Growing Up
January 6, 2021
by David Minium
Steve Alan Minium was raised in Southern California by his
wonderful parents, Helen and Fred. The Great Depression had enticed his parents
westward, while much of the family stayed in South Dakota. Steve’s birth was a
welcomed surprise late in his parent’s life. His brother Dennis and sister
Janet were married and off raising their own children during Steve’s youth, and
their children seemed more like siblings to Steve, rather than nieces and
nephews. Steve and his family had an unwavering faith in God and spent their time
worshiping at Faith Presbyterian Church.
Steve spent much of his young life gallivanting around the country with his parents in their small trailer camping and visiting family. They found many adventures in South Dakota while visiting all of the aunts, uncles, and cousins. Steve wasted no opportunities. At pit-stops, you could find him running off with a fishing pole. It was at this time he started cataloging favorite spots along his travels. Anyone looking for an A&W Rootbeer Stand should check Steve’s registry for which location is best.
He was an avid journalist from a very young age – a humorous foreshadowing for his adult life. Aside from life events, he kept a ledger of his gambling victories while playing his Uncle Irwin in South Dakota. One account detailed an evening that Steve came upon quite a losing streak. Uncle Irwin had won most of Steve’s vacation money that night. Steve convinced Uncle Irwin to continue playing, and after many hours, he had broken even. Uncle Irwin was quite spent the following day. Steve’s love for gambling continued through adulthood – charmed by craps; a game his brother-in-law Pat Kennedy taught him.
There were so many activities and hobbies to keep him busy during his childhood. Steve’s journaling blossomed into writing and poetry over time. Rock hounding in the Southern California desert was an enjoyed pastime. He dabbled in jewelry making, CB radio communications, camping and fishing. He fearlessly played center on his high school football team. He played the saxophone in the school band, but drumming was his true passion and was sure to have access to a set wherever he settled. Even through adulthood, Steve continued honing his drumming talents. He believed that a loud rock and roll jam session and a good bourbon was the next best thing to being Mick Fleetwood himself.
Steve spent much of his young life gallivanting around the country with his parents in their small trailer camping and visiting family. They found many adventures in South Dakota while visiting all of the aunts, uncles, and cousins. Steve wasted no opportunities. At pit-stops, you could find him running off with a fishing pole. It was at this time he started cataloging favorite spots along his travels. Anyone looking for an A&W Rootbeer Stand should check Steve’s registry for which location is best.
He was an avid journalist from a very young age – a humorous foreshadowing for his adult life. Aside from life events, he kept a ledger of his gambling victories while playing his Uncle Irwin in South Dakota. One account detailed an evening that Steve came upon quite a losing streak. Uncle Irwin had won most of Steve’s vacation money that night. Steve convinced Uncle Irwin to continue playing, and after many hours, he had broken even. Uncle Irwin was quite spent the following day. Steve’s love for gambling continued through adulthood – charmed by craps; a game his brother-in-law Pat Kennedy taught him.
There were so many activities and hobbies to keep him busy during his childhood. Steve’s journaling blossomed into writing and poetry over time. Rock hounding in the Southern California desert was an enjoyed pastime. He dabbled in jewelry making, CB radio communications, camping and fishing. He fearlessly played center on his high school football team. He played the saxophone in the school band, but drumming was his true passion and was sure to have access to a set wherever he settled. Even through adulthood, Steve continued honing his drumming talents. He believed that a loud rock and roll jam session and a good bourbon was the next best thing to being Mick Fleetwood himself.