Stanford "Scott" Hendrickson, 86, of McCall, Idaho, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 23, 2025, in Park City, Utah. Born on March 5, 1939, in Summit, New Jersey, Scott was the son of Stanford and Florella (Ross) Hendrickson of Westfield, NJ, who both predeceased him.
He is survived by his three children: Bill (McCall, ID), Debbie Sexton (Park City, UT), and Kevin (Steamboat Springs, CO); and by four grandchildren: Nicholas (Innsbruck, Austria), Sarah (Carbondale, CO), Alex Sexton (Park City, UT), and Katherine Sexton (Bozeman, MT).
He was predeceased by his brother, Dan Hendrickson (1947-2021), and by his first wife, Gulielma Buckley (m. 1962), the children's mother. He was later married to Nancy Walker Fosie (m. 1983), who also predeceased him. Scott is remembered as well by Nancy's children: Jeff Fosie (Seattle, WA) and his daughter Callie; and Sapphire Sun Hort (Aztec, NM) and her daughters Mica and Chenoa.
________________________________________
A Life Shaped by Water, Mountains, and Campfires
Among Scott's happiest and most defining days were those spent at Ragged Lake Camp in Andover, New Hampshire. First a camper, then counselor, and eventually co-director, Scott found there a profound and lasting sense of belonging, purpose, and friendship. The people, traditions, laughter, and shared work of Ragged Lake centered him throughout his life. The camp lived in his heart always.
________________________________________
Education and Early Work
Scott graduated from Middlebury College in 1961, earned a Master's in History from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and later a Master's in Education Administration from Plymouth State College (NH).
He began teaching high school history in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. During that first year, his contract was not renewed because he refused to fail a student who did not have the required belt for the school dress code. Scott drove the student home to search for one; when they couldn't find a belt, they cut a piece of rope and used that instead.
It was a small story that revealed something large: Scott moved forward—and brought others with him—when there were obstacles. He advocated for his students before "student advocacy" was language people used.
________________________________________
Teacher, Coach, Counselor, Instructor
Over six decades, Scott taught, coached, mentored, counseled, and encouraged young people across the country and abroad. His work took him to Armonk (NY), Wilton (CT), Plymouth (NH), Vienna (Austria), Seattle (WA), and Park City (UT).
Scott came out of retirement to teach skiing at Deer Valley Resort, where he was known for getting children off the magic carpet and joyfully exploring the mountain faster than almost anyone—and for helping kids find confidence in themselves while they learned.
He spent ten years at The Winter Sports School in Park City as both teacher and college counselor, guiding student-athletes in discovering their strengths, building their academic pathways, and preparing for life beyond competitive sport.
________________________________________
Learning by Book—and by Life
In Scott's den hung a poster quoting a ski company CEO:
"If all you do is sit and read, all you get is smart and soft."
Scott loved books and learning, but he believed education was most powerful when paired with experience—with movement, challenge, outdoors, curiosity, and play. He believed that everyone learns differently; that strengths should be developed, not hidden; that a classroom can be a mountain, a trail, a workshop, or a lake; and that confidence is built through doing, not just knowing.
He lived that philosophy—and passed it on.
________________________________________
Stories and Adventures
Scott was happiest with a story to tell and a mountain, river, or lake nearby. His favorites included a coast-to-coast road trip in 1956; college pranks; bringing a toboggan over the headwall of Tuckerman's Ravine as a ski patroller; multi-week cycling trips across Europe; driving his Morgan and his Porsches; and ski trips to Austria—including his last at age 82—as well as his final ski runs at Brundage Mountain in April 2025.
He spent his last five years in McCall, Idaho, savoring quiet early mornings, snowy winters, and the peaceful rhythm of small mountain-town life.
________________________________________
Celebration of Life
Because Scott's community spans states, countries, and mountains, on December 4, 2025, family and friends are invited to take a ski run, a walk in nature, or raise a glass—wherever they are—in celebration of a life lived with purpose, curiosity, grit, humor, and heart.
In Scott's honor, the family asks that donations be made to The Winter Sports School in Park City, supporting the next generation of student-athletes he so loved to teach.
