Dr. Sheldon John Score (Skip) passed away from Alzheimer’s disease on Friday, July 30, 2010. We are now faced with writing an obituary for someone whose life cannot be summarized in a few paragraphs and included hundreds of family, friends and memories. This includes all his patients because you weren’t just a “patient” you became a part of his life and he a part of yours. He is truly one of a kind!
Skip was born in St. Paul, MN on September 6, 1928 to Elsie and Engwald Score. He attended Harding High School where he became an all-star athlete in football and track. Skip married Donna Jean Little after graduation. He worked his way through Northwestern College of Chiropractic in a steel mill and as a construction laborer. He graduated from Northwestern in 1950. That same year he visited Montana, fell in love with Big Sky Country and decided to make Montana his home. In1953 he packed up his family and moved to Helena where he set up his practice. He and Donna later divorced.
He was dedicated to his patients and found great satisfaction in his profession by helping people feel better. He never made plans to retire as he thought he would still be working till he turned 100. Many people looked forward to his innovative Sunday morning health-tip Radio Talk Show on KBLL (1960 – 1968), which highlighted preventative tips for healthy living. Skip not only preached healthy living, he lived it. It is ironic he died from Alzheimer’s for which no cure has been found and no amount of good living can protect from. Throughout his life he enhanced his education in the healing arts, becoming an expert in the use of vitamins and minerals. He was 40 years ahead of the trend in the use of chiropractic to heal animals. He furthered his education and in 1960 became a Certified Chiropractic Orthopedist.
Skip married the love of his life, Rhonda Strainer in 1994. They enjoyed each other tremendously and had many fun times together.
Skip had several passions in his lifetime that included his love of horses, fast cars/motorcycles, pheasant hunting, and his golden retrievers.
Thank you to Lisa Schmitz and Art Young for their friendship and skilled care giving over the last 3 years. The companionship you showed Skip afforded him time to be at home, where he was the happiest. Skip’s final journey ended at ‘Our House’ where he resided for only a month. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Jo, Leroy, Shirley, Alaya and your little critters; Mighty Mouse, Heidi, Cowboy and Lubie. Your kindness, caring, knowledge and compassion will never be forgotten.
Skip is survived by his wife Rhonda; daughters, Candice Score (East Helena); Roxanne Register (Boca Raton FL); Kimberly Davidson (Griff) Butte; and his son Dr. Shannon Score (Susan) Burnsville, MN. Grandchildren; Shane and James Warfield, (East Helena), Kristy Larsen (Mike) Bloomington, MN; Cody and Jake Score (Burnsville, MN); Lacey and Harley Davidson (Butte); 3 Great Grandchildren; Madison Warfield (East Helena); Garrett and Griffin Larsen (Bloomington, MN); Step-daughter from a previous marriage, Leah Martin (Craig) Helena and their four children; Shelby, Brady, Darby and Libby, and numerous nieces and nephews too many to name and an endless list of friends.
He was preceded in death by his Parents, Sisters Marcia Bogusky and Phyllis Treise, and infant son Engwald John.
Please join us in a celebration to memorialize Skip’s life on Friday, August 6, 2010 at 2:30 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church (corner of Lawrence and Cruse) with a reception to follow starting at 4:00 at the Green Meadow Country Club. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to: Our House, 2000 Winne, Helena, Montana 59601 or the Alzheimer’s Assoc. Montana, 3010 11th Ave. N, Billings, MT 59101. Local arrangements have been entrusted Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home.
Penny Linn Ueeck says
Dear Candy and Roxy, I am sorry for the passing of your dad, and remember the good times. The times we rode the horses and the times we picked him or the horse up after an amazing ride. He enjoyed life. Thinking of you, Penny Linn Ueeck