Stephen Carl Hotlen

Stephen Carl Hotlen passed away in his home surrounded by family in the early hours of Thursday, September 26, 2024. He was 83 years old. Born March 26, 1941, in the southside of Chicago at Michael Reese Hospital to Ruth (née Redd) and Auburn “Jack” Hotlen, Stephen was a lifelong White Sox fan. He graduated from Hononegah High School in 1959 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education, history and social sciences secondary education, as well as a Master of Science in public administration, both from Northern Illinois University (NIU).

While at NIU, he met Mary Wright, who also received a Master of Science in Education, English secondary education with a minor in psychology (and later a Master of Education in counseling from NIU). First crossing paths while Stephen was selling eggs on his father’s bakery route in Rockford, IL, Stephen and Mary met again when they both worked at a movie theatre in Dekalb, where she sold candy and he sold popcorn during shows. They were married June 9, 1962 at St. James Catholic Church in Rockford.

He was diagnosed at 23 with Type 1 diabetes. As a lifelong athlete, he refused to allow his chronic illness to interfere with his life and pursued running, bicycling, bowling, and played basketball and softball. He joined the Blackhawk Bicycle and Ski Club in 1985 when his youngest son expressed an interest in biking. An enthusiastic member of the club for more than 35 years, he served as the club’s president from 1990-1991, was a fixture at club events, volunteering every year for the club’s Memorial Day Blackhawk Country Roads Invitational ride, and was also instrumental in establishing the Rockford Perryville Bike Path. Over those three and a half decades he logged more than 100,000 miles - the equivalent of riding around the world four times. After a heart attack in 2004, a doctor told him that if he wanted to live more than two years, he needed to continue biking. 

He was devoted to his calling as an educator and students remember him as an inspiring and committed educator who challenged and advocated for every student who stepped through his classroom door. He began his 32-year career at Buckbee Middle School where he also coached the basketball team. He spent the majority of his career at Eisenhower Middle School. He served as English and History Department heads, established a multimedia and journalism program, and developed a team-teaching model for unit-based learning in English and History classrooms. Stephen was asked to advise the Chicago school district on the team-teaching model he developed at Eisenhower. He also developed a law-focused education program for teachers and forged relationships with IL court system judges to create a mock trial program for middle school students. He taught summer school for many years and spent eight years, post-retirement, teaching part-time and serving in administrative roles. Stephen was awarded the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award and touched many lives through his work in education and commitment to social justice.

Stephen had a lifelong passion for jazz and blues music, and was a past Rockford Jazz Society member and supporter. He most enjoyed the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Buddy Guy, and Eric Clapton. In later years, he was a regular player in bridge clubs held at the YMCA and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

He was known to challenge his family to many fun, late-night competitive Hearts and Gin Rummy tournaments and was skilled at card tricks he learned from his father. Growing up, his children loved the bowling, camping, canoeing, and biking adventures he took them on. Stephen was a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and his family will miss his steady and wise presence. 

Stephen is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary; son Mark (Sandy) Hotlen, daughter Sheryl (Brian) Rivett, and son Aaron (Michelle) Hotlen; six grandchildren, Brenna (Tarek) Hariri-Rivett, Mairin (Jacob) Rivett, Juliana Rivett, Alexandra Hotlen, Norah Rivett, Jack Hotlen, and great-granddaughter, Ximena Rogel. Stephen is also survived by his sister, Stacy Hotlen Wrzesniewski; sister-in-law, Terry Hyme-Palmer; brother-in-law, James Orbison; four nieces and four nephews, and their children.

Stephen was predeceased by his parents, Auburn “Jack” and Ruth Hotlen; his sister, Sharon Hotlen; brother, Albert Hotlen, as well as his in-laws, Tennyson and Emma Wright, and James and Louise Orbison.

Baptized Lutheran, he found community for himself and his family at the Unitarian Universalist (UU) church of Rockford, where he taught the middle school religions course and participated in UU church sports. A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockford, on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Breakthrough T1D, a research organization committed to curing Type 1 diabetes and dedicated to improving the lives of all those who live with the disease, at https://www.breakthrought1d.org/.