Posted in Miscellaneous
I lost a friend today.
Steve kayaking
He was a sweet, thoughtful, and generous man—and I always enjoyed being around him.
I met Steve several years ago on a kayak outing through our church. We had outdoorsy friends in common, so we bumped into each other frequently after that. Steve was the silent type, but he smiled a lot and was quick to laugh.
My warmest memories of Steve involve kayaking and snowshoeing. He never cared about fitting in or keeping up or proving anything. He marched to his own drummer. He loved just being out there—in God’s country. When he wasn’t participating, he was behind the scenes—schlepping gear, cheering his friends on, fixing meals—and he seemed to get as much joy from all that as he would if he were doing the activity himself.
Our snowshoe hike along the river.
I last saw Steve in January when we were at Tahoe with friends for a snowshoeing weekend. The first day the two of us ventured out alone. We were both new to the sport, so trekking along at our own leisurely pace was perfect. I remember so clearly… it was a crisp, blue-sky day and the snow along the river was pristine.
Steve was fit and strong and had that ever-present, slightly shy smile on his face.
That was such a short time ago.
Today he’s gone.
Just like that.
What a poignant reminder that in the span of eternity we are “but a breath” here on earth (Psalm 39:5). Our time is short. We cheat ourselves when we take life for granted. Or family or friends. Or mountain peaks, or pounding surf, or wildflowers, or stunning sunsets. They are breathtaking gifts from the passionate, loving God Who plans our days.
Steve has left us to be with the One Who loves him more than we can fathom.
And he leaves us with a legacy of sweet memories.
Let’s honor his memory by embracing life to the fullest, and by daily thanking the One Who gives it.
Steve’s birthday dinner.
Steve with Kelly
Steve with long-time dear friend Janice
- Steve with George
If you knew Steve…
Do you have a favorite memory of him?
What did you appreciate most about him?
What a lovely tribute. I only met Steve a couple of times, he was a nice and friendly guy. I feel like I know him pretty well as I have heard about him for years from my sister Janice B. She told me so many times what a wonderful guy he was and how she could always count on him. His loss will be greatly felt by her and I am sure many others. My deep felt sympathy to all who knew him and loved him. May you, in time, see joy for a time when you will be reuntied.
Every time I ran into Steve at Caltrans he always had a smile on his face. He brightened up the office with his smile. I know he is looking down on his family, friends and co-workers and smiling at all the lives he touched, the memories he’s left behind. Maria
Steve was an amazing guy and a great friend – he was always up for a kayak trip and always making sure everyone had what they needed. I remember the time we were out in the kayaks and Steve was demonstrating the “roll.” That was awesome!! The kayak clan misses him and so do I. We know that God is faithful, so, Steve, it is not goodbye, it is only until we meet again.
A number of you are having difficulty posting your comments. I’m working on getting that fixed for you! If you’d like, you may send me your message for Steve and I’ll post it for you. Either go to the “Meet Dee” tab on this website, then click on “Contact Dee” in the drop-down menu to leave your message, or simply go to http://www.deebright.com/contact and that will also take you to that page. Thanks for your patience!
FROM SANDI TRAN: I am not only loss a boss but also a friend, mentor, co-worker and a family member. I am extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to work for Steve. He has always a conscientious, nice, helpful and a genuinely man. I will always remember his friendly voice, smile, love, support and leadership. I still can hear his voice calling me from his office, “SANDI” or when he stop by my desk and say, “Good Morning” , “We need to talk” , “Let hear Happy Song”, “Let be positive”, “We can do it”…etc. All the memories of you still seem like yesterday. I still remembered how you always talk about your daughter Kimberly and Nick. How you so proud of them and how you enjoy to have them. Never a day that I did not see you smile or unhappy, and you always make things easier me and our staff to deal with. You will always be missed and in my thought forever.
I met Steve about 7 years ago kayaking and camping with Bayside and SSK Kayaking clubs. We enjoyed many days on the water and around campsites from Monterey to Lake Tahoe to the Mendocino Coast. I admired Steve’s courage, sense of adventure and willingness to try new things. His love of kayaking and the outdoors was evident even in his final days as we talked about getting back on the water after his recovery. For those who knew Steve, it was obvious that he poured himself into all he did and was equally passionate about family, friends, home, and his the outdoors. Steve made a lasting impression and will be remembered by many for a long time to come.
FROM JANICE BRIAL: I miss Steve so much, as he was like a brother to me. We met in 1988, on my first day of work in Caltrans Accounting. He was my first office partner. We have had season tickets at the Broadway Series for 11 years. We bought kayaks together in 2002 and we shared that passion through Bayside Adventure Sports, with Kelly and George Baraga being our leaders and dear friends. We were members at the Crocker Museum and enjoyed going to museums in San Francisco and special events. We traveled in Steve’s beloved trailer to many places including Monterey, Tahoe, Collins Lake, Hurst Castle and Mendocino. Years ago we flew to Florida and saw Disney World, Cape Canaveral, and an amazing horse show that Steve loved. We took western dance lessons together and then moved on to ballroom dance lessons. My life will not be the same without Steve.
Steve loved his children, Kimberly and Nick so much. He loved his mother, Gerry. He was proud of his grandfather and the one legged milking stool he used at his dairy in the Point Reyes area.
But to me, Steve was my friend and my brother. We laughed and we danced. We fell out of our kayaks and into the water and could not stop laughing. We became closer to Christ and shared marsh mellows on campfires. We gave each other big supportive hugs. I will miss Steve until my last minute on earth. Then, I can’t wait to join him in Heaven.
