I am so sorry to learn of Steve's passing! Steve and I were in the Napa High School Band together. He played the French horn, I played the tenor saxophone. A great guy who will be sorely missed! I remember communicating with him via this website several years ago. I learned about his becoming a successful attorney in Los Altos and Palo Alto. My sincerest condolences to his family, friends and community.
Sorry to hear of Steve's passing..We were good friends in high school. He was a bright guy and always on the honor roll. While he was in Napa he was a defense attorney and I was in law enforcement. We had some great banter back and forth about our jobs. The banter was all in good fun. Always glad to see him at reunions and he will be missed..
Sorry to hear about Steve, we were in band together, and I was looking forward to talk with Steve at reunion 60's. Steve will be missed. We never know when God will call in our time ticket. God bless all of us that is left. Mel
Steve and I were both Napa High School Faculty kids! Our Dads both taught at Napa High so we saw eachother at all the Faculty Picnics! He was lots of fun then and he was always such a presence at Napa High! Always so intellegent and never looked down on those of us who were not quite on the same level! When I found out he had become an Attorney I was not at all surprised! Steve had a great laugh! I saw him at our reunion last October and he looked the picture of health and there was that great greeting from him as always. There is never enough time to really talk to everyone at the reunions and as usual we said hello, but did not have a chance to really talk! Sorry I missed the opportunity to really catch up with him! My sincerest condolences to all who loved and mourn his passing! I know he made a great contribution to this world!
Happy Thanksgiving to you, pal. It is a beautiful Fall Day which it always was, in that stretch of an elm tree lined Main Street, where you lived, between Central and Lincoln Avenues.
Many in our Class have offerred the warmest of feelings for you, but for me, their memories have missed a few very important ones which must not be lost. I met Steve on his first Day of Lincoln School, I believe 2nd or 3rd Grade. We became friends in early morning walks to school with me and my sister Audrey, from Adrian Street, and maybe Darryl Fong and sister Darlyne.
To me, from the very beginning, Steve actually set a very high Standard for those around him as well as the whole Class, even to Graduation. Never stated or spoken, but always 'felt' and understood, Steve really was a 'prodigy' --- though none of us really knew what that actually was; the word not yet in our vocabularies. Except maybe Barney Adler, for it was Barney who blessed Steve with the nickname 'Univac' ( I think that was the word (?), an early high tech term maybe for: 'brainy', right?), but always friendly and in jest. Steve liked everyone and everyone liked Steve. Steve had an easy smile and laugh that took anyone immediately in. Steve was a Cub Scout with some of us, but never a ball player like most, though in high school he swam and played football. Steve's real Passion was Music and especially the Piano. While we played outside, we listened to Steve 'Practice' inside; and long after we left I am sure. Every year from 2nd or 3rd grade to about 8th or 9th grade --- once or twice a year in our requisite 'Music' class, and maybe on the Audtorium stage, Steve would play for us on the piano: "The Flight of the Bumble Bees". Yes, even in 2nd grade ! Everyone always really loved it --- and I believe without ever quite understanding 'why', believed that Steve was somehow: 'special'. But Steve never put himself above anyone. Another memory of Steve was in Miss Prichard's 8th grade class at Redwood, when one day --- Steve came in and wrote onto the black board what He declared to be the longest Word in the Dictionary: ' floccinaucinihilipilification ', 29 letters. It means something to the effect: "Little or Nothing". I have never forgotten that word, or its spelling --- Nor have I ever had the occassion to 'use' that word. After Redwood, we shared a few classes, French III in 12th grade, Miss Floria. At about the 9th or 10th grades, for reasons I never knew, Steve switched to the French Horn which he even carried on to be a career for a while. After High School, my connection with Steve was through my parents as their legal advisor. I was in Brooklyn and NYC, studying Architecture; so they always told me what Steve was up to, and to him, me. One last memory is of Steve's Father, Thomas Elrick. A real 3 peice suit kind of guy, quiet, very nice, kind. Mr. Elrick was considered an important California Painter, whose style was similar to that of Gandma Moses, but California. At the 60th Reunion I asked Steve about his Dad, and where one might see his work --- Museum or Gallery, etc. Aside from possessing a few Paintings, Steve was not that nowledgeale. I had hoped maybe Napa College or the Goodman Library. ( If anyone knows, I would appreciate anything you can offer.) I still think about those Paintings I recall, and shall continue to inquire. Steve is many good memories and was one who I hoped to be able to talk to again.
