Hugh Waddell Stephens

Hugh Waddell Stephens was born March 13,1934 in Asheville, NC to George Myers and Eleanor Waddell Stephens. He passed away May 29, 2026, in Asheville, NC with his wife at his side.

Hugh grew up in Asheville, where he attended Asheville Country Day School, Christ School and The George School. He attended Davidson College and received a BA from Washington & Lee. After undergraduate studies Hugh Joined the U.S. Marine Corps and attended officer training school. He was stationed in Okinawa Japan in 1957-58, followed by reserve service for several years. After active duty, he attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received his MA in Political Science (1959). He then attended Yale University where he earned his PhD in Political Science (1965).

Hugh and Clare had three children Jan (1957), Mark (1959), and Andrew (1964). Hugh’s career took the family to Chapel Hill, New Haven CT, and Silver Spring MD. His first teaching position was at Texas Tech University in Lubbock in 1963. He took a position at the University of Houston two years later, where he taught for 38 years. He was Associate Dean when he retired. Hugh developed a specialty in Emergency Management and was often interviewed on the local news when there was a disaster. He wrote a scholarly analysis of the Texas City Disaster of 1947, which is still used in Emergency Management training today. At retirement, Hugh and Clare moved back to Asheville in 2001, building their house on the property he grew up on.

Hugh was a strong Christian and lifelong Episcopalian. After returning to Asheville, he and Clare joined Trinity Episcopal. Hugh loved a variety of music, choral, classical, folk music, bagpipes, and he was a member of the church choir for many years. Hugh’s priority was his family, whom he loved dearly. He attended countless school events, swim meets, soccer games, award ceremonies and loved to be engaged with his kids. He was determined that family had agreed on names to refer to each other. He wanted “grandparent name” to be Hugh Dad, and Victoria quickly turned that into HooDad, which was adopted by the family for life. He loved the Blue Ridge mountains and took his family back “home” to North Carolina every summer. He enjoyed traveling, including almost every state in the US, many countries, and especially liked the Caribbean. He was dedicated to community service including volunteering regularly at the polls and serving as election judge. He was an avid student of the Civil War, U.S. history and international relations. He loved watching UH football, the Washington Redskins and the Boston Red Socks. In retirement he was a member and served as President of Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a third-generation member of The Pen and Plate Club for many years, and he enjoyed working out at the downtown YMCA. Hugh’s loving demeanor and developed intellect were complimented by a healthy sense of humor, expressed often in conversation, and by his laughing out loud watching The Muppet Show and The Benny Hill Show.

Hugh is survived by his wife Clare of over 70 years, children Jan (Craig) and Drew. His sister Eleanor Johnson, daughter-in-law Hannah Stephens. Grandchildren Victoria (Lincoln), Katherine, and Hugh (Stephanie). He had many nieces and nephews who he adored. He is preceded in death by George and Elenor Stephens, Janice Trotti Lyon, Frank Lyon and Clarence Trotti, brother George and wife Karin, David Johnson, John and Joan Trotti and son Mark W. Stephens.

Hugh was a warm, friendly person who found joy in his family and the many friends he made throughout his life. He was an intellectual and a lifelong learner, who loved a friendly debate. He touched many lives through family, teaching and his many activities. A reflection of Hugh is how he often ended a prayer “…and keep us ever mindful of the needs of others, Amen”.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church St Asheville, NC 28803 on June 13, 2026, at 2:00PM EDT. A livestream will be available for those unable to attend in person via this link: https://www.trinityasheville.org/livestream-links. A Reception in Trinity’s Tuton Hall will follow the service.

Remembrances in lieu of flowers can be made to organizations he held close; Trinity Episcopal Church Asheville, Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway, The Southern Poverty Law Center, or the American Diabetes Association.

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.