- 92 years old
- Date of birth: Mar 7, 1918
- Date of passing: Sep 19, 2010
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Love,Learn,Labor,Laugh,Leave (Steve's 5 most important things in life) |  |
This memorial website was created in the rememberance and celebration of Stephen Hinrichs.
"Inasmuch as I have no affiliation with any church or organized religion, no funeral ceremony should follow my death. I direct that my remains be cremated and the ashes committed to the waters of Penobscot Bay.
If it pleases my family and friends to gather for some sort of memorial, I have no objections. I ask them only to remember that I have had a full and rewarding life and that any gathering should celebrate the love they have given me and the good fortune I have enjoyed.
However, given that family and friends are scattered over the globe, it follows that no single gathering will be possible. Therefore, a website has been eslablished to enable those who wish to exchange remberances and sentiments."
Steve
Dear Friends and Family,
We know how much Steve meant to each one of you. We encourage you to raise a glass, recall good times and if some of you live close to one another to gather together and celebrate. We look forward to your stories and communications and accounts of your celebrations.
We are thinking of how to carry out his wishes some time next summer and one suggestion from Christian (his son) in a spontaneous moment was "We should have a regatta." There's a thought: a Gathering via floating vessels to see him off. We'll keep you posted.
Please feel free to leave a tribute below, or on the Stories tab leave a remembered moment, quote or poem where you can also include a photo or a song to accompany your story. On the Gallery tab at the bottom of the page you have the ability to leave a photograph.
It would be lovely for us if at the bottom of your tribute or story you mention how you know Steve (AIC, Harley, John Burroughs, Rochester, Samoset, Vinalhaven, NYSAIS, etc.).
Thank you and love to all, Stephen's Family
address: Grace Hinrichs and Family, 45 Village Way #39, Rockport, Maine 04856
It has now been a year since Stephen passed:
On the weekend of September 10-11 the whole Hinrichs family gathered in Rockport, Maine, to share memories of Steve and honor his wish to have his ashes scattered in the waters of Penobscot Bay where he loved to sail.
If you click on the "Stories" tab you will find a description of those wonderful days along with some poems and photos. Also, there are more photos in the Gallery tab.
When Stephen's ashes were scattered, daisies were also scattered into the waters of the Penobscot Bay. On some of those daisies notes were attached that were written to include everyone who ever sent words of tribute or love about Stephen whether in letters, email, verbally or in thought, you were all included in the day.
Thank you all, the Hinrichs family
"Steve opened the possibility for young minds to pursue their dreams. Being a Harley student and an AIC camper helped me develop an appreciation of the beauty of traditional watercraft and the adventure of exploring the world. Steve taught me to pay attention to my hygiene so that others would not call me “Big Daddy Barnsmell.” After college I sailed for 17 years in traditional vessels."
"Steve Hinrichs was my teacher and coach at JBS way back, early 1960s. He was a significant factor in my interest in founding an independent school much more recently and was kind enough to remember me thirty-five years later and counsel me during the founding and later during our head searching. To me, he and Keith Shahan are models of independent school culture and teaching. Thank you."
"I've just put under the "Stories" tab something Steve wrote in December 1985--his reflections on the meaning of this season as printed in the NYSAIS Newsletter (and reprinted many times) May it bring you "light and joy and hope."
With warm wishes for the holidays, the solstice, and the new year,
Grace (and Steve)"
"Lessons from Steve: 1) Always leave the campsite (and the World) better than you found it. 2) Love and learn from history 3)Campers should decide how to use their time creatively-- othewise they will be boring creatures by the age of 30 4) Use the right tool for the job at hand (many broad definitions of tool!)"
"Mr. Hinrichs (at JBS) or Steve (on the Drive from St. Louis to Lovell or at AIC)was the best teacher I ever had -- the lessons he taught from his heart or from the classroom or the unique camp environment have had a lasting impact upon me. It was luck (maybe even Grace -- the religous word for an unanticipated gift) when Steve asked me to come and be a counselor at AIC.Lessons? another tribute."
"The Rush Clarke family will with much love remember all the involment and joy we had working and being with Steve at Harley and How blessed we were that our children were touched by his love of learning....god bless you Steve. When I lovingly look at the ocean here in Charleston I will think of you and know that you are out of harms way......love Loma Clarke"
"AIC: I keep thinking of all the “for instances” that made up the magic. It was all about setting up a pattern for our lives, with growth and curiousity at it’s core. I will be forever grateful for the life tools I acquired on that beautiful, pine-smelling island. All thanks to Steve. I look forward to sending out a candle boat in his memory
Haydie (Donahue) Callaghan"
"Email from Ross Harris....Alamar Mate 1962........."Sad news but Steve had a wonderful life and contributed to so many people. I remember unwinding with him and Nancy at their house on Breezy Point after along day, glass of bourbon in hand. Those were great times and I'm glad to have been a part of it."......Ross"
"From Barbara Swanson at NYSAIS in an email to Grace: "I have such warm, fond memories of Steve! He was a visionary--one who understood sustainability before there was such a term. I really loved him and I know that many others did as well. He left a quiet, strong legacy at NYSAIS which is stronger because of his leadership.""
"My memories of Mr. Hinrichs was a little girl in elementary school at the Harley School. He had such a kindness to him that I looked forward to popping my head into his office to just say hello. He always seem to have time for me and brightened the smile on my face. We were all given the gift of a wonderful personable leader."
"Steve’s life was as deep as it was long. He was a thinking man who put his intelligence to good use. He lived life with purpose and his actions spoke volumes about his beliefs. He loved learning and life. He was able to share ideas, allow space for others to formulate their own, and hear what others had to say. He touched us deeply and will be remembered always."
