None of us can believe that Steve isn't right back in the room with his warm personality and infectious laugh. We have all had countless experiences, stories and anecdotes with Steve. Whether it was the legendary mushroom pan with which he took half the editorial team to hospital or our lovingly remodelled offices, which Steve surprised us with when he had the mischief in his neck again. Or probably the most expensive travel story in the history of surf Magazine, when Steve travelled with the Englishman Ben Proffitt and the Argentinian Mariano Estevano to the Falkland Islands, which were formerly fought over by both nations, to set an example for peace and reconciliation.
From the first day Steve joined the editorial team in 1997, he has enriched our lives. He challenged us, inspired us, made us laugh, he sometimes put us to the test when he refused to accept frivolous answers or steadfastly refused to own a mobile phone in our fast-moving times and simply couldn't be reached. He was bursting with creativity and fought tenaciously for his ideas - always with charm and a smile on his face. He took great pleasure in teasing us from time to time. Steve was an excellent windsurfer whose greatest joy was passing on his knowledge to children, be it school classes at Walchensee or young freestylers at the Young Guns Camp. With his loving and humorous manner, he captivated the kids from the very first moment.
Steve was diagnosed with leukaemia 12 years ago. Since then, he has fought the disease - no, not fought it. He has often simply laughed it off, found his own way of dealing with the disease, not letting it get him down or thwart his plans. In March, he was still in the south of France testing the latest SUP boards for SUP Magazine. Unfortunately, he was unable to complete the magazine, which he had been editor-in-chief of for two years.
Everyone in the surf editorial team and at Delius Klasing Verlag mourns the loss of Steve, this unique, lovable person. Our thoughts are with his girlfriend and his family. We wish you much strength in this difficult time. Rest in peace, Dude!
