Nathaniel Covington "Cov" Scotten IV

Nathaniel Covington “Cov” Scotten IV, of Galesville, passed away peacefully at home on January 2, 2026, at the age of 79. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nathaniel “Nat” Covington Scotten III and Colleen Smith Scotten, and by his brother, Norman “Buck” Scotten. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bonnie Scotten, with whom he shared a life full of laughter, cherished traditions, and the steady love that shaped their family. He is also survived by his children—Stephanie Pfister (John), Tracy Hughes (Donny Mader), and Nathaniel Covington “Scott” Scotten V (Meghan Day)—who each carry forward his resilience, humor, and unmistakable Scotten spirit. Cov was a proud “Pop” to eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Gladys (Sears) Clark (Tommy), along with a large extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He formed deep, lasting friendships throughout his life, and to those he spoke with nearly every day, know that he treasured you and held you close to his heart. For 63 years, Cov dedicated himself to the Galesville Volunteer Fire Department, serving as a volunteer firefighter and as President for more than four decades. He also served proudly in the United States Navy aboard the USS Charles P. Cecil DD-835 and was a Vietnam War veteran. Cov loved picking crabs, cooking for his family, spending time with the “boys” at the firehouse, and watching sports—especially Women’s College Basketball and Little League World Series. He was known for sharing his favorite saying, “Finer than frog hair split four ways,” with just about everyone he met. He also took great pride in his honorary degree in “Flipperology” from the University of Wisconsin—if you know, you know. He will be remembered for his sharp wit, his one-of-a-kind way of expressing himself, his lifelong service, and the unwavering loyalty he showed to family, friends, and community. His legacy lives on in the people he loved, the community he served, and the countless lives he touched. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Galesville Volunteer Fire Department, 4680 Muddy Creek Rd, Galesville, MD 20765. A Celebration of Life will be held on February 22, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Galesville Memorial Hall, 952 Main Street, Galesville. A private interment will be held at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery.

Nathaniel Covington "Cov" Scotten IV

August 16, 1946 - January 2, 2026