IN MEMORIAM Stephen Martin Ehninger 1948-2025 Stephen Martin Ehninger, 77, passed away on Nov. 4, 2025, from complications following a fall. Stephen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on May 17, 1948, to Martin Carlyle and Winona Clara Ehninger. Steve lived his life with curiosity, creativity and humor. Steve married Sandra Collison in June 1967. Together they had two children, Amy and Andrew. Following his graduation from Granger High School in 1966, Steve began his education at the University of Utah, putting his studies on pause when he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1969. He served two years at Shepherd Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, and two years at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah, as an illustrator for the helicopter training school. He received an honorable discharge in 1974. During his time at Hill Air Force Base, Steve resumed his studies at the University of Utah and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design in 1974. He returned to the University of Utah in 1978 and graduated with a Master of Architecture in 1981. Early in his career as an architect, Steve was employed and held principal positions at Scott, Louie and Browning and the Gustavson Companies. In November 1991, Steve co-founded the firm Ehninger Fetzer Tholen Architects (EFT). In the early 2000s, Steve was employed by 3D/lnternational (3DI) following their purchase of EFT. After a period of employment at Harris & Associates, Steve returned to EFT after it was re-established in 2008. Steve completed his career with EFT, retiring in 2015. Steve’s expertise included project design, project definition, master planning and feasibility analysis. He was recognized for his ability to resolve complex concepts into simple visual solutions. Projects included technical facilities for research and higher education in Utah, Idaho, Nevada and California; office design and computer facilities for corporate clients; and architectural and planning services for the State of Utah, the Utah National Guard and the Veterans Health Care Systems. Steve received the highest certification, Blue Cover, from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards and participated in the development of licensing and regulatory standards for that organization. Other professional affiliations in which Steve was involved include the American Institute of Architects (AIA); Intern Development Program (IDP); ASSIST (board member); AIA Utah Chapter (former president); Utah State Architect Registration Board (former chairman); the AIA Utah Government Affairs Committee; and the Utah Architectural Foundation (former secretary/treasurer). Steve was artistic by nature, expressing it through drawings, paintings, sculptures, photography, light installations, wood carving, sand box creations, arrangement of found objects and decorations for packages (a family favorite). He was a gifted pianist and expanded those skills by using a Musical Instrument Digital Interface system to both play and create music. His other hobbies and interests included weather and solar flares, bird watching, history, new technology, NPR radio and PBS television. REFLEXION 30
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