The Enterprise - White Salmon, Washington

Obituaries

Death notices for Mark Stevenson and Vicki Fink

February 19, 2013

Mark E. Stevenson died Jan. 31, 2013, at sleep in his home in White Salmon. He was 64.

Born and raised in White Salmon, Mark completed his secondary education at Catlin Gabel School and graduated from Williams College in 1970, where he studied design and architecture and majored in art history. During his years at Williams he cultivated his lifelong passion for art, and in visits to New York collected early works by well known artists from the pop and op art world.

After college, Mark returned to the Northwest where he designed, remodeled and oversaw construction of houses in Bend and White Salmon. At this time he learned to play polo, and engaged in the sport with the deep enthusiasm he brought to his many and varied interests in life. During the mid-1970s Mark became involved in the hotel business while overseeing the remodeling, expansion and management of Greenwood Inns in Beaverton, Ore., and Bellevue that were real estate holdings of the Stevenson family business.

In 1982, Mark purchased the then-decrepit Heathman Hotel with a vision of its transformation into an elegant, urbane and vibrant downtown hotel. The Heathman reopened in 1984, bound inextricably to the arts through a brick and mortar connection to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, proximity to Portland's cultural institutions in the park blocks, and hospitality provided by the hotel to visiting artists, authors and performers. Filled with original art and beautiful furnishings, The Heathman became a beacon of fine design, excellent cuisine and gracious hospitality that contributed to Portland's distinct urban character and appeal.

Mark's brilliant, creative mind and tireless work ethic are best represented by his Heathman project, but its accomplishment marked the end of a productive life that by 1990 was given over to illness. He continued to travel and engage in the outdoor activities he loved for as long as he was physically able, then withdrew to living quietly in White Salmon for the remainder of his life.

Mark was a vibrant and charismatic man who enriched and enlivened the lives of his many friends, an expansive network of interesting and entertaining people. He was handsome, keenly observant, funny, fun-loving and ever on the move. He is sorely missed.

Mark was the youngest son and third of Priscilla and Wallace Stevenson's five children. In the large, closely-knit Stevenson clan, he was one of 25 first cousins, some his closest friends and companions in life.

He is survived by his parents; his brother Wesley Stevenson and Wes's wife, Jamie; his sisters, Peggy Ohlson and Bernice Bean and their husbands, Jon Ohlson and Warren Bean; and many nieces and nephews. His brother Bruce Stevenson died in 1997.

There will be a family gathering to celebrate Mark's life in the spring.

Vicky Fink, 60, passed away on Feb. 4, 2013. She was born on July 26, 1952, in Pennsylvania.

Vicky is survived by her daughter Anita Crow of Dallesport, Tracy Mindek of McDonald, Pa., Monica Crow of Burgettstown, Pa., and Ramona Hill and her son-in-law Rick Hill of Melbourne, Fla. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren: Travis Atchley, Jesse Atchley, Jacob Atchley, Kiara Flickinger, Michael Crow, Christopher Carter, Men Mindek, Mackenzie Mindek, Noah Mindek, Jessica Jobe, Camron Heirendt, Kaden Heirendt, Alisun Heirendt, Brook Williams and Ricky Hill; her husband Marty Fink; her mother Marge Dillon; sister Karen Schultz; brothers Dennis Dillon and Gordon Dillon; and her mother-in-law Shirley Fink.

She will be remembered for her energy, optimism, generosity, sense of humor, outgoing personality, dedication to family and friends, her keeping in touch with family which consisted of phone calls every Sunday.

She loved the residents she had taken care of over the years being a C.N.A.

She loved her daughters and her grandchildren, the sunshine, fishing, camping, going to the beach, music and her dogs.

She has touched so many lives. All who knew Vicky adored her. She will always be in our hearts and greatly missed.