The date was February 23, 1984. I was living in Billings, Montana after having graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman in the spring of 83′. This morning I picked up a friend and drove to a nearby ski resort for a day of fun on the slopes.
On the last run I was by myself because my friend wasn’t as experienced as I was. It was a black diamond run and I’ve been skiing since I was about 10 years old. I joined the Jr Ski Patrol as soon as I was old enough and later had served on the National Ski Patrol at 2 Montana ski resorts.
During my last run I had a massive heart attack and died right there on the side of the mountain. I had just turned 26 years old.

Life is fleeting. So, take my advice and don’t waste a minute of it. Find something that’s meaningful to you. Something that will justify the difficulty. Live with passion and purpose. Be patient and hold on when things get tough. Do your best and know that your best will vary from day to day. That’s ok. We all struggle. Try not to make things worse for yourself or others. Life is hard enough as it is. Be kind to your future self.

I hope you live a good, long life. And when your journey is nearing the end you can look back and say to yourself, “Man, that was hard! But so worth it.” Unlike me, I sincerely hope you get that chance.

Now go do those things you’ve been meaning to do. Before it’s too late.

Sincerely,
Steven Lee Turnbull
January 19, 1958 ~February 23, 1984

p.s.

My moms birthday is February 25th. That’s just 2 days after the day I died. Naturally, she was consumed with grief and away from home during her birthday in 1984. She must have been gone for about 10 days to 2 weeks while arranging for my funeral and such. I believe she was living in Wyoming at the time and I was buried in the Montana town I grew up in.
Anyway, her mail had accumulated while she was gone and in the stack of cards and letters that had accumulated was a very special birthday card. It was from me. I had sent it a day or two before I died. Imagine that. Now there’s a story you don’t hear every day.

“I guess that’s about all I have to say.” Those were the last words he said to me at the end of our last phone conversation. Steve was my big brother. He’s the reason WhoWas exists. I was 22 the day he died. And that was the day I began living life like there’s no tomorrow.
~ Mike Turnbull