In loving memory of Stephen Claussen, 1966

He reinforced in me my belief that no matter what path of education one chooses for enlightenment, if a person truly has passion and ambition and works their butt off, great things can happen. Steve was exactly that type of person. - Chuck Davis

His Sense of humor was hilarious and was often the stress buster for some very long and tense days - Kathy Stark-Gendron

I just wanted to let you know that there are still some teachers around who remember Steve with the very best of memories - Joel Seidel

My memories of Steve are as a friendly, outgoing guy with a great sense of humor, an incredible work ethic and a kind, non-judgemental nature.

- Chris Johnson

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.

- Phil Pennock

I have often 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. - Svenni Chan

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! - Blair Mott

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.

- Todd Harmon

…one thing that keeps happening is that I notice all the animals around a little more closely a little more precisely. I can’t help but thinking that I’m on a guided tour. And yes I can hear Stephen laughing at me and my airy-fairy thoughts

– Clay Bartlett

In this day and age when it seems that people treat life as disposable commodity instead of what it truly is, a precious gift; the path he chose, his way of life, inspires. – Joe Gaskins

Reading about all the amazing things Stephen did in his 41 years truly made me proud – proud because he found something he loved to do and did it well and proud because I always love hearing about another kid from the neighborhood who went on to do great things. – Hugh Phillips

He was the most warm, genuine, and unpretentious person I have met.

– Shawna Bowden (formerly Murphy)

Dearest Karen and family,
    We heard of Stephen's untimely death with shock and deep sadness. What a great loss not only for your family and friends but also for the world. Rarely does anyone leave such a legacy as did Stephen, all the more impressive because he died so young.
    Wish we were there to give you a huge hug. We miss all those special times together when we were living in Seattle.
    May the fact that Stephen's many admirers are sharing your grief help you to bear the pain of your great loss.
    With love from, Carole and Bob Howard   Pagosa Springs, Colorado

I had the privilege of meeting Stephen last month when I rode along on the Hugh Sharp for one of the bird & mammal surveys. Stephen's warmth, kindness, and humor were immediately apparent from the first welcome.

If knowing him for a week can bring about this terrible hollowness within me, I can't imagine the loss that the rest of you must be feeling. Please know that, from my experience, your son, brother, and friend touched everyone he met and that the world is brighter for him having been here.

Warmest regards, - Jason Bobier

His influence remains with us to this day, and I'm still laughing at some of the stories I heard from him (sometimes at 3 in the morning after the restaurant closed, when we were all on the edge of delirium). – Heather Riedner

When the team was down or the day had been too long Steve was the one who would cook dinner, of course he was the only who could actually cook. Get some music playing, open the wine and have everyone back together around good food.

- Charles Vinick

I am Steve's sister. Reading these tributes and stories made me laugh, and cry and weep. But I also smiled...a lot. It feels so good to smile right now.

I'm including a poem my Uncle Dick wrote for Stephen and a picture I took from visiting him in Newport.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this site.

- Susan Maitland

Stephen’s brother Jim reports that as a baby during long distance road trips baby Stephen would sleep. However, whenever the car would pass by a large body of water Stephen would wake up alert that something was near. Relatives of Jacalyn Toth Brown related that she showed the same behavior. Can it be that some children are born to be part of the sea?

The entrance fee for most members of the oceanographic community is the attainment of a college degree, with many paying the added price of a masters or doctorate. With such training comes knowledge and research skills. Yet the largely uncharted seas with unknown occupants require another set of skills that are not taught in the classroom. Empathy, unconscious connections, subliminal communications, simple understanding are all part of the occasion. Stephen didn’t need a degree, he had these skills down.

A few days ago, Mom, Brother, Aunt and Uncle met in Atlantic City to gather Stephen’s remains. We met with the team that was working with Stephen, examining bird migration in anticipation of the installations of giant wind turbines. His teammates are fascinating individuals; Greg combines elite pararescue skills with intellect, Juan Carlos shows level-headedness that saved two lives, Melody puts the spark in the team’s operations. We prayed for the speedy recovery of Jacalyn. And we prayed for the souls of Stephen and John.

The night before we were to go pick up Stephen’s remains, we all gathered in Mom’s room at the hotel. Greg broke out a bottle of expensive Scotch and after a few moments, the stories began to flow. I won’t repeat any of the stories, they were for the moment and I would probably get them wrong. But I will report that the team formed a bond that transcended their work. You could sense it in the laughs and tears.

Stephen is physically gone now, but his spirit will live in all of us.

Uncle Dick

I am the Captain of the R/V Hugh R. Sharp and just wanted to send our deepest sympathy and thoughts from myself and the entire Ship’s crew.

We had been sailing with Steve and the Geo-Marine group since January of this year. As I am sure you know, shipboard life is close and very interactive. We all enjoyed the dedication and knowledge that Steve shared with us. Please send our thoughts to the Claussen family.

Regards,

Bill Byam, Captain R/V Hugh R. Sharp

I sometimes have to pinch myself when I realize how fortunate I am to have the Claussen family in my life. I met Karen Claussen in 1984 when I became her employee at the UW medical center. She introduced me to her daughter Susan, who quickly became my soul mate. All of the Claussens are passionate, compassionate, highly intelligent, amazing cooks, and possess a sense of humor to rival Comedy Central. When Steve worked with Keiko in Oregon, he gave my family and me a personal visit with the great whale. I didn't miss the bond Steve had with Keiko. It was a mutual admiration society at play. I was spellbound and especially awed when he said he could make Keiko pee on command. Imagine telling a WHALE when to pee! It still boggles my mind. I loved seeing Steve at a family party a few weeks ago and most remember his gentle eyes and calm voice. It breaks my heart that his family and friends must now endure this tragedy and suffering, but it also speaks volumes to a man who made such a sustaining impact on us.

-Ellen Hagarty

I am trying to think of a story about Stephen that doesn't include

eating perfectly grilled meats, drinking moonshine from Webb's

collection, ranting about politics, and waking up with horrible

headaches to a pack of hungry, barking dogs and oyster shell throw up

inside each of your doors. Well, there was that one time we ate a raw

buffalo and drank Cointreau instead of moonshine.

- Erin Toland

I’ve been thinking of something to write for the past week, and I’m still not able to find the words to adequately express what a wonderful person Stephen was and how much he will be missed. I’ve only known him for a few years, but spending three killer whale research cruises together has left me with many fond memories. Stephen was a joy to work with. He had such a good work ethic, was happy to be doing the work (even in crappy weather), and he was never at a loss for something clever or funny to say. The fondest memories from our cruises were “sunset whales”, Stephen’s “tonnage” record for sightings, and the dance party on the flying bridge. Future cruises will not be the same without him. Stephen was also just an all around nice guy, and I will miss him.

- Dawn Noren