Donations may be made online at www.wintersportsschool.org/reaching-new-peaks. Please designate your gift "In memory of Scott Hendrickson."
A life well lived—and well loved.
He is survived by his three children: Bill (McCall, ID), Debbie Sexton (Park City, UT), and Kevin (Steamboat Springs, CO); and by four grandchildren: Nicholas (Innsbruck, Austria), Sarah (Carbondale, CO), Alex Sexton (Park City, UT), and Katherine Sexton (Bozeman, MT).
He was predeceased by his brother, Dan Hendrickson (1947-2021), and by his first wife, Gulielma Buckley (m. 1962), the children's mother. He was later married to Nancy Walker Fosie (m. 1983), who also predeceased him. Scott is remembered as well by Nancy's children: Jeff Fosie (Seattle, WA) and his daughter Callie; and Sapphire Sun Hort (Aztec, NM) and her daughters Mica and Chenoa.
________________________________________
A Life Shaped by Water, Mountains, and Campfires
Among Scott's happiest and most defining days were those spent at Ragged Lake Camp in Andover, New Hampshire. First a camper, then counselor, and eventually co-director, Scott found there a profound and lasting sense of belonging, purpose, and friendship. The people, traditions, laughter, and shared work of Ragged Lake centered him throughout his life. The camp lived in his heart always.
________________________________________
Education and Early Work
Scott graduated from Middlebury College in 1961, earned a Master's in History from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and later a Master's in Education Administration from Plymouth State College (NH).
He began teaching high school history in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. During that first year, his contract was not renewed because he refused to fail a student who did not have the required belt for the school dress code. Scott drove the student home to search for one; when they couldn't find a belt, they cut a piece of rope and used that instead.
It was a small story that revealed something large: Scott moved forward—and brought others with him—when there were obstacles. He advocated for his students before "student advocacy" was language people used.
________________________________________
Teacher, Coach, Counselor, Instructor
Over six decades, Scott taught, coached, mentored, counseled, and encouraged young people across the country and abroad. His work took him to Armonk (NY), Wilton (CT), Plymouth (NH), Vienna (Austria), Seattle (WA), and Park City (UT).
Scott came out of retirement to teach skiing at Deer Valley Resort, where he was known for getting children off the magic carpet and joyfully exploring the mountain faster than almost anyone—and for helping kids find confidence in themselves while they learned.
He spent ten years at The Winter Sports School in Park City as both teacher and college counselor, guiding student-athletes in discovering their strengths, building their academic pathways, and preparing for life beyond competitive sport.
________________________________________
Learning by Book—and by Life
In Scott's den hung a poster quoting a ski company CEO:
"If all you do is sit and read, all you get is smart and soft."
Scott loved books and learning, but he believed education was most powerful when paired with experience—with movement, challenge, outdoors, curiosity, and play. He believed that everyone learns differently; that strengths should be developed, not hidden; that a classroom can be a mountain, a trail, a workshop, or a lake; and that confidence is built through doing, not just knowing.
He lived that philosophy—and passed it on.
________________________________________
Stories and Adventures
Scott was happiest with a story to tell and a mountain, river, or lake nearby. His favorites included a coast-to-coast road trip in 1956; college pranks; bringing a toboggan over the headwall of Tuckerman's Ravine as a ski patroller; multi-week cycling trips across Europe; driving his Morgan and his Porsches; and ski trips to Austria—including his last at age 82—as well as his final ski runs at Brundage Mountain in April 2025.
He spent his last five years in McCall, Idaho, savoring quiet early mornings, snowy winters, and the peaceful rhythm of small mountain-town life.
________________________________________
Celebration of Life
Because Scott's community spans states, countries, and mountains, on December 4, 2025, family and friends are invited to take a ski run, a walk in nature, or raise a glass—wherever they are—in celebration of a life lived with purpose, curiosity, grit, humor, and heart.
In Scott's honor, the family asks that donations be made to The Winter Sports School in Park City, supporting the next generation of student-athletes he so loved to teach.
Donations may be made online at www.wintersportsschool.org/reaching-new-peaks. Please designate your gift "In memory of Scott Hendrickson."
A life well lived—and well loved.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Stanford Scott Hendrickson, please visit our flower store.
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