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Oh Stephen... not really sure what to say. You are and will always be a huge part of my life during our Oregon
extravaganza... the Icelandic adventure... the Florida Keys pilot whale freak show!... the Puget Sound Springer craziness,
and lastly the Luna "it could happen" project! We went through some tough times personally and professionally together but
we always worked things out and our friendship stayed strong and true. I am going to miss you my friend. Our twisted
sense of humor was something I could always turn to even during the hard times. I can honestly say that I looked to
you for my sanity when we both thought we might loss it. I have never laughed so hard before in my life. Long
live the Klettsvik Cave Boy, the "unleashing of the Flames of Fury", and for "Unreal Tournament" amongst so many other things
we shared. Thanks for the smoked salmon, mango, red onion, cream cheese, fresh dill appetitizer we all loved.
I have passed it on to my family and friends. Thanks also for cooking such HUGE amounts of food for all of us during
the Keiko era and never eating a bite yourself. What was that about!? By the way... Kolur and Lunda are doing
GREAT!!! I wish I had more photos and video of us. I can never recapture the moments we had together but I just wish
I had the second best things... some two dimensional images of what we went through. Craziness! I have some photos,
etc., but it could never replace what we went through. Always remember the Reverend Horton Heat played very loudly on
the Danielle. I laughed so hard! Charles was not happy! Remember going for midnight swims with Keiko on a whim and having
the best time ever. Remember trying to throw eachother from the JetSkis off the coast of Oregon. Ignoring Charles
when we were out cruising Icelandic waters and looking for KW's. Calling you over to the boat to have a nice picnic
with the "Crew" as you were trying to get KW vocal recordings. Remember EVERY special moment we had because I
do. Too many to mention.
Thanks for being there on the baypen when Keiko almost squashed me during water work. Too
bad Charles was witnessing the same thing! OOPS!!! Just thanks in general for being my friend, my confidant,
my second half when things got tough. I am going to miss you so much and I'm not sure how to be with you not around.
Damnit! Stephen... you are my friend forever. Safe travels my friend - Brian
| The Steves at Newport |
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| Slide out! |
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| Photo: S. Ertsgaard |
Stephen,
I pulled out my old letters and the first letter I read from back when we were still so young started with,
“Looks like goodbye, eh?” Not so funny but fitting for you, my sarcastic ally. Our bikes led us on
some fantastic journeys. My bike, your bike, and Mecer Island created a whole lot of highschool drama. You weren’t
exactly the most patient partner, especially when it was YOUR tire that kept blowing. There is no question, however, for all
of us graced with your friendship that YOU were the most amazing soul capable of deep love, energy, resiliency, incredible
work ethic, and a wicked sense of humor. To make you laugh was sheer delight but it was usually you who made us laugh. And
in the final line of that same letter from so long ago you, with your wit, wrote, “I will be thinking of you, (at least
for two days after you leave).” Ha! Just so we are clear, it’s going to take us all a lot longer than a
few days to stop thinking of you, perhaps until we see you again! Hope you are traveling safe and can feel from wherever you
are how much us out-of-touch-old-friends who’s life you helped transform are loving you.. “Love you mass!”-Katie
Rodgers Pelly
It sure makes me sad to know that you're not out there hanging with the whales any longer, Stephen. You were such
a good buddy and always ready with a photo-op for me! I'll always cherish those many hours spent with you and Keiko
in Newport. (and listening to your love-lorn tales!) You will be greatly missed, my friend.
- Susan Ertsgaard
| Friends on the baypen, Iceland |
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