I think this format is telling me: " enough ". Thanks for the opportunity to share. Frank Frost.
TO FRANK, I TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR 'COMMENT' CONCERNING STEVE. WHEN I THINK BACK ABOUT STEVE, I WOULD SAY WE WERE FRIENDS, BUT LIKE YOU, I THINK ANYONE WHO KNEW STEVE FELT LIKE THEY WERE FRIENDS. STEVE HAD A WAY OF INTERACTING WITH YOU DIRECTLY WHENEVER YOU WERE IN CONVERSATION. YOU SPOKE OF STEVE'S LAUGH. YES, I CAN HEAR HIM NOW. IT WAS UNIQUE TO HIM AND HIM ALONE. WE WEREN'T IN BAND TOGETHER, MAYBE BECAUSE I COULDN'T PLAY AN INSTRUMENT. WE WEREN'T IN SPORTS TOGETHER, MAYBE BECAUSE MY ONLY SPORT WAS BASEBALL. SADLY I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER CLASSES TOGETHER, BUT OUR LIFE PATHS CROSSED CONSTANTLY AND I AM SO THANKFUL TO HAVE HAD HIM AS A SMALL PART OF MY LIFE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE LOSS SO MANY MUST FEEL, AL
Thanks for the endearing remembrace of Steve. He is certainly unforgettable and was a genius in many areas, inluding humor. Aren't you lucky to have had such a delightful mutual history. Lonna
William 'Bill' Knox, Jr.
I am so sorry to learn of Steve's passing! Steve and I were in the Napa High School Band together. He played the French horn, I played the tenor saxophone. A great guy who will be sorely missed! I remember communicating with him via this website several years ago. I learned about his becoming a successful attorney in Los Altos and Palo Alto. My sincerest condolences to his family, friends and community.
Thomas 'Tom' Johnston Jr.
Sorry to hear of Steve's passing..We were good friends in high school. He was a bright guy and always on the honor roll. While he was in Napa he was a defense attorney and I was in law enforcement. We had some great banter back and forth about our jobs. The banter was all in good fun. Always glad to see him at reunions and he will be missed..
Melvin Mel Northern
Sorry to hear about Steve, we were in band together, and I was looking forward to talk with Steve at reunion 60's. Steve will be missed. We never know when God will call in our time ticket. God bless all of us that is left. MelWilliam 'Bill' Muirhead
I was sad to hear of Steve’s passing. He was a very well grounded guy, and friends to all. All the best to his family and friends. RIP
Jonnette Lucas (Kvamme)
Steve and I were both Napa High School Faculty kids! Our Dads both taught at Napa High so we saw eachother at all the Faculty Picnics! He was lots of fun then and he was always such a presence at Napa High! Always so intellegent and never looked down on those of us who were not quite on the same level! When I found out he had become an Attorney I was not at all surprised! Steve had a great laugh! I saw him at our reunion last October and he looked the picture of health and there was that great greeting from him as always. There is never enough time to really talk to everyone at the reunions and as usual we said hello, but did not have a chance to really talk! Sorry I missed the opportunity to really catch up with him! My sincerest condolences to all who loved and mourn his passing! I know he made a great contribution to this world!
Karen Kiser (Bridewell)
RIP Steve. My heartfelt sympathy to your family and friends. Friends since 1955 or '56 junior high at Napa High 7h grade Ms Pritchard's class
Frank Frost
Dear Steve,
Happy Thanksgiving to you, pal. It is a beautiful Fall Day which it always was, in that stretch of an elm tree lined Main Street, where you lived, between Central and Lincoln Avenues.
Many in our Class have offerred the warmest of feelings for you, but for me, their memories have missed a few very important ones which must not be lost. I met Steve on his first Day of Lincoln School, I believe 2nd or 3rd Grade. We became friends in early morning walks to school with me and my sister Audrey, from Adrian Street, and maybe Darryl Fong and sister Darlyne.
