Funeral Service: 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at the First United Methodist Church in Adams, NE.

Steven P. McPherson, 57 years of age, of Rancho Viejo, Texas, formerly of Adams, NE. passed away unexpectedly at his home Tuesday, March 16, 2004. He was born on July 19, 1946 in Lincoln, NE., was a graduate of Adams High School, Adams, NE., and attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE. He later transferred to Yale University and graduated as a registered respiratory therapist. He was the Director of Respiratory Therapy at the Tucson Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona and was instrumental in starting the first formal school of Respiratory Therapy in Tucson. He wrote a book with the cooperation of two colleagues entitled "Respiratory Therapy Equipment" which was published and used as text books for the students of about 90% of the training schools in the United States. Seven editions of this book have followed. His career has spanned over 30 years as a therapist, manager and teacher, and in 2001 he was honored by the American Association of Respiratory Care as one of the first 100 persons named a "Fellow In The American Association of Respiratory Care". He was currently the Medical Director of Respiratory Services at the Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas. He was a member of the United Methodist Church. He continued to love his home community of Adams, NE., was a staunch "Big Red " fan, and enjoyed fishing and country music.

Survivors include two daughters, Lisa McPherson and Heather Gordon and her husband Michael, all of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren Lauren, Joshua, and Jessica; father Donald McPherson of Adams, NE.; Sisters Donna Mulder and her husband Robin of Lincoln, NE. and Beth Delabar and her husband Bob of Adams, NE.; brother Reverend Dean McPherson and his wife Susie of Sac City, Iowa; Several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Thelma (Johnston) McPherson (1998); and a nephew Robert Delabar Jr.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at the First United Methodist Church in Adams, NE. Interment will be in the Highland Cemetery in Adams, NE. The body will lie in state Tuesday from 9-12:00 P.M. at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Adams, NE. and at the church one hour preceding the service. A family prayer service will be held at 1:45 P.M. Tuesday at the church. A memorial has been established with Kent Krause in charge. Messages of condolence may be sent to [email protected]. They will be forwarded to the family.

The Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Adams, NE. is in charge of the services.