My Friend, Steve

On Friday, my friend Steve (Sparks) passed away. Steve was mentioned in a blog post of past during forensics season...
Steve was an awesome speaker in HS - I judged him, and then he became a coach and we always looked for each other at tournaments. And after the tournaments...in the evening, we would find each other at the Joynt and do a rehash/commiseration of the day of judging.
I also loved talking books and movies with him. And his stories of some of the students that he judged and coached...talk about fun listening to how he described the mayhem.

here's a part of his obit:

Steven received his undergraduate degree in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Master’s Degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He was employed as a Production Assistant with Chippewa Valley Community Television and served as an assistant forensics coach at North High School.
Steven possessed an amazing memory and knowledge base of movies, sports, literature—most things. If you were a contestant on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” he would be your “phone-a-friend.” In fact, Steven was the friend everyone called just to talk. He was an avid sports fan, following the Badgers, Packers, and Brewers through thick and thin. Steven was a passionate reader—usually reading two or three books at the same time. He had a love and knowledge of movies that he shared with all

Sometimes I just don't get it. There have been songs sung about the young dying. This is just too tough when you see someone this kind and gentle and absolutly fun gone.
So, I say a prayer for his family, and his students and colleagues
And I say a huge prayer for him.

Gonna miss you, Steve. We'll keep a berghoff waiting for you always...