Clyde Walter Stearns, 66, passed away suddenly due to an undiagnosed heart condition on Feb. 18, 2016.

He was a kind, warm-hearted true gentleman with a quick-witted sense of humor. His grandson Easton wrote, “It’s going to be hard without him there to see me grow into the man he inspired me to be.” Replace “man” with “person/friend/husband/father ” and that expresses Clyde’s legacy and the mark he has made on all those fortunate enough to have known him. He had a way of making a genuine and unique connection with everyone he met.

Clyde was born on April 22, 1949, in Kalispell, to George and Beulah Stearns. He attended Russell Elementary School and Flathead High School, where he met his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Candi Hart. Even with adjusting his winter class schedule to accommodate skiing each afternoon, he earned a Bachelor of Science in engineering from Montana State University.

Clyde was well respected and admired in his field — both professionally and personally. A world-renowned bioenergy expert, he was one of five 2014 World Bioenergy Award nominees for his work in the design and development of wood processing equipment.

Clyde was an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed hiking, water and snow skiing, camping, fly fishing, rock climbing, and biking. He earned his pilot’s license as a teenager and loved traveling, cheering on his grandchildren, and doing his annual Christmas puzzle. His happiest moments came from being with his family, in whom he had so much pride and to whom he gave extravagant love.

Clyde was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Larry Hart, and stepfather, Keny Clothier.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years and best friend, Candi; his daughters, Brittany Johnson and husband Tory, Brooke Stearns Lawson and husband Jelani; his five grandchildren, Mackenzie, Easton, Maddie, Kennedy, and Teagan Johnson; his mother, Beulah Clothier; his father, George Stearns and wife, Fran; his sister, Linda Robinson and husband, Royce; his twin sister, Claire Svejkovsky and husband, Toby; his mother-in-law, Margaret Hart; his brother-in-law, Dennis Hart and wife, Monica; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and countless friends.

A celebration of Clyde’s life will be held in the Flathead Valley this summer. An online memorial can be accessed at http://www.never-gone.com/Memorials/Clyde.

In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes can be sent to Facing Addiction in honor of Clyde Stearns. “Gramps” was extremely proud of his granddaughter Kenzie’s recovery and compassionate for those at various stages of similar journeys. Facing Addiction Inc., 100 Mill Plain Road, 3rd Floor, Danbury, CT 06811, https://facingaddiction.nationbuilder.com/donate.