Scot Arthur Stradley

Tribute Video: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/CTQJ97X99ZJBK33Q

Memorial Service: https://vimeo.com/event/4404279

Dr. Scot Arthur Stradley, 75, of Glyndon, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly in his home on March 12, 2024.

He was born to Helen (Crow) and Horace Robert Stradley on September 5, 1948, in Twin Falls, Idaho. Scot graduated from Kimberly High School in 1966 and went on to attend the University of Idaho (Moscow, Idaho). He was a fraternity member of Phi Gamma Delta. He then studied Economics at the University of Utah, where he obtained both his master’s degree and doctorate. He later studied Finance at Virginia Tech.

Scot married his first wife, Barbara Cannon, in 1970. They had one daughter, Whitney. After the two divorced, he married Kathleen (McKee) Stradley, and they had a daughter, Ashley. Kathleen had five daughters from her previous marriage: Alisa, Melanie, Sara, Vanessa, and Bethanie Izar. Together with Kathleen, they raised all their daughters in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Scot was a consummate educator who loved teaching and helping guide students. He was more than just a teacher; Scot served as a trusted personal and professional advisor to many. He started his career as a college professor at Emporia State University (Emporia, KS) before working at the University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND), where he taught for 25 years. He was known for his lectures – for his ability to make complex topics understandable and relatable, while weaving funny stories about his seven daughters and wife into the lesson. He later moved to Concordia College, where he was Emeritus Professor of Finance and Chair of the Department of Business, Accounting and Economics. At Concordia College, he was instrumental in the creation of the Finance program at the Offutt School of Business.

Scot was famous for his quick wit and one-liners. A master storyteller, he honed his craft with his family and students as his captive audiences. He also parlayed his storytelling abilities into writing. He was a prolific author and economic historian. During his tenure at the University of North Dakota, he worked at the Bureau of Business and Economic Research. He published the Statistical Abstract of North Dakota and was a contributor to the North Dakota Blue Book.

Scot loved North Dakota and studied its culture, politics, and the history of all its people. Through the North Dakota Humanities Council, he wrote and presented the historical account of Lynn J. Frasier, the famous Progressive Republican who became governor, was recalled, and later elected to the United States Senate. Scot contributed to documentaries of the Bank of North Dakota and the Non-Partisan League for Prairie Public Television’s local productions. He gained international notoriety through his scholarly publications. His favorite topic was Thomas Robert Malthus, the British classical economist.

Scot wrote the book The Broken Circle – An Economic History of North Dakota to tell the story of the native American Indians and farmers in North Dakota.

To many students, he was known as “facts on file” for his repository of knowledge (also why everyone wanted him on their team when playing Trivial Pursuit). He retired from teaching in 2016 and devoted his free time to his family, tending to his extensive vegetable and flower garden and his consulting business. As a consultant, he was proud to utilize his skills and knowledge as an expert witness in legal cases. He was a tireless advocate for “the underdog,” and this passion was often noted by juries.

Scot was an educator in every sense of the word and championed causes for women and children. He was the most ardent fan and cheerleader for his daughters and grandkids at sporting events, arts, and educational competitions. Scot was an immensely proud and protective father and grandfather.

Scot enjoyed being outdoors more than being inside. He was an excellent skier and loved to fish, hunt, hike, and camp. He loved listening to music and playing his guitar. He also enjoyed watching UND sports, particularly the enthusiasm of the student section at UND Fighting Sioux hockey games.

He loved spending time chatting with his family and friends and the companionship of his feisty little dog, Zena Warrior Princess, and all his grand dogs. He served as doorman to his cats for many years. Scot was an unapologetic spoiler of all the family’s pets.

Scot is survived by Kathleen, his devoted wife and soul-mate of 39 years; daughters, Whitney Stradley, Ashley Costello (Mario), Bethanie Parker (Robert), Vanessa Izar-McFadden (Robert), Sara Parker (Dan), Melanie Anderson (Terry), and Alisa Bekins (Laurence); grandchildren, Vincent Costello, Ty Anderson (Katie), Afton Wight, Connor Bekins, Landon and Leah Parker, Owen and Olivia McFadden, Robbie, Mikey and Rosa Kathleen Parker; great-grandson, Parker Anderson; brother, Bruce Stradley; nieces and nephews, Megan and Eric Stradley, Ericka Goodson, Josh Unger, and Gina McKee, and Aunt Sheryl Crow.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Horace Stradley; brother, Robb Stradley; maternal and paternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, many cousins; in-laws, Francis and Edith McKee; and brother-in-law, Michael McKee.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 22, 2024, 2:00 p.m. at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, 215 7th Street South, Fargo, North Dakota 58103.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials via any of the following organizations dear to Scot:
Glyndon Fire & Rescue, Glyndon, MN; Disabled American Veterans (DAV) of Idaho, Chapter 5 Twin Falls; University of North Dakota Alumni Association Foundation; American Legion Post 21, Moorhead, Minnesota; Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band; Great Plains Food Bank; Prairie Public Television-Local Productions; and North Dakota Humanities Council.