To me, from the very beginning, Steve actually set a very high Standard for those around him as well as the whole Class, even to Graduation. Never stated or spoken, but always 'felt' and understood, Steve really was a 'prodigy' --- though none of us really knew what that actually was; the word not yet in our vocabularies. Except maybe Barney Adler, for it was Barney who blessed Steve with the nickname 'Univac' ( I think that was the word (?), an early high tech term maybe for: 'brainy', right?), but always friendly and in jest. Steve liked everyone and everyone liked Steve. Steve had an easy smile and laugh that took anyone immediately in. Steve was a Cub Scout with some of us, but never a ball player like most, though in high school he swam and played football. Steve's real Passion was Music and especially the Piano. While we played outside, we listened to Steve 'Practice' inside; and long after we left I am sure. Every year from 2nd or 3rd grade to about 8th or 9th grade --- once or twice a year in our requisite 'Music' class, and maybe on the Audtorium stage, Steve would play for us on the piano: "The Flight of the Bumble Bees". Yes, even in 2nd grade ! Everyone always really loved it --- and I believe without ever quite understanding 'why', believed that Steve was somehow: 'special'. But Steve never put himself above anyone. Another memory of Steve was in Miss Prichard's 8th grade class at Redwood, when one day --- Steve came in and wrote onto the black board what He declared to be the longest Word in the Dictionary: ' floccinaucinihilipilification ', 29 letters. It means something to the effect: "Little or Nothing". I have never forgotten that word, or its spelling --- Nor have I ever had the occassion to 'use' that word. After Redwood, we shared a few classes, French III in 12th grade, Miss Floria. At about the 9th or 10th grades, for reasons I never knew, Steve switched to the French Horn which he even carried on to be a career for a while. After High School, my connection with Steve was through my parents as their legal advisor. I was in Brooklyn and NYC, studying Architecture; so they always told me what Steve was up to, and to him, me. One last memory is of Steve's Father, Thomas Elrick. A real 3 peice suit kind of guy, quiet, very nice, kind. Mr. Elrick was considered an important California Painter, whose style was similar to that of Gandma Moses, but California. At the 60th Reunion I asked Steve about his Dad, and where one might see his work --- Museum or Gallery, etc. Aside from possessing a few Paintings, Steve was not that nowledgeale. I had hoped maybe Napa College or the Goodman Library. ( If anyone knows, I would appreciate anything you can offer.) I still think about those Paintings I recall, and shall continue to inquire. Steve is many good memories and was one who I hoped to be able to talk to again.
I think this format is telling me: " enough ". Thanks for the opportunity to share. Frank Frost.
Rosemary Zumwalt (Zumwalt)
Frank, what a lovely comment about Steve. It is endearing and comperhensive. Rosemary Zumwalt
Alvin 'Al' Hawkins III
TO FRANK, I TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR 'COMMENT' CONCERNING STEVE. WHEN I THINK BACK ABOUT STEVE, I WOULD SAY WE WERE FRIENDS, BUT LIKE YOU, I THINK ANYONE WHO KNEW STEVE FELT LIKE THEY WERE FRIENDS. STEVE HAD A WAY OF INTERACTING WITH YOU DIRECTLY WHENEVER YOU WERE IN CONVERSATION. YOU SPOKE OF STEVE'S LAUGH. YES, I CAN HEAR HIM NOW. IT WAS UNIQUE TO HIM AND HIM ALONE. WE WEREN'T IN BAND TOGETHER, MAYBE BECAUSE I COULDN'T PLAY AN INSTRUMENT. WE WEREN'T IN SPORTS TOGETHER, MAYBE BECAUSE MY ONLY SPORT WAS BASEBALL. SADLY I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER CLASSES TOGETHER, BUT OUR LIFE PATHS CROSSED CONSTANTLY AND I AM SO THANKFUL TO HAVE HAD HIM AS A SMALL PART OF MY LIFE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE LOSS SO MANY MUST FEEL, AL
Lonna Edwards (Necker)
Frank,
Thanks for the endearing remembrace of Steve. He is certainly unforgettable and was a genius in many areas, inluding humor. Aren't you lucky to have had such a delightful mutual history. Lonna