Where Are They Now? - A Q&A with Don Stephens
“Tornados struck within two miles of my home.... Directing that operation was very difficult as it affected so many of the neighbors in my community that I knew.”
Don Stephens began his Red Cross career in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1969. He was hired as the director of Safety Programs/Disaster. Safety programs included Water Safety (swimming classes), Lifeguard Training, Water Safety Instructor Training, Small Craft Training (canoeing, sailing, rowing and motor boating), First Aid and CPR Training and Disaster (for local family fires). Later he worked in International Services and Service to Military Families. He met his wife, Ruthy, at the Red Cross.
Don, what is one of your most memorable Red Cross experiences, and what made it memorable?
This is a difficult question for me to answer, there are so many memories, some good, some heart breaking and some great memories of the people I have worked with over the years. I guess the most memorable would be directing the Red Cross response to the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. What made this event so memorable was the magnitude of all the 9/11 events that day, the astounding response of the American people and the tremendous response of our Red Cross volunteers. Also, the North Georgia Tornados response. Tornados struck within two miles of my home, and in north metro Atlanta and the northeast Georgia mountains. Directing that operation was very difficult as it affected so many of the neighbors in my community that I knew.
What advice would you give American Red Cross staff that have recently left the organization or are planning for retirement?
My suggestion to those who have recently retired or are planning on retiring soon is to think about planning what you want to do. I know most have planned to travel a lot, but there is and can be a gap between your traveling. Make sure you include plans for what you will do when not traveling, like volunteering in the community and joining special interest groups that have a variety of activities. Plan for daily physical activities as well, such as daily walks and low impact sport activities, such as swimming, pickleball, aerobics, weekly social events and others. Don’t let the TV and chair control your life. Sedentary is not a good thing, stay active!!!!
What was your role in the military?
Before joining The Red Cross, I served in the United States Air Force for 6 years. I was a cryptographer, deciphering /decoding top secret coded messages. I was stationed at Barksdale AFB, Headquarters 2nd Air Force, Strategic Air Command in Shreveport, Louisianna. and did temporary duty at Elmendorf AFB and Fire Island, Alaska.
What do you do for fun now?
Visits with family, grandchildren, nieces/nephews, brothers and sisters scattered all over the U.S. – Texas, Montana, Maine, Washington D.C., South Carolina, North Carolina, California and Georgia. I teach and coach pickleball at the YMCA two to three times a week, play golf at the Legends Golf Course on Parris Island twice weekly, sing in the church choir, and I’m a volunteer Marshall/Starter at the Marine Corp Recruitment Depot golf course once a week. I also sit out on the porch viewing beautiful sunsets and watching the tides’ role in where I live in Beauford, South Carolina.
How did you meet your wife?
I met my wife at the Red Cross in Atlanta. I was the Georgia Division director of Emergency Community Services (SAF, International Services and Disaster Services). My wife, Ruthy, was a SAF/Disaster caseworker at one of the Metro Atlanta Chapter service centers. Later she became the station manager at Fort McPherson. I was a divorced father of two sons (6 and 11 years old) who lived with me in Atlanta. All the staff got to know the boys, quickly including Ruthy. Ruthy asked me if I would help chaperone a church hayride for their youth. I said yes, six years later we were married.
What makes you laugh?
Grandkids, dogs and good jokes.
What have you read or seen on the small or big screen lately that you enjoy?
Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV).
What are you looking forward to next?
Tomorrow! HAHA. Really, I look forward for tomorrow as each day to me is a new adventure and beginning.
