Scott Lightfoot

Scott Lightfoot left this life on Monday, December 3rd, 2012 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, after a courageous battle against cancer. He was born in San Diego, California on October 4th, 1962 to Phyllis and Bud Lightfoot. Soon after, he moved with his family to Elkhart, Indiana, where he grew up. An educational nomad, he studied Geology at Purdue University and Communication Photography at Goshen College before finally giving in to his love of the art of photography, graduating with a Photojournalism degree from Ball State University in 1988. In 1989 he married Cheryl Wensits. In 1992, their son Cameron was born, and son Malcolm joined the family in 1998. As a post-graduate, Scott followed his heart to various career opportunities from photojournalist to freelance photographer to ranch hand always with an eye on the artistic opportunities in his situation. Following his diverse career path through graduate school, he became a teacher at Toledos Catholic Diocese schools and then a technology coordinator for Toledo School for the Arts. Encouraged by the love of painting, drawing and photography, he became a full-time artist in 2011. In 2010, Scott was diagnosed for the second time with colon cancer, having put the disease in remission in his first battle back in 1992. This time, cancer proved a more daunting foe, foiling the initial surgical and chemotherapy treatments. It was his experience as a cancer survivor, then patient again, that inspired his art and his writing. Scott not only captured the intense, focused battle of chemotherapy vs. cancer in his art, but also in his writing, as he documented his daily physical and emotional fights with the disease. Scott never passively accepted his diagnosis, but threw himself into research to become an active fighter against disease and proved to be an inspiration for all who met him. Though Scott lost his battle with cancer, his legacy as a writer and artist, as well as a beloved husband, father and friend lives on. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Cheryl (Wensits) Lightfoot and sons Cameron and Malcolm. His mother, Phyllis, his brother Paul Lightfoot and sisters, Sarah Williams and Jamie Wheeler, their spouses and children also survive. Countless friends, most as close as family, also will be mourning his loss. His beloved father Bud and grandparents, Ruth and Orbie Lightfoot, Eris Friend and Samuel and Rose Mandel preceded him in death. He will be greatly missed by all. A memorial service will be held at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral at 11am on Friday, December 7th. If you would like to send a donation, please consider The Victory Center, 5532 West Central Avenue, Toledo, OH 43615 or The Cancer Connection of Northwest Ohio, 816 Regina Pkwy. Toledo, OH 43612.