"Mr. Hinrichs (as I will always think of him) was my history teacher at Burroughs. He then introduced me to the beauty of Maine by hiring me as a counselor at Alamoosook Island Camp. Just a few weeks ago, my husband and I were in Maine and we stopped, once again, to look over Alamoosook Lake. How I loved that place and time. And he was a wonderful teacher as well. I was lucky to know him."
"Steve was dearly loved by Dancy and me (Jim Duffus) and by our 2 Harley kids whom he befriended both at school and in later life. We sailed and golfed and skied with Steve and he was there at our kid's weddings and was always there for us. And Gracie, you have our respect and our love and admiration for all you did for, and meant to Steve. He was an icon,a renaissance man and true friend.Jim&Dancy"
"How could anyone encounter Steve and not be forever changed? Space is too small for the long, true narrative. So vignettes: Steve on Omega - Botticelli master, we paddle for long hours, no notice of our aching arms; Steve, charging our confidence in our own path and vision. On Delta, we sailed across Blue Hill Bay to Mount Dessert. Who else would have dared let us be so brave?"
"I have known Steve most of my life. He and his family spent many summers at my grandparent's camp on Lake Kezar. Later He would drive into their yard in Freeport with his station wagon full of stuff, heading up the coast. I always thought Steve was Fred Astaire. I hope he's sailing somewhere with my dad."
"One of my most poignant memories as a fledgling teacher at Thayer Academy was chatting with my "mentor", Grace Bernan, in Room 21A; she confided that she was leaving Thayer to marry a man she had met through an ivy league "match up" column! And what a great decision that was... Grace and Steve were a "match made in Heaven", a bonafide love story! Steve will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace!"
"We knew Stephen as a neighbor and friend at Samoset Village. His wisdom and good common sense were always respected at get-togethers on the porch or at Village meetings. He had a fine command of the English language and used that strength for many years to write a wonderful column monthly in the Samoset Village Newsletter. He will be missed."
"Like a father, like a brother, always a beloved friend. My fortunate connection with Steve began as an AIC counselor and was rounded with an active correspondence and summer visits for the last several years. Like so many of his friends, I will treasure his calm good sense, always spiced with humor and a twinkle in the eye."
"Steve was my golf coach and history teacher at John Burroughs. I wasn't a very good golfer and remember his support in my first match after my first drive at least stayed in the fairway: "Hit 'em like that and you'll do fine." It meant a lot then and now. What a good and gentle leader he has been for so many. Thank you, Steve."
"Steve was a wonderful person. I knew him first as a student at the John Burroughs School in the early fifties. Later, he became my boss at Alamoosook Island Camp, where he was kind enough to hire me for two years, in 1958 and 1959. My experiences at AIC have stayed with me the rest of my life.
Kitty Greve Darst"
"From Carl and Susan Chase in a note to Grace and the family: " In talking about him last night and today, we both realize and agree that he was quite possibly the one person whose influence had the greatest impact on the course of our adult lives....He is- and has been-with us every day of our lives as we've raised our kids (and grandkids), done our work, and had our adventures in this world.""
"Mr. Hinrichs (he was NEVER Stephen to me) was my favorite teacher at Burroughs and is the reason that I will be celebrating my 49th year on the slopes this winter. What a sweet guy he was. And, I also am glad to reconnect with Victoria in Santa Fe after so many years. My best wishes to the family. J. David Levy, JBS '63"
"From Lila Magie, Midcoast Forum member and good friend: "What a prince he was--so bright and thoughtful. I loved his questions at the Forum meetings for they were truly thought out and not just coming from his own agenda or to hear his own voice! We will miss him but I am glad it was not a long hard fight. Somehow you could imagine that Steve had a plan--and he carried it to the end.""
"We are blessed to have known Steve as a friend,neighbor,
and golfing companion while living at Samoset Village We will long remember the fun and conversations over golf,the Samoset operations,politics,travel,good food and wine.
May the sun,moon and stars shine brighter on Penobscot Bay as Steve embarks to meet his Pilot in Heaven.
Bruce & Marie Libby"
"I knew Mr. Hinrichs as a student at Harley, class of 1969. We may have been the most difficult group of kids he ever had to deal with. Partly the times we lived in, I suspect. He was firm and fair, with a sense of humor. My love and respect has only grown over the years - he is still the Headmaster!"
"AIC camper for 3 years.
My experience at AIC formed my life. Steve taught by example. From him I learned to respect, love and get along with nature. His lessons were: you can live outdoors and be comfortable; always step up when there is work to be done - after all, what else is there to do out here?; never complain; be prudent but brave; always remember what happened to Figgie Newton."
"Steve, wow how do I sum up all those feelings? For me Steve is strong, loyal, determined, fun loving, honest, fearless, kind and gentle. He is a true educator in all meanings of the word. Steve is a role model for the way a man should live his life. But most of all Steve is my friend. I am so blessed to be able to say that. Thank you Steve for all the things you taught me. I will hold you close."
"Steve revealed the stature and character of true manhood for us all, while trusting the innate strength and creativity in each one of us. In so doing, he drew the truth of us forth. I pray I can begin to return the gift by providing the same for the generation soon be taking the helm. My God, they need it. Bless you Steve!
Ellen (Melon) Roos"
"What creativity we could all have with the send off. Still remember the music barge arriving at the AIC reunion. Some could come in another "What's that?" the three canoes we lashed together for ocean trips. Some could make 4th of July candle boats to send off with the ashes. Those far away could make and mail their candle boats to the celebration. Ah the fun begins. "
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