Time passes so quickly. It hardly seems possible that Steve has been gone 4 years. Philip and I think of him when we look out our window on the 17th hole of the Samoset. He was a special person and is greatly missed.

Dear Steve,
Back in St. Louis, I remember when you had made for us a weird table - instead of desks - for our US history classes. That was a long time ago, but you'll not EVER be forgotten!
Cheers,
Kitty Greve Darst

Happy 96th, Steve. Good people live on forever in our memories.

Our kind thoughts to you Grace. How wonderful to have the memories of times spent with Steve.

You never get over the "missing" but it helps to think of the fun you have had together.

Wonderful to know that others are thinking of him today. Love this website! 
Cheers! (that's how he always ended his voice mail message as you may remember)
xx Grace

Cherished memories of life at the Samoset involve the great times I had with Steve and attempting to improve our games. I valued his advice very highly as a friend and teacher.

Another year without Steve - but we think of him often. He changed things for the good of all and was a memorable companion and a dear friend.

How Steve would have loved playing golf at the Samoset today. The sun is warm, the fairways are green and the water is sparkling in the distance. A perfect day in Maine!

I was hunting golf balls at the Samoset this August and my thoughts turned to Steve and how much he enjoyed seeing my findings. This year I broke my own record for one hour by picking up over 70 balls in less then an hour. How Steve would have laughed seeing me clean them all up for reuse. I'm dedicating them all to Steve's memory.

Kitty Greve Darst, former student of Steve's as well as counselor at AIC, has made a donation to Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust in memory of Steve. Thank you, Kitty! For news of the Trust's "To the Summit" campaign, see their letter to me posted under "Stories." That mountain is dear to the hearts of all AIC-ers I know. Greetings to all!

Steve was thoughty enough to allow me to enter the AIC family - after I had been his student - and I'm STILL working for the Great (Pond) Mountain Conservation Trust and probably will forever. Many thanks, Steve - you'll always be remembered.

Steve was my friend and I remember the great times discussing
politics, Samoset affairs, and great places to dine. He was a fan of
Jeff Sluman while Calcavechia was my favorite. Made for great
conversation. Dearly missed.

Steve has always been an inspiration for me. I remember his wonderful way that he dealt with me as a child. I give thanks for his presence in my life at a time when I needed him most.
Thank you Steve, and happy birthday. Always remembered.

Happy Birthday Steve. We think of you often. Your memory continues to enrich our lives.

A month after Steve and I met ,in April 1985, I flew to Rochester NY for a weekend at his solar-heated house on Canandaigua Lake and when I got home wrote a letter to my family to introduce Steve to them. I'll post a brief excerpt from that letter under Stories. Amazed how well I already knew him! With best wishes to all his friends on what would have been his 95th birthday , Grace

We miss seeing Steve around the Village and remember him for his wise counsel, especially when we were discussing national politics.

Philip and Brenda Doherty

Never will forget Steve - at JBS, he taught us how to read newspapers. At AIC, he made me discover how to cane chairs. Love to Grace, who also had interesting tables for her students!

Dear Grace--

Though time passes it is hard to bear the loss of a loved one.
I wish you comfort from these kind tributes.

Miss Steve as always. Drive by Harley School each day and remember - and view his "Tree" which is growing wonderously well. He would be happy to know that his student, son Tom Duffus is now sailing a Cape Dory on Lake Superior! Steve's memory will never leave us. Jim & Dancy

As a teacher, as our camp leader, you are still missed. Happy Birthday wherever you are, Steve. Cheers! You certainly live on in many, many hearts and you always will.

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.

I just read through the whole list of tributes on this page. I was quietly stunned by the richness of the true substance in those who wrote. If that isn't testimony to who Steve is, what he drew to himself, and how he shaped it, I don't know what is!

With love

I will long miss Steve every time Maine comes to my memory.Golf and
friendship we shared on Penobscot Bay at Samoset will never be forgotten.
Much love to you Gracie,
Bruce Libby

It has been one year and there is a description of the scattering of Stephen's ashes at sea on September 11 along with the poems read in tribute to him at the family gathering that weekend can all be found by clicking on the "Stories" tab.

Steve was a warm and loving friend and mentor to our kids. We sailed with him and he came to both daughter's weddings. His mind was sharp and we loved "The Bangor Packet" recitation. He remains crystal clear in our memory. He was and is an icon - one of a kind - a very very speci

Grace, we'll be remembering Stephen in a special way today.

Love,
Philip and Brenda

We are remembering Steve today. We think of him often. Our thoughts are with Grace and the entire Hinrichs clan this day.

I went kayaking two days ago in Wisconsin, and Steve's presence was vivid--- teaching cool canoe techniques, wryly enjoying trips. From my viewpoint now, I see his genius in creating a nurturing organization. AIC changed my lfe for sure, Grateful for his gifts to us all.

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)

From my good friend and former Italian teacher:" I will never forget Stephen tapping (doing a little tap dance) while he was preparing food..his grace and wiry funny gentleness. Kind of windswept elegance. He was such a treat!...and such an inspiration."
             Cristina Arrigoni Martelli

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.

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!)

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

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.

I have very fond of "Mr. Hinrichs" when he was headmaster at the Harley School. Can still see his wonderful smile and the twinkle in his eyes. Also have fond memories of spending time with the whole Hinrichs clan in Maine and Rochester. Your father lead a long and fruitful life.

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."

Email from Steve Lockwood.........

"While I was only an AICer for one summer (mate on the Alamar) the Steve I knew briefly was a remarkable guy with a vision (for the camp) which was a unique experience in the life of many.".......................................

Steve Lockwood AIC '60

Email from George Morgan...(AIC)..........."He was an inspirational man, I will never forget him and he will be in my prayers."

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

Good Morning Grace and family.

Charlie,Sean Cara and I would like to express our condolences on the death of Steve.


This is a very beautiful and wonderful memorial. May you cherish the memories and in that way find comfort in your loss.

claudia

We know Grace from Vinalhaven

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.

Resubmitted for Lew Bigelow entry: 30 September, 2010........



"Steve's steady hand and light touch at AIC continues to draw my awe as I recall knowing him over the years. He was a valued friend and mentor to me."

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

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!

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.

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?

Godfrey Pflager / John Burroughs....... from email to Ibi......

Mr.H,
You made American history interesting, wish I'd talked on 4 trips to Aspen..married a Denver
woman, lived in NYC since '64. Bet you had a great
family, LUCKY to know you. Still laugh at you doing Ski exercises in class. Godfrey