Stephen Covey – An Obituary

Stephen Covey, famous motivational speaker and author of highly inspirational books, passed away at a hospital in Idaho Falls in US, on Monday the 16^th July 2012, the age of 79. The death was the result of complications that arose from a fall while he was cycling in April this year. 

Stephen Covey came from a family of committed evangelists. In fact his grandfather had started his own Church. Spirituality, therefore, has been the way from the very beginning of his life. An MBA from Harvard School, he was a professor at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University at the time of his death. 

He will ever be remembered for the books that he had published. His most popular book was The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Other creations of him include First Things First, Principle-Centered Leadership, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families, The 8th Habit, and The Leader In Me - How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness. Almost all the books were best sellers. He had huge fan following across the world thru his books and teaching. 

Along the way, he established the Covey Leadership Center which later merged with Franklin Quest to form FranklinCovey, a global professional services firm with specialty retailing of both training and productivity tools to individuals and organizations. The motto of FranklinCovey was to enable greatness in people and organizations everywhere, a very noble objective!


In 1996, Time Magazine had named him as one of the most influential Americans. His organization was a mix of spirituality, entrepreneurship and knowledge dissemination. He drew immense strength from religion to become one of the most influential motivational speakers in the second half of last century and the first decades of this. Many of his trainees/mentees are eternally grateful to him for helping them chart a new successful course in their life. He brought reason, solace, values and love in their life. His examples and metaphors of teaching were very empathy provoking and enabled people to walk the talk.


His living was based on Mormon traditions but with the interpretations of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Perhaps going by its traditions he sired a large family of 9 nine children that included more than half century grant children. Thus he was a patriarch of not only his student fraternity but also to a big family of his own.

Many awards, recognition and accolades came his way.  The Thomas More College Medallion for continuing service to humanity, The National Entrepreneur of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award, The Sikh's 1998 International Man of Peace Award, 2004 Golden Gavel award from Toastmasters International,^, Maharishi Award from Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Corporate Core Values Award from the California University of Pennsylvania are some of them.

Stephen Covey will be remembered long for his motivational lectures and inspirational books. His preaching and adherence to values had captivated millions across the globe. May his noble soul rest in eternal peace.