FROM KELLY BARAGA: This week I have been lost for words. Steve has been such a huge part of my life for the past ten years and it is hard to believe that he left us so quickly. But God had different plans. Steve was a special person; had a servant’s heart and loved the Lord.
Steve was solid, determined and had a heart of gold. When he joined our kayak ministry, he jumped in with everything he had. He was not the type of person that held back. If he loved you, you knew it. If you needed anything, he was your guy. Steve was selfless, serving others like no one else I knew. He would hang on the shore making sure everyone was secured in their kayaks, hatches buckled down and PFD’s secured. No one was ever left behind. Steve was a leader from the day I met him. He meant the world to me and will always have a special place in my heart. You only meet so many people in your life that have such a profound effect of you. Steve changed my life. He taught me how to live for today and not to take what God gives us for granted. He showed me how to be a true friend & was one of my dearest friends ever.
During the last week while we sat and talked with Steve, he was at peace and knew that his life meant something. He raised two beautiful & amazing children, Kimberly and Nicholas, who were the apples of his eye. He was surrounding by family & friends until he breathed his last breath. And he went home to be with his Heavenly Father. I miss you my dear friend but I know that we will see each other again. God takes the best and he truly knew that Steve was his devoted son!
Steve was a sweet and gentle man. He will be missed and my prayers are with Steve’s family!
Steve Ramos has been my boss for a while now up to the time of his death. Simply put, Steve was a great and wonderful person. As a boss or supervisor, he created a free and comfortable environment where every one has an opportunity to learn, grow, and operate as a team. I pray for his family, myself and my coworkers, and our entire Caltrans family. May his soul rest in peace.
Steve was Mr. Nice, he was very cool and caring person. It is quite a loss for his family and Caltrans friends,
FROM MARY ANNE GEE: I have known Steve for nine years. He is an important part of my association with our local kayak club. We have been campsite-mates at Mendocino for six years. He is such a nice, easy person to be around. He is my goto person for technical info on car and kayak equipment maintenance. I am so thankful that we paddled in June, and attended the club bbq in July. That was the last time I shared fun times with Steve before news of his illness. I will miss him. He is the best campsite mate.
S is for savior who he is with now
T is for travels we remember them well
E is for everything he did for his friends
V is for very much missing him
E is for eternity when well see him again
Just came back home to CA,find many Emails about Steve. Wow ! I need to have Faith, that Lord calls us when it’s time to be with him.
I been blessed to get to know Steve. He was such a kind, gentle soul who shares his love and care for everyone around. My fondest memory of him… was at Kayaking around Lake Tahoe trip. He brought his wonderful RV waited for us to show up from shore. He made us all so Happy, shared his steak with all of us hungry kayakers in Camp. We shared so much Laughs and Happiness through his support for us during that trip !! Great comfort to know that we will see him again in Heaven. THANK YOU STEVE !! for showing us how to care for one another. See you soon !
Love in Christ,
Nanhee
FROM PATTY NUNN: I was working on a weekend morning and so was Steve. He came by and told me he was leaving early to go kayaking at Lake Natomas with some friends, and invited me to join him. I drove home and geared up, threw my boat on the car and had an unexpected lovely outing that afternoon. Thanks, Steve!
Steve was my friend for four years and with whom I wanted to be better friends. For three years we shared great times paddling at Mendocino. Steve introduced me to ocean kayaking off the Mendocino coast. He showed me how to paddle near rocks and explore sea caves. He guided me up the protected ocean channel along the cliffs north of Van Damme State Park with all of its amazing sea life.
The following year Steve helped me show these ocean wonders to my daughter. Under Steve’s watchful eye, I felt that my daughter and I were safe.
After paddling it was alway fun to share good times with Steve in the evening. He was a master at tending a campfire. I will always remember Steve, my daughter, and me laughing our heads off watching “My Cousin Vinny” in my trailer at Van Damme after a day of paddling. On another occasion, Steve even joined me in my hunt for a TV in Fort Bragg so that I could watch Cal beat Fresno State in football last season.
I found out that Steve was ill when I called him in July to invite him to go camping at Fallen Leaf Lake. He did not know what was causing him to feel sick. A few weeks later, I asked him to go to Tuolumne Meadows with my son and me. He still was not well and told me he thought his illness was a medication imbalance. A week or so later, he told me that he had cancer. We arranged to meet, but he was hospitalized and passed away before we could do so.
Like Steve’s other friends, I am blessed to have known him. He was an ACE as a friend, a true gentleman, and a keeper. I will miss him.
My memories of Steve go back a few years…when we were members of the Bayside Pathfinders. Our group went on many outdoor adventures together. His favorite was always kayaking. And, boy, did he go full-throttle with it–investing in many lessons and bigger and better kayaks. That’s one thing I knew about Steve–his desire to excel in whatever he did. It was fun hanging out with him because of his positive attitude, friendly nature, and thoughtful ways. I wonder, are there kayaks in heaven? Jesus was well-acquainted with boats, too. Perhaps Steve and Jesus are navigating the water together? My prayer is that God will comfort his loved ones because, even though this life on earth is brief, God’s kingdom is eternal.
FROM JUDI DECKER: Steve was always there for us with a smile and an offer of help. One time we were kayaking towards the ocean and I was wet and freezing. Steve had an extra wetsuit top in his kayak and let me use it. I will never forget Steve for all of his kindness. Loved him.