Stephen C. Baldwin, age 64 of Barnes, WI passed away unexpectedly on July 30, 2014. Born in South Bend, Indiana he was a proud student and supporter of Notre Dame University even after he moved his family to CA to pursue a Master's degree in Public Administration at USC. His loyalty so unwavering, his Saturdays' always consisted of cheering on his Fighting Irish footbll team. Family brought him back to Minnesota where he spent many years as a healthcare consultant in the Twin Cities and eventually retired to the North Woods in Wisconsin. Steve loved the outdoors and being surrounded by nature's calming beauty from the quiet trees to the soaring eagles. Lengthy weather updates to his family and friends reminded us all of the ample time he spent doing his true passion: landscaping. His talented and creative artistry incorporated just the right rock to earn him the nicknme "rockman". Steve's thoughts were shaped by his love for American History, his need for musical lyricism and his expressive emotion for those so close to his heart. We will remember him for his animated, long-winded stories, his unique laugh that filled a room, his readiness to help others, and his soaring spirit as he embraced Indian folklore. Steve lived his life to the fullest and said "That I may always remember, and that my life be a daily proof, that I am dedicated to the well-being of those whom I love - in particular - and to my fellow man - in general."
Proceeded in death by his parents, Charles and Carolyn Baldwin. Survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Rose, children Stephanie (Jay), Chris (Tarah), sisters Mary Jo Ludin (John), Cathy Ann Berry (Stephen), soon to be born first grandchild baby W, many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. A celebration of his life will be held August 30th at the Baldwin home in Barnes, WI. at 2pm. Steve's preferred memorials are to The Yellowstone Park Foundation, or VHI Save the Music Foundation, for all the little rock stars.
Tributes
Leave a tributeHe was loved and I know is missed by many. Love to all - Steph
Life is not the same at the lake, but memories are shared and relived often.
You are missed so much by your beautiful family and by your faithful neighbors!
Love you!
It does not seem possible that it has been two years. Thinking of Steve and you today.
Mary Garretson & Joe Dunn
I was stunned to hear of Steve's sudden passing. Since I received your email my thoughts have returned to Steve many times. I have so many fond memories of our time in Santa Barbara and they that keep coming back to me at the most unexpected times.
Then I have to smile when I remember what a nice visit we had with you and Steve here in Florida. Joe and I were looking forward to seeing you both again in Florida and to having the opportunity to see the lovely home that Steve and you worked so hard to create and that Steve was so proud of. I particularly remember Steve's solution to the 'squirrel' in the walls of the house problem. We laughed when Steve told the story and it still gives me a laugh.
The young man that I knew and the 'mature' man that I was able to re-connect with was the same funny, great guy just in an older body. It was a pleasure to be able to spend time with both of you. I wish we there had been more times.
Our thoughts are with you and your family at this very difficult time.
Mary Garretson & Joe Dunn
Satellite Beach, Florida
Thinking about you daily. Loved Steve, his laugh, love of history and the smile brought to his face by a fresh pastry and a Coke.
Will see you next weekend.
With love,
Cathy
Cry for me a little
Think of me sometimes
But not too much.
Think of me now and again
As I was in life
At some moments it's pleasant to recall
But not for long.
Leave me in peace
And I shall leave you in peace
And while you live
Let your thoughts be with the living.
I will miss you, my dear friend Steve. To Rose and family, may your wonderful memories bring you comfort, may the love you share bring you strength, and may the promise given through Christ Jesus bring you peace.
My prayers and thoughts are with you and please know that in the days to come, your WOWW friends will be there for you. I feel privileged to have met Steve. May your lives continue to reflect his vision of the world.
It was a gut punch to learn today about Steve's untimely passing a week ago.
My mind is aswirl with fond memories of the fellowship and adventures we shared back in the mid-70s--from the October splendor of Mt. Whitney to many trips to the Cold Springs Tavern during our Santa Barbara days. It was a joy to know you, my brother!
