I first met Steve in our junior-year wrestling class. We were the ones always chosen last for sports teams in gym, he very short, me very skinny. I could see he was uncomfortable and nervous watching other students go out to the center of the mat to commence wrestling -- totally out of his element. I struck up a conversation with him by commenting about his wrist watch he was wearing (nobody wore their wrist watch to gym class). In good humor (our defense), I gave him the quick nickname "Captain Time." From thereafter, we became close friends, always supporting each other. We remained so throughout the years, he with his wife and family and me with mine.
Steve was a published poet including poems that were printed in the New Yorker. He began writing poems at Millikan and had some printed in a Millikan collection -- can't recall the name of the publication. He wrote a poem in my senior yearbook when signing it. He taught creative writing at LBCC and formed a voluntary after-class group called "The Writers Block" where students would get together to share their compositions. The group still meets occasionally to this date. Steve was also an accomplished musician. He had a Hammond Organ at home that was equipped with two keyboards, bass pedals, and a multitude of stop levers. I would watch him play complex Bach pieces and was amazed at the physical coordination required, playing one melody line on one keyboard, another line on the other keyboard below, another line with his feet on the bass pedals, flipping stop levers, and turning the music notation pages ALL AT THE SAME TIME. For a brief period, Steve joined our rock band with several other Millikan alumni that formed right after high school where he played a mean "In a Gadda Da Vida" and "Light My Fire" on portable keyboard. While the two of us were at CSULB, we would go to the forth floor of the library where there were rooms with upright pianos. He would play me absolutely beautiful music pieces he had composed. In short, a very talented man.
Steve, my friend, we went through so much together over the years. Thank you for all your support and for being there. I miss our friendship. Rest in peace Steve.
What a beautiful "in Memory" for your dear friend, John. He sounds like a really terrifically talented guy and a great friend. That his studets still get together is a testament to what his teaching meant to them. I'm sorry for your loss.
Thank you very much to those taking the time to read about Steve. He would have appreciated it. A very popular author once wrote, “Friends come in and out of your life like busboys in a restaurant.” But Steve was so much more than a busboy. He was a steadfast, solid, loyal, lasting friend. We should all be so lucky as to know someone like him.
Beautiful condolences and memories of a fine talented gentleman. I know Steve would be very happy that
he had a following that thought of him at this time! May he be resting in Peace and writing more amazing
pages. To know him is to remember him so others may also!! Thank you ! RIP Steve.
John Knopf
I first met Steve in our junior-year wrestling class. We were the ones always chosen last for sports teams in gym, he very short, me very skinny. I could see he was uncomfortable and nervous watching other students go out to the center of the mat to commence wrestling -- totally out of his element. I struck up a conversation with him by commenting about his wrist watch he was wearing (nobody wore their wrist watch to gym class). In good humor (our defense), I gave him the quick nickname "Captain Time." From thereafter, we became close friends, always supporting each other. We remained so throughout the years, he with his wife and family and me with mine.
Steve was a published poet including poems that were printed in the New Yorker. He began writing poems at Millikan and had some printed in a Millikan collection -- can't recall the name of the publication. He wrote a poem in my senior yearbook when signing it. He taught creative writing at LBCC and formed a voluntary after-class group called "The Writers Block" where students would get together to share their compositions. The group still meets occasionally to this date. Steve was also an accomplished musician. He had a Hammond Organ at home that was equipped with two keyboards, bass pedals, and a multitude of stop levers. I would watch him play complex Bach pieces and was amazed at the physical coordination required, playing one melody line on one keyboard, another line on the other keyboard below, another line with his feet on the bass pedals, flipping stop levers, and turning the music notation pages ALL AT THE SAME TIME. For a brief period, Steve joined our rock band with several other Millikan alumni that formed right after high school where he played a mean "In a Gadda Da Vida" and "Light My Fire" on portable keyboard. While the two of us were at CSULB, we would go to the forth floor of the library where there were rooms with upright pianos. He would play me absolutely beautiful music pieces he had composed. In short, a very talented man.
Steve, my friend, we went through so much together over the years. Thank you for all your support and for being there. I miss our friendship. Rest in peace Steve.
Phyllis Reisman (Kasparian)
What a beautiful "in Memory" for your dear friend, John. He sounds like a really terrifically talented guy and a great friend. That his studets still get together is a testament to what his teaching meant to them. I'm sorry for your loss.
Howard Higgins
I remember that class, and Steve's excellent spirit.
The smallest wrestlers, whether they were jocks or not ,were always the fastest.
They made it look like a completely different, and a much more exciting sport.
Rest in peace Steve.
John Knopf
Thank you very much to those taking the time to read about Steve. He would have appreciated it. A very popular author once wrote, “Friends come in and out of your life like busboys in a restaurant.” But Steve was so much more than a busboy. He was a steadfast, solid, loyal, lasting friend. We should all be so lucky as to know someone like him.
Michael Lipson
Well spoken and thanks, John Knopf.
Joyce Patti (Seymour)
Such a beautifully wriiten ode to a friend. RIP
Jenn Falk
Beautiful condolences and memories of a fine talented gentleman. I know Steve would be very happy that
he had a following that thought of him at this time! May he be resting in Peace and writing more amazing
pages. To know him is to remember him so others may also!! Thank you ! RIP Steve.