Scott Allen Lichty

Scott Allen Lichty (1948-2026)

Scott Allen Lichty—handyman, housekeeper, Gustie, small business owner, Eagle Scout, congregant, choirboy, avowed AA advocate and Big Book Believer, useless knowledge fountain, wordsmith & puntificator, and beloved husband, father, friend, brother, uncle, and Papa—passed away quietly and peacefully on May 13, 2026, while surrounded by his loving family after a yearslong journey with Parkinson's disease.

Born in Concord, New Hampshire on April 12, 1948, Scott courageously ventured west to Minnesota as a lad to attend Gustavus Adolphus College. There, he majored in mathematics and calculated the somewhat clumsy (but ultimately successful) wooing of the perfect balance to his equation in Linda Jean Gilkey. They married in 1970, and Scott would go on to adore Linda—his love and lover and best friend and coparent and travel partner and coconspirator—unrelentingly until death did they part nearly 56 years later.

An entrepreneur and real estate investor, Scott partnered with people throughout his life to build deep, strong, and true foundations. He donated more than 100 gallons of (his very own) blood through his selfless dedication to aphaeresis, anchored the right side of the infield for several thirtysomething+ softball teams, built his character (and others’) through his lifelong involvement with the Boy Scouts of America, and poured his heart into raising his four beloved children (and seven even more beloved grandchildren). Scott was—perhaps more than any other thing—defined and consumed by his love for and devotion to his family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald Clifford and Marilyn (Eastman) Lichty, and countless friends and relatives who also departed too soon.

He will be remembered in life by, among so many others, his adored Linda (Gilkey) Lichty, brothers D. Terence (Susan) and Kevin, his children Brandon (Colleen), Marshall (Katie Buuck), Ross (Jessie), and Alex Heisel (J.P.), and his grandchildren Morgan and Lauren Lichty, Everett and Otis Lichty (and their mom Katie (Weiss) Lichty), Lainey and Ruby Lichty, and Lena Heisel.

If he could, he would invite you to "ash" him a few questions about his death and his journey beyond. He'd encourage you to hold your breath for his entire visitation and memorial service—which will be held at 10:00 and 11:30 a.m., respectively, on June 20, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, Minnesota—because "it is rude to breathe when other people can't." He’d tell you he finally got into the cemetery after years of… simply “dying to get in there.”

Those who are unable to attend are invited to watch Scott’s Memorial Service live, or view the recording afterward, by visiting Grace Lutheran Church YouTube Channel.

And he would invite you today—and every day—to help make someone in your life smile.

First, please consider sending any financial gifts you might be considering in Scott’s honor to the [Grace Lutheran Church endowment fund](https://graceofav.org/give). He would definitely smile at that.

And in lieu of any flowers you might be inclined to send, please consider instead sending a bouquet in Scott’s honor to your own beloved friend or loved one. Scott would have cherished your role in helping to spread a smile across their face, and he will smile right along with them and you from his honored perch, dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.

May he rest in peace.