Steve's passing teaches us that life is short and precious. It should cause us to commit to appreciating each and every day we have on this earth--to being gentle with those we encounter--and taking care of each other. This sentiment is better expressed by the Scottish poet, Thomas Campbell, who wrote: "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die …"
Please take comfort in this day (and all days to come) with the knowledge that Steve lives in our hearts.
Respectfully,
George Beard
Portland, Oregon
your loss. X
Leave a Tribute
He was loved and I know is missed by many. Love to all - Steph
Steve's beautiful LIFE emails to Rick
We miss Steve everyday! Rick talks about Steve and their special friendship often. Rick recently commented about the special 'neighbor' friendship you can only have with your neighbor! The ease of enjoying impromptu times because they are right there- next door to you! They had a wonderful friendship and Rick respected & admired Steve very much. The two of them kept in contact via email and Rick loved getting Steve's updates of life with the Baldwins. Here is one of those fun emails from Steve to Rick.
To: 'Rick DePrey' Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2010 7:58 PM Subject:RE: Recipes & Life!
Hey Rick,
Wow, the last 48+ hrs. just flew by!!
On Monday there was a light snow here all day and we got 2” of light “fluff” snow. Then, yesterday was sunny and about 10+ degrees warmer so it melted. A true “Jan. thaw” is supposedly about to arrive with predicted high’s of 33-36 for tomorrow thru Sunday, and no snow in the 10-day forecast!
Been busy finalizing our trip plan for Florida and exchanging constant emails…discovered the rental car companies are now just like the airlines…they advertise/quote low rates but the true cost is after they add a ton of “drop-off” & airport fees, etc. However, an advantage of aging, I also discovered that our AARP discount at Hertz provides a HUGE discount and great deal, especially in our case on a 1-week rental…saved a ton compared to others and even cheaper than our AAA discount deal with Avis that I’ve used in the past!
Over the holidays, an old friend of ours from California days sent us the email address for a mutual friend (my former boss) from Santa Barbara days that we had lost track of and told us she was in Florida now. On Monday, I connected with her and discovered that she lives on the central Florida coast directly across the state from the Reilly’s (a 4-5 hr. drive). So, we’re now visiting the Reilly’s for a few days and then drive over and stay with Mary and her husband for 2 days; haven’t seen them in over 15 yrs so will be fun. They have a house/dock/boat just off
the Atlantic right on the inter-coastal canal, which I haven’t seen for decades so am looking forward to it.
I’ve also been preoccupied since late Tuesday with the horrific news on the Haiti earthquake and human disaster there. Made me recall the ’77 Santa Barbara earthquake we experienced there which was ‘only’ a 5.0 quake…can’t imagine the damage a 7.0 quake would do!! And a country that has no infrastructure and ability to afford or respond to any catastrophe, let alone a quake of this magnitude…I feel like I’m watching not only the death of so many but a country as well. Seeing that we asked the military to ‘take the lead’ on the rescue/relief effort makes me also wonder and am concerned how much more we can ask of our military forces who are now deploying there, many just back from Iraq or Afgan tours…at what point do they hit that emotional ‘breaking point’ from too much stress!?
Not to worry as to getting ‘stir-crazy’ here (that doesn’t usually occur for me until late Feb. or March)…I’ve hardly made a dent in my planned indoor projects list for winter; Seems like there’s always some new #1 priority and the intended projects don’t get done. But, the days do fly by and I guess that’s a good thing, likewise, good to get organized.
With the phone and internet, we often are glad for a quiet evening as some days are non-stop. Dave & Phyllis just left yesterday and will be back next week. Last year they stayed all Jan. from after Christmas until their Feb. ski trip. This year they are almost doing the same. I think I had told you that unlike Tom, me and yourself, Dave bought their property for the winter! He is the opposite of all of us and ‘tolerates’ the heat of summers for the winter he loves and his passion which is skiing. They spend way more time up here in the winter than the summer!
