Lynn Atwood
1952-2025
A great mentor and project manager with an eagle eye for detail, Lynn Leroy Atwood passed away peacefully on Oct. 16, surrounded by his family who loved him deeply.
Lynn was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Helen Joyce “Joy” Nickell Attwood and Wayne LeRoy Attwood. As a project architect and manager, most recently with FFKR Architects, Lynn was known for his steady presence, sharp mind and quiet sense of humor that made long workdays lighter. Lynn began his career with FFKR Architects in 2001 and retired in 2023. He earned his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Idaho and contributed to many significant projects throughout his career. Some of Lynn’s notable projects are the Salt Lake International Airport Central Utility Plant, the Salt Lake Airport Rental Car QTA & Service Sites, the Albion Middle School Renovation and the Olympus High School Replacement.
He married the love of his life, Loren Healy, on Aug. 6, 1977, in Salt Lake City, and shared 43 years of love, laughter and mutual understanding that needed few words. After Loren’s passing, Lynn carried her love with him every day. We take comfort knowing they’re together again, probably still debating how to load the dishwasher.
Lynn was a conscientious objector and a gentle soul who led with patience, curiosity and integrity. He found peace in painting, watching football, playing cards and spending time at the family cabin. His happiest place was often the dock, where he would fish and enjoy the quiet of the water and woods.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Loren Healy Attwood, and his parents, Joy and Wayne Attwood. He is survived by his daughters, Amy Attwood and Emily Attwood of Salt Lake City, and his two sisters, Michelle Attwood and Denise Attwood of Spokane, who will always carry his humor, kindness and warmth in their hearts.
He liked to joke that when he died, he’d come back as a jackass. If you hear braying in the distance, it might just be him, keeping an eye on things and reminding us to laugh.
Steven Crane
1948-2025
Steven Harold Crane, FAIA, passed away on Sept. 21 at the age of 77. A founding partner of VCBO, Steve was a dedicated leader of the firm and a driving force in Utah’s architectural community. His passion for design, commitment to community and generosity of spirit touched many, and he will be deeply missed.
Born May 22, 1948, Steve grew up in Draper, Utah, when the area was still surrounded by sugar beet farms. He developed an interest in architecture at an early age. In eighth grade, when assigned a project on future careers, he wrote a story about becoming an architect — a choice that would become his lifelong passion.
Steve attended Westminster College for his undergraduate studies, where he was a cheerleader and active in student government. Soon after graduating from the University of Utah School of Architecture in 1975, he joined Edwards and Daniels Architects in Salt Lake City. His career briefly took him abroad to teach in Malaysia before returning home, where he opened his own firm, Steve Crane & Associates, and maintained a successful practice for nearly a decade.
In the late 1980s, Steve reconnected with Niels Valentiner, a former classmate from the University of Utah. Peter Brunjes and Sean Onyon, who were associates with Niels at the time, were elevated as partners, and in 1989, Valentiner Crane Brunjes Onyon (now VCBO Architecture) was officially formed.
Among Steve’s most significant achievements was serving as principal on The City Library, the flagship branch of the Salt Lake City Public Library system. Completed in 2003, the library was designed as the city’s “urban living room” and remains one of the state’s most recognizable landmarks. Steve led VCBO’s effort to team with Safdie Architects, fostering a successful collaboration among stakeholders, national architects and local consultants. He is credited with spearheading the design of one of the building’s defining features: an expansive, glass-roofed atrium — the “urban room” — with open stairways, sky bridges and glass elevators.
Steve’s vision and leadership also established VCBO as one of the region’s premier education design firms. He championed innovative ideas that transformed school design in Utah, helping many school districts reimagine how facilities could support modern teaching and learning. Notably, he helped develop the concept of “learning communities” — open environments that broke from the traditional classroom-and-hallway model and sparked collaboration between students and educators, a feature still integrated into progressive school designs.
Steve deeply believed in the importance of the architectural profession and consistently engaged in industry leadership. He was an active participant in the American Institute of Architects (AIA), including the AIA Committee on Architecture for Education (AIA CAE). He was also involved with the Council of Educational Facilities Planners International, now known as the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE).
He also taught professional practice courses at the University of Utah School of Architecture, where he was known for bringing consultants, contractors and clients into the classroom to give students practical perspectives.
Steve was a mentor to many — inspiring, challenging and sometimes demanding. He expected excellence from those around him and was unafraid to propel people toward it. His intensity could be trying at times, but it also motivated colleagues to rise to the occasion and deliver their best work. His mentorship helped shape not only VCBO’s K-12 practice but also generations of architects who went on to carry forward his ideas and passion.
He also instilled in VCBO a culture of generosity and community engagement. His many efforts included projects for the Ronald McDonald House, Women Care Center, Christmas Box House, Road Home, and Make-A-Wish Utah. His design for Make-A-Wish in Murray included a crystalline wishing room inside a magical tower where children were surrounded by sparkling light and color — a space meant to inspire imagination and joy.
Outside of work, Steve was passionate about skiing, serving on the ski patrol at Park City Mountain Resort for more than 30 years. He also loved boating at Lake Powell, golfing with friends and clients, and cheering on the Utah Jazz — for whom he once convinced the firm to buy season tickets as a “marketing tool.”
Known for his wit and humor — often sharp and irreverent, but always memorable — Steve never met a stranger and had a gift for storytelling. He was also known for his bold, colorful sweaters, which became part of his unmistakable character.
Steve viewed VCBO as a family as much as a firm, and his legacy is woven into the fabric of the office. He was a great partner, a brilliant architect and a cherished friend. He is survived by his children, Chandler (Timothy) and Creighton; his granddaughter, Harlow; and his sisters, Cheryl and Cheri (Steve).
