Scott was born and raised in Ogden, Utah along with his three brothers. His love of the outdoors started at an early age. He often found himself straying from the walk to school to spend his days exploring the mountains near his home.
In his 20s, he worked as an Outward Bound instructor, a climbing guide in the Tetons and Trinity Alps, and a member of the Weber County Sheriff’s Mountain Rescue Team. His climbing and sailing adventures took him all over North America and ultimately to the Olympic Peninsula.
Scott first arrived in Port Townsend in the summer of 1980 with plans to repair the 25-foot cutter he’d trucked over from the East Coast. He was enamored with the beauty of the area, writing home to his parents about the thick forests, endless views, and fresh vegetables provided by new friends.
Scott had a remarkable ease that drew people in and he quickly found his community on the peninsula. He was genuinely interested in other people’s stories — trips to the hardware store were known to take hours as he’d lose track of time chatting in the parking lot. His open and inquisitive presence earned him a large network of lifelong friends.
In 1991, Scott and his family moved into a small trailer atop 10 wooded acres overlooking Chimacum Valley. He was a master carpenter and over the years he constructed and added to a modest cabin built around the trailer, until he eventually remodeled the structure into a more traditional home. In the early months on the property, he read Tolkien by lantern light to his two young sons. As they grew older, he encouraged their curiosity, modeled craftsmanship, and taught them to embrace silliness.
Scott will be remembered for his kindness and for his sense of community. He was always eager to help others, whether one of his sons needed a tow from across the state or a friend invited him to a work party. Loved ones will miss his goofy nature, his stubbornness, and his adventure stories. He is survived by his sons Jakob Vala and Joe Lewis and by numerous friends and family members.
