October update

Please tell Steve, for me... that he is loved and you all are in my thoughts, prayers, and heart...

Betsy, Ann and Marion: I've not met you in person but very much appreciate getting your messages about Steve. You manifest strength and caring. Please tell Steve that he continues on my mind, that I often have occasion to refer to his work on plutonium,especially now with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service pressing ahead with their plans to open the contaminated Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge to the public. I honor the example of his tenacity. Thanks and warm regards to all of you. LeRoy

Dear Steve, It was with a heavy heart that I read the latest update from Betsy, Ann, and Marion about the failure of the last course of chemotherapy to control your cancer. Your courage and tenacity throughout the ordeal of your illness have been inspiring and completely consistent with the integrity you have demonstrated in your professional life. My thoughts are with you and your family as you enter hospice care. Warmly, Bob

Timing never seems right, yet some times are more right than others. BUT THIS ONE IS NOT RIGHT. Still, it is beautiful, just like the whole journey you are letting us be part of. (Some of us need to rage, rage!) Love, Jo

Thank you for this latest report. Seeing it brings great sadness. Bob Lawrence has so nicely captured the sentiments that I would wish to echo. I can only hope that great comfort will be with you through this next important chapter of your awesome journey. I remain wishing for a miracle. Meanwhile, thank you, once again, for the model that you have been that we could all do well to emulate. Thinking of you at this time.

Heartbreaking. Steve, Betsy, Ann and Marion you have been in my thoughts and prayers. Your strength and courage throughout this process has been unfaltering. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of the most difficult time in your lives. LOVE TO YOU ALWAYS. Susan

Dear Steve, we met briefly at an SRAP dinner in North Carolina a few years ago. I don't have many heroes, but you are one of them. I have a deep respect and appreciation for all your research into factory farm impacts - I refer to it constantly in my work - and they provide a human and humane connection that validates what people experience. But in reading about how you have handled this difficult health situation, I am impressed and inspired by how you have continued to carry out your work and all the joys of your life as much as you were able in spite of it all. I echo what others have said here that you are a model for all of us on so many levels. Please know I hold you and your loving family in my heart.

Betsy, Ann and Marion: We have not met, but my husband Steve Stevick and I are so grateful to be a part of your family during this long journey. You have created a way for us to be included, where we could tell Steve how deeply in our hearts he resides and how he has inspired our work and always will. We are heartbroken and want Steve to know how important he is to us. I too hold you all in my heart as you enter hospice care. Thinking of you all many times a day with admiration, appreciation and gratitude.

Steve, even though we haven't seen each other in nearly 40 years, I can remember our college friendship as though it were this very morning. Your confident smile and mellow demeanor were comfort to me then and have been an inspiration to me all of my life since. Likewise, my friendship with Betsy was so very important to me as a young person, and I have always enjoyed knowing that I had some small part in you two meeting! Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers, and that I love you very much. Charley

Dear Steve, I hope those poisons clear your body quickly, so you can get back to playing the piano and taking in all the love and appreciation that surrounds you. Thank you for enduring all of this so we could have more time with you. Lance

Dear Steve, Betsy, Ann and Marion, I send you warm greetings from Ghana where I am traveling for work. Though it is far for the body to travel, the spirit is there in an instant and so I am right there beside you, holding space for you in my heart. You can step into this heart space that encircles you as a family, that is fed by the love of so many who support you, whenever you need to. When you feel weary, in pain, just know that it is always there for you to access at will. Breathe it in. Invite it in as you would a guest at your table. Let each moment be rich with the sweet honey offered to you now by the community that you have nurtured and tended throughout your lives. And let us know how we might otherwise step up to help. Loving you, always, Ginny

How my heart hurts to hear this news. Hearing this the heart of our whole community must have just skipped a beat since you are so well loved here. Our community was so enriched by you being part of it. Betsey, Ann & Marion must be aching with the news and hopefully also realizing that it was the blessing of a lifetime to have been able to call you husband and father. I stand in awe of people like you , Steve, who lift up the vibration of this world higher than it would have been without you in it. Your inspiration for all who knew you will last. Soar on, sweet man. xoxo Cathy

Dear Steve, Betsy, Ann, and Marion, We are so saddened to hear this difficult news. We are holding you in our hearts and in our prayers, that God may bring you comfort. Steve, your life has been such an inspiration to me and has certainly influenced many of my choices and attitudes. You continue to inspire me with your grace in dealing with this illness and your will to continue to share your spark as you are able. I am gearing up to speak at the EJ Summit, which would certainly not have happened without you. Thank you for leading the way to justice for so many communities and showing us as researchers how to ask questions that will further justice in the world. With love, Kim Gaetz and family

Dear Betsy, Marion, and Ann and with thoughts of you all and Steve, We are all so sad and disappointed that you and Steve are in this current state. i spent a lot of my career in cancer, and although I am not a physician, I often have been struck by how well and long many people live in hospice. We are so fortunate to have amazingly good hospice care in this area. I hope that, for Steve and each of you. hospice care means renewed quality of life, effective management of symptoms, and the chance to share many loving moments since each day counts. There are many people in the School we can mobilize to help if you just let us know what you need. thank you for sharing even the very hard messages. please tell Steve that i am thinking of him. Barbara Rimer

