Former Alaska Senate President Ben Stevens Dies During Hike At Age 63

Ben Stevens, former Alaska Senate president and son of the late Sen. Ted Stevens (R), died while hiking at the age of 63.

Alaska State Troopers first responded to the emergency call on Thursday evening, according to a statement.

“Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of a hiker having a medical emergency with CPR in progress on the Lost Lake Trail in the Chugach National Forest outside of Seward,” the report noted.

“The hiker was later identified as Ben Stevens, age 63 of Anchorage. Coordinates were obtained and Lifemed was requested to respond. Alaska State Troopers and U.S. Forest Service officers responded to the trailhead. Lifemed reached the scene at 6:41 pm. and lifesaving measures were unsuccessful. Stevens body was transported by Lifemed to Anchorage,” it added.

Stevens most recently served as vice president of external affairs and transportation at ConocoPhillips Alaska, joining the company in 2021. Company President Erec Isaacson released a statement regarding the late senator’s death on Friday.

“The entire ConocoPhillips family is deeply saddened by the sudden passing on Thursday evening of our friend and colleague, Ben Stevens,” he wrote.

“Our sympathies are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Ben was a valued leader at ConocoPhillips Alaska and leaves a significant legacy in the state of Alaska. Ben will be deeply missed not only by his family and colleagues, but in the broader Alaska community,” the statement added.

Prior to his work at ConocoPhillips Alaska, Stevens worked as chief of staff for Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

“Ben Stevens was a good friend of mine. I will always cherish the time he was my Chief of Staff; his knowledge and political acumen were significant assets in my administration. Rose and I offer our prayers to Ben’s wife, Elizabeth, and the kids during this difficult time,” Dunleavy shared on Twitter.

Stevens served in the state Senate from 2001-2006, also serving as Senate president in 2005-2006 before choosing not to seek re-election. Federal agents raided his office in 2006 though Stevens was never charged in relation to a corruption probe.

His father, the late Sen. Ted Stevens, died in a plane crash in 2010. He served in the U.S. Senate for 40 years before his death. The Ted Stevens Foundation continues his work as a champion for the people of Alaska and the nation.

“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Ben Stevens, the Senator’s youngest son. A leader in our state, Ben leaves a lasting legacy as a businessman, commercial fisherman, political leader, and executive,” the foundation released in a statement on Facebook. “Most importantly, he was a devoted and loving husband and father, often found at the hockey rink or on the shores of the Naknek River. As we mourn the loss of Ben, we are grateful for the outpouring of support.”