What Steve desired most in life was to be productive, to make a difference in the world, and to be of value.  He used his intellect, his seemingly inexhaustible drive, and his many creative talents in a relentless pursuit of that goal; and that became his life’s work. Steve was possessed by the need to create something worthy of the many gifts given to him. He cared more about the lives of ordinary people and the beauty of the natural world than wealth or luxury as his interests and work demonstrated. 

From the time he was very young he would accept any challenge, “knowing” as he would say, “that every problem has a solution”.  (The best way to get something difficult done was to tell Steve it could not be done). As a young boy, he excelled at mathematics and science. In elementary and middle school he participated in and won academic decathlons. He was always curious and building things – at home, at the boys club, for science fairs, and for school science projects. And, If there was something broken, he would fix it. He fixed our small black and white TV when he was only 11. (TV’s used vacuum tubes in those days). 

He left home at 16, and with only three years of high school still graduated with the top of his class.  At 18, he went to UC Berkeley, CAL as he used to say. While working various jobs to put himself through college, he completed a double major: one in applied mathematics and a second in biophysics. He continued his education at Berkeley pursuing post graduate studies in advanced mathematics – choosing for his doctoral project – a problem that had not been solved in four centuries. 

Steve worked during his college summers and after graduating college, in his father’s electronics business, Electronic Controls. Working with his father, Latif, he found the vocation where he would apply his learning and creative gifts. Steve devised labor saving devices that improved productivity; he designed new manufacturing equipment and new products.  He was always looking for a faster easier way to do things.

 In 1990, he began work at Beckman Industrial as an electronic engineer where he created a new sensor for use in automobile stability systems.  The device was granted three separate patents.  He was happy and proud to have worked on a project that later contributed to the improved safety of drivers and saved lives. Ten years later, he started his own company, Current Devices. It was an “All Steve” one man operation. Steve worked and consulted with many fine people and renowned companies. His efforts over the years resulted in additional products and patents.   

Steven was also very active his entire life and excelled at many sports. He was a weight lifter and wrestler in high school.  He was an avid skier (or what I called jumping off of cliffs), a certified scuba diver, a mountain biker, a hang glider, a body surfer, windsurfer, beach volley ball player, and distance runner. In 2011, he ran and completed the San Francisco marathon. He was 53 at the time. He was never happy unless he was going a 100 miles an hour with his hair on fire!

He regularly ran with the Berkeley Running Club to stay in shape and weight lifted at the local YMCA. It was while he was running alone in Alvarado Park, close to where he lived, that his heart gave out. 

I did not share my brother’s intellect for math and engineering, but one interest we shared in common was a love of music and movies. He always enjoyed meaningful lyrics and great quotes. His favorite songs and movies were often of individual strength overcoming adversity and most importantly, without compromising one’s integrity. Here is a dialog from The Kingdom of Heaven; a favorite of his that I believe resonates well with Steve’s values.

 

   “None of us know our end, really, or what hand will guide us there. A king may move a man, a father may claim a son, but that man can also move himself, and only then does that man truly begin his own game. Remember that howsoever you are played or by whom, your soul is in your keeping alone, even though those who presume to play you be kings or men of power. When you stand before God, you cannot say, But, I was told by others to do thus, or that virtue was not convenient at the time. This will not suffice. Remember that.” 

 

Steve was not the easiest person to know and had a very dry and sardonic sense of humor. Once some people came to the door soliciting and he said that he was not interested as most of us do. They asked him why he did not want to find out more about them. He said, I already know enough about you, to know I do not want to know any more". I could not help but laugh - you had to know Steve to appreciate his humor. For those that survived his playful gauntlet, he brought a smile to them. To those that came to know him he was worth knowing as a helpful and generous friend. 

Sadly, Steve never had a family of his own. He never married or had any children. His work was his life.  When I recently asked Steve what made him happy other than his work. He said, “Happiness comes from being with one’s fellows”.  It was a startling admission from someone that had led such a solitary life.  For Steve it was always quality over quantity. Many among his colleagues and friends, he came to know as his “fellows”.  We loved him and will miss him. 

We can choose our friends, but not our family.  My good fortune was to be given a brother that was also my best friend, my teacher, and my inspiration to achieve more than I ever expected in life.  He believed that a person of value is one who chooses to make the world a better place.  That was my brother Steven.