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Monday, July 16, 2012

"Seven Habits" author Stephen Covey dies at EIRMC

Stephen R. Covey
Stephen R. Covey, author of "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" as well as three other books that have all sold more than a million copies, died early Monday at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.

According to a statement issued by the family, Covey, 80, died from complications that followed a bicycle accident he had in April. Though he had been wearing a helmet, he was hospitalized after being knocked unconscious on a steep road in the foothills of Provo, Utah, about 45 miles south of Salt Lake City. At the time, his publicist, Debra Lund, said doctors had not found any signs of long-term damage to his head. Catherine Sagers, Covey's daughter, told The Salt Lake Tribune in April that her father had suffered some bleeding on his brain after the bicycle accident.

Covey had a connection to this area through a cabin the family owns at Hebgen Lake in Montana, about 20 miles from West Yellowstone. In his book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families," Covey wrote that his grandfather first went there to recuperate from a heart attack. "That area was the best medicine for him. ... The word 'Hebgen' has become something of an intergenerational family mission statement. It means family love, unity, service, and joy to each of us in the family."

In addition to his books, Covey was co-founder of the Utah-based professional services company Franklin Covey.

Here is the text of the family's statement:

Our beloved husband and father, Stephen R. Covey, passed away peacefully in the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center at 2:15 this morning, due to the residual effects of a bike accident he suffered this past April. He was in his 80th year. In his final hours, he was surrounded by his loving wife and each one of his children and their spouses,  as we sang him his favorite hymns, just as he always wanted. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for all of the love and prayers that have been showered upon Stephen and our family from all around the globe over the past several months.

All our love,
The Stephen R. Covey Family