I can't
really believe I'm writing this - it still doesn't seem real. I've known Steve
since he served me wonderful food at Sit & Spin after helping me during the day at the African Savanna at Woodland Park
Zoo. I was the zookeeper there and Steve volunteered his time to help me care
for giraffe, zebra, springbok and a variety of other animals. Having been at this business for over 30 years
now, Steve
remains one of the best people I have ever worked with.
For plain
fun, honesty, curiosity, knowledge, thinking outside that tiny box, he was always a joy to be with and be around. I watched how he was with other staff, volunteers and zoo visitors.
Anyone who had contact with him came away with at least a smile on their face and usually a lot more. If someone had a question, he answered it or went to work to find the answer if he didn't know it. If someone needed a hand with anything, Steve was right there. He treated everyone like they were special.
Years later,
watching or hearing about Steve's adventures around the world, it just proved
how special he really was. I don't believe a person can be successful in those
situations without being an amazing combination of talent and intelligence. It
was obvious he was doing what he was meant to do.
I am so
proud to have known Steve and will never forget him. My thoughts and prayers
are with all the people he cared about and that cared about him.
-
Phil Pennock
To Stepehnīs Famly & To all Stephenīs sisters, brothers, friends & co workers
I am Sveinbjorn Gudmundsson in Iceland, ca: Svenni Chan. I give all of you my deepest condoleses
and my sorrow runnes realy realy deep. Stephen is remebered in Iceland.
My best friend since kindengarden ( Smari Superman), introdused me to Stephen. Since
I am from Iceland, ( who have to lurne Danish from 4trh grade) I teached Stephen, by speaken dansih to him, since he has a
Dansih last name. But he thoght it was funny.
Though
he did not understad a word I spoke. But our lenghues of friendship was and will be so so powerful.
Stephen, introdused me to Shrek, Yes the cartoon film karector. But the nice things about
it, was:
Iceland
at that time did not get the films to the cinema at the same time as USA, so Stepehn brought the DVD to my home. At the same
time it was just starting in our cinemas in Iceland.
Stephen, was in charge in ordering the Pizza for our movie, there was just me and
him. So he ordered a 18" pizza with alot and alot of Bacon and Pepperoni.
That was
my first. ( But not last) Sometime you just need meet, in your system.
My mom lost the fight of cancer at the age of 50.
Jesus lost
his live at the cross a the age of 33.
Bruce Lee
lost his life at the age of 32 as well as Jon Pall Sigmarsson 4 time World Stronegest Man, all of these people had and still
have alot of influance in my life, just like Stephen. He tought me how one person can make a diffrence in the Universe.
I have offen said: if we had 100 more people like Stephen in the world we would be saved.
That is why he is a great loss, to the universe, to his friends, and to his family.
I had the privilige on spending christmas of 1998 with Stephen in Iceland ( his first
x-mas in Iceland), and you never heard him complain on missing out the hollyday with his family, well we where his family
away from home, and he will always be apart of my family.
Since 1998, Yes Stevie brought Thanksgiving from USA to Iceland. Just to be honest, I
have heard rumors, that he had offers to cook in resturants in Iceland.
My friend, my brother, my teacher, my Stephen you are in my heart and in my memoryes.
- Your friend FOREVER Svenni Chan in Iceland.
Once I
got the news I saw his face, then I heard his voice!
I couldn’t
talk much until now, but Stephen would have! I shared one of the most monumental and treasured times of my life with him.
ICELAND
- 2 and half years.
Stephen
was extraordinary because of his experiences and his special look on life.
Thanks
for all the help with mine you were a good friend who could put aside the BS and pitch in and not only help , but look at
a person and relate immediately to what ever they were doing or at mentally!
I never
will forget the look in his eyes and his voice when I was yelling for help at the end of a 32 day run in Iceland – It
was Smari’s wedding and the Bay pen “40% storm” refit. 40% of the baypen had ripped off during hell storm
number 147 and I did 100 dives in 28 days. I was falling asleep at the dining tables like 2 week into my shift. Day 28 and
I was in the water changing out a mooring with the Mighty MOES ( transfer
5 ton cement
block – drop – secure to baypen) – I dropped the 24” wrench to the bottom it was good vis that day!
When I got back to the surface and tried to secure the load all hell broke lose and I was yelling for assistance.
Arrive SC.
Stephen
stayed with me until said mooring was secure.
I signaled
to the boat. Stephen looked at me and said you need to drop back down to that bottom – look around and then get back
on the baypen and call it a shift you need to stop. I did not get back in the water for the next 2 days.
In all
my time in Iceland it was that day I saw Stephen Claussen become a mighty Mo and get his arms frozen with nuts, pins and a
wrench in his hand to save me from losing a hand! I should say he did first arrive with a coffee cup in hand! You ROCK!
His voice
and image will be with me forever as well as my prayers and thoughts!
I look
forward to him joining me as 1st mate in my adventures in life and on any of my experiences on the water!
I can only
imagine your heaven! – Blair Mott
I am not nearly as eloquent as the others on this fantastic yet unfortunate website, just guy who was lucky
enough to know Steve most of my life. I first met Steve back in 1985 when he was a roommate and co-worker of Tim Baker's.
For those of you who didn't know Tim, he to died tragically several years ago. Steve, as this site so accurately portrays,
was a great man who gave so much to so many. What else can I say? I will miss that goofy laugh, his amazing sarcasm, and so
many other things that made up the man I greatly admire and respect. We all can hopefully begin soon to celebrate Steve's
amazing life, using his memory to make us all better people. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all during this very difficult
time. - Todd Harmon