So, Now you did it!! One of Rose’s passions is cooking and having (and always adding to) her great recipe files. We have always enjoyed and done Mexican food (since California days in the ‘70’s) and especially since Stephanie is into it big time. Recall that Dr. Tim is a native Texan and was raised on the “Tex-Mex” cooking of his Mom and loves Mexican food. Judy has his Mom’s recipes and made her Enchiladas for us when they came here for dinner last fall…and then gave Rose the recipe. We just did them for Stephanie when they were here for Christmas and they all loved them as much as we do!
Rose is off on a quick trip down to the cities but wanted me to be sure and “trade” you Judy’s recipes for your Burrito one! It’s an attached Word doc. so I hope you can open and use it. We’ll probably be trying your burrito recipe this weekend.
Anyway, I’m sure Rose will be excited to trade recipes with you anytime you want!
Hope you like the Enchiladas one!
Thanks,
Steve
Graduate School at USC
I met Steve at graduate school orientation and we established an immediate connection. Meeting Steve gave me an instant feeling that maybe graduate school in a large, impersonal city would be all right. I had just returned from a stint working on a health project in an isolated Guatemalan village while Steve had served as a hospital orderly to fulfill his Vietnam War conscientious objector requirement. We both were exuberant and idealistic – our mission was to change the world and re-shape health care. Very quickly we developed a strong friendship and partnership that was unique in my life. I say partnership because that is how Steve and I approached USC. We accomplished and learned more together than either of us would have on our own. Steve was gregarious and a little flamboyant with his signature leather hat. He quickly established warm relationships with everyone. I, on the other hand, was more shy and reserved. I brought some organization and discipline to our partnership. Taking most of our classes together, we embraced USC like we owned the place. We had no fear, as we routinely challenged our professors if we thought their thinking was weak or mistaken. We not only got away with it, we thrived. Steve and I expanded our connections and influence: Steve’s friends became my friends and mine became Steve’s. We devoted long hours debating issues and writing joint papers. I fondly remember the weekends Steve and I spent together laboring on major assignments. We were out ahead of conventional thinking as we wrote about personal responsibility for health and other economic issues. We both grew a lot and it was fun! I believe this shared experience and friendship was a special time for both of us.
Forever Bliss
It's amazing how one memory, one moment can last a lifetime. For me, that moment was a father/son trip to Notre Dame University. Growing up as a kid, Dad got me hooked on watching Notre Dame Football games every fall. It was ironic we celebrated his life with family & friends last Saturday, August 30th 2014 - the same day as the season opener for Notre Dame - I know you were watching Dad. And today, on the eve of one of our biggest rivalry games vs Michigan tomorrow night, I'm thinking of you and that great memory/story I'll never forget. That story, I share today in your honor....
I surprised you that one Christmas Dad, I know you'll always remember too, with two tickets to the Notre Dame vs Michigan State game in South Bend, IN. I had never been to South Bend for a game, and I knew it would be special if we went back to see a game together. We flew out, just the two of us, and spent the weekend in South Bend. We toured the campus on game day. For me I'll remember feeling like I was walking thru an outdoor museum. The campus so imaculate and beautiful. But for Dad, it was like going back in time. He was so happy that day. Every corner we turned, every building we walked thru, he was smiling ear to ear.
I remember one building we stopped at was the most memorable. Pagborn Hall. The dorm Dad stayed in when he was student at Notre Dame. We walked in Dad said to a passing female student, "hey - I used to live in this dorm" The girl smiled awkwardly and walked away, she didn't say anything. Turns out that dorm today is no longer a coed dorm but an all girls dorm, and Dad and I were standing right in the middle of it, snapping pictures like tourists :)
Then of course there was the game. September 22nd, 2007. The history of Notre Dame stadium. The book store outside. The famous parade of players, coaches and the band marching into the stadium before the game. It was all so cool. We had seats just 3 rows off the field in the end zone, right next to the Notre Dame band. Dad was blown away by how cool those seats were, and baffled how I managed to find them. Notre Dame got blown out that day, I believe it was Jimmy Clausens first year there, but by no surprise the score of the game was not memorable (14-31 L), it was the moments that day that Dad and I shared. It was the most memorable father/son day I ever had, hence why I titled that day "Forever Bliss"
I love you Dad. GO IRISH!!