephen Ray Bryan passed away on October 24, 2022. An ill-defined autoimmune disorder and kidney disease caused a rapid decline of his health in the spring of 2020. Those chronic conditions resulted in severe peripheral neuropathy that compromised his mobility. Despite his health challenges, Steve maintained his good humor and a positive attitude—attributes core to his personality. To the end, our phone conversations were upbeat as we reminisced about our days at Dartmouth and the 1965 Undefeated Football Championship Team. His loving family was by his side during his final moments.
Steve was born on January 21, 1944, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended Highland High School where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete. He received All-American honors and First Team All-State honors as an end in football. Highland won the football State Championship his senior season. He was recruited by several universities for his football skills, including Stanford, Michigan State and Utah. After numerous recruiting trips, Steve chose Dartmouth. He understood the value of an Ivy League education and wanted to experience a different part of the country. This was a great choice, both for Steve and Dartmouth.
At Dartmouth he continued his football career as an offensive end. He was a key member of the 1965 Undefeated Football Championship Team that captured the Lambert Trophy. An epic victory over Princeton capped their historic season. Steve received several post season recognitions for his outstanding play, including Coaches All-Ivy First Team, AP All-Ivy First Team, and AP All-East Honorable Mention.
While at Dartmouth, Steve majored in Biology and fulfilled his pre-med requirements. He was an active member of the Sphinx Society and the Beta House. Steve participated in interfraternity wrestling and basketball. He also represented the Beta House in the interfraternity choir competition.
Following Dartmouth, Steve returned to Salt Lake City to continue his education. He did a year of research in the Biology Department at the University and then enrolled in The University of Utah School of Medicine. During that time, Steve fell in love with Jane Hansen, the sister of his best friend from high school. They were married on July 26, 1967. Jane worked as a schoolteacher while Steve was in medical school. Following medical school, Steve continued his post-graduate medical training at the University of Utah. He completed an internship in Internal Medicine followed by a four-year residency in Neurology. Over that period of time, Steve and Jane had two sons, Derek and Josh.
One of Steve's mentors during his training in Utah was Alabamian Dr. Hamp Greene. In 1976, Hamp convinced Steve to join him at the Alabama Neurological Clinic located in Montgomery, Alabama. The Deep South was a major change for this young Utah family. Fortunately, they were quick to make friends and learned to love Southern culture. Alabama offered new experiences, including a vibrant social scene, trips to the Gulf Coast and of course, a love for Alabama Football. The Bryan family soon discovered beautiful Lake Martin. Countless weekends and summer breaks were spent at their lake cabin. It was a special place to make memories that would last a lifetime.
Steve remained an active partner in the Alabama Neurological Clinic until 2010. Then in 2011, Steve took a solo Neurologist position at Russell Hospital in Alex City, Alabama, which was much closer to their now fulltime home on Lake Martin. Steve remained at Russell Hospital until his retirement in 2018. His patients described him as an "old school" doctor who took time to listen and really cared about their well-being. He helped countless people during his four decades of practice. Even though Medicine changed a lot over those years, his bedside manner remained compassionate and true to his principles.
Steve's loving wife Jane passed away on May 9th, 2016. He found comfort in his two sons, Derek and Josh and two grandchildren, Brendan and Remi. Steve cared deeply for his grandchildren and remained engaged in their lives. He loved attending their theatrical performances and other events. Watching his grandchildren grow up was the greatest joy of his life.
Steve had many interests outside of medicine, including fishing, boating and golf. He also enjoyed attending concerts and plays and was an active member of his church choir. In the spring of 2019, Steve travelled to Maine to fish with old friends from Dartmouth, including Roc Caivano, Gerry Lamontagne, Jack Aley, Don Graves and myself. We spent time at Rangeley Lakes and at Roc's home in Bar Harbor. It was a classic "road trip" reminiscent of our days at Dartmouth.
Steve will be remembered by his many friends at Dartmouth as an easy-going but highly competent student and athlete. He never seemed to get very excited but was always ready and able to do what was needed, no matter what the endeavor. Though he was obviously a hard worker and serious about both his academics and sports, he knew how to have a good time and was always fun to be with. He had a remarkable combination of athletic ability, intelligence, common sense and decency. He will be sorely missed.
— Submitted by Roger Pezzuti, MD class of 66’. I wish to thank Josh Bryan for his assistance in documenting these memories.