STEPHEN ENGSTROM,
a beloved and dedicated family man, quietly passed away on May 9, 2022. A native son of Little Rock, Steve was a 1967 graduate and student body president of Hall High School, a 1971 graduate of Davidson College in North Carolina, and a 1974 graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law. He was the 1974 Articles and Comments Editor of the Law Review and has been an adjunct lecturer at the William H. Bowen School of Law.
Steve began his legal career as clerk to Judge Thomas Eisele. He then partnered with Bill Wilson in private practice, and their firm eventually grew to be Wilson, Engstrom, Corum, and Coulter. A member of the Arkansas and American Bar Associations, the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, the International Society of Barristers, and the American Trial Lawyers Association. Steve served as Chairman for the Inns of Court and was listed in The Best Trial Lawyers in America. He also received the distinction of the 2011 Outstanding Lawyer Award by the Arkansas Bar Association. Steve was a dedicated advocate for his clients and his profession, and always observed an absolute sense of fair play in his work and his life.
As a student, Steve spent a summer working for Governor Winthrop Rockefeller, and a summer as an aide to U.S. Congressman Al Lowenstein of New York. Having an adventurous spirit, Steve spent a pivotal year studying in France, traveling Europe, and a summer stint in the American Embassy in Brussels, Belgium.
A talented and avid golfer, he won the 2001 CCLR Men’s Club Championship. Steve brought enthusiasm to everything he did and was always up for fun. While he was best known by many for his professional career, we will remember him for his love for his family, his kindness, his generous spirit, his humor, his keen intelligence and wisdom, and his conviction for standing up for what he knew was right.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Martha Frances Engstrom; and his brother, Bobby. He will be sorely missed and is survived by his wife, Rebecca; his daughter, Louise Engstrom Riley (Stephen), and his stepdaughter, Page Ketcher, all of Little Rock; brothers, Bruce Engstrom (Sue) of North Little Rock, Jim Engstrom (Laura), nephews Allen Engstrom and Dr. Greg Engstrom (Julie), all of Little Rock; nieces, Carrie Lebowitz (Scott) of Memphis, Tenn., and Amy Engstrom of Bellingham, Wash. He is also survived by his uncle, Don Park (Joan) of Springfield, Tenn.; a host of great-nephews, sisterinJudy Johnson (Kelley) of Little Rock; and brother-in-law, Bill Mangum (Amalia) of Southern Pines, N.C. A special thanks to Dr. Frits van Rhee at UAMS Myeloma Center.
There will be a graveside service at Roselawn Cemetery on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 11 a.m. for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, if you’d like to do something in Steve’s memory, please donate to the Arkansas or National Democratic Party. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com.