Dear Steve, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. You're in our hearts and on our minds every day. Thank you for all you have done all of your life for all of us. You are what every scientist should aspire to become, and every friend should hope to be. You remind me so much of my older brother, who passed away from colon cancer two years ago. I'm happy to say that the time his family and closest friends spent with him in the hospice are some of the sweetest and most joyful memories we have. Love always, david

Dear Steve and family, My prayer for you all is that this precious time is full of magic and mystery. It is a time of great depth and grace and very likely surprises as well. Know that I am among the throngs supporting you along your way. Peace and gentle smiles to you all, Kathy Shea

Steve, Betsy, Ann, Marion, it is indeed with a heavy heart that i read this post. Thank you all so much for keeping us in this loop of this Life challenging Adventure. As i know and see in these many hundreds of comments, the Love that You Steve and and Your Family has given to this world, and our community, is profound, the the universe responds in like back to You. Thanks again so much for sharing this Journey with us..... Sending you all, so much Love, peace, and comfort. Scotty and Diane

Sending all my love, and hoping these beautiful autumn days bring peace. We are with you.

No words but much love.

Dear Steve, Betsy, Ann, and Marion - this is not the news I was hoping to see but I thank you for sharing it. So many people talk about "making a difference" and "changing the world" these days, but in your case these phrases ring true. My heart goes out to all of you.

Steve, it is indeed hard to read this news. You continue to be an inspiration to me, just as you were when I first came to North Carolina and you were my faculty advisor. I think of you when I travel to New Orleans, or when I sing a jazz number in the area (smile). I just met with community experts including Naeema Muhammad, and we sang your praises as the consummate example of an academic researcher who knows how to engage in an authentic partnership with communities. I said that you have been an advocate as long as I can remember (smile). I pray for comfort and precious moments. Betsy, Ann, and Marion, thank you for sharing the updates for an amazing person, advocate, scientist, mentor, musician,.... With Love, Lori Carter-Edwards

Steve and Family, my thoughts are with you. It is really hard for us to hear what you are going through. I can assure you that we feel what you feel. I had two friends who recently went through the same situation. Take care. Wael Al-Delaimy

Dear Steve, Betsy, Ann and Marion, I would like to express on behalf of the members of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) our sadness for these difficult news. Steve has been a person very much esteemed in ISEE and has inspired with his work and his personality many new researchers. I wanted to let you know that there are many researchers around the world who have been fighting for the same ideals as Steve and who will be thinking of Steve and wishing the best, Un abrazo fuerta, Manolis Kogevinas, President ISEE

Thank you Steve and family for sharing this difficult journey. Such admiration for this man of great kindness, strength and modesty. Heavy heart but with much gratitude for what he has given and shared with so many.

Dear Betsy, Ann, Marion, & Steve - Thank you for sharing this very difficult news. I can't bear to think of the time passing so fleetingly, my mind and heart grasping for every memory of Steve and his vibrancy in work, music, and being. I hold them very close to my heart, fanning the flame of hope to keep him alive as long and as comfortably as possible. Peace be with you every breath of every day. All my love and care, Amy

Steve and family, my heart too is saddened as I miss Steve's vibrant smile and cheerfulness here and will forever hold it in my heart. In all the 13 years I've been here, he has always been that way. He is truly an inspiration. I admire his strength and courage so much and it definitely encourages me in many ways to remain strong through things I go through that are much less than what he has endured. I'm continuing to pray for your family. Much Love and Hugs Steve, Lisa

Theresa and I are so sad to hear this news and can't begin to imagine what it's like for you as a family. We think of you often and wish you peace, love and comfort.

Dear Steve,Betsy, and beautiful family, We continue to surround you with all the love we have..this news saddens us deeply. Steve, as a cherished musician, environmentalist,friend-we love you. Kim and Lewie

Dear Steve, Your integrity and courage continues to sustain us. Know that many are sending love your way. Raymond Neutra

Steve is an extraordinary person. And his contributions to science have been outstanding. I hope for the best. Juan Ramos-Bonilla

Steve - you have done so much good for so many, risking your own health and career so that your community partners could live in a cleaner and safer environment. Thanks for all you have done and continue to do to inspire so many. My heart goes out to you and your family and hope for good days and times together.

Dear Steve. I get so sad when I think of your situation. You have given me tremendous support over the years and courage to carry on. You are such a great person and inspiration for my work. I remember our happy moments when we met last time in Seattle. My thoughts go to you and your family. Martin Tondel

Thanks for this sad news. I have fond memories of Steve, but he probably won't recall me. My own wife died, of pancreatic cancer, exactly two years ago today. Not that that is intended as any kind of consolation. When she got to the hospice, her quality of life actually improved .. I hope Steve is not too distressed; I believe he made the world a better plac

Dear Steve, It's sad to read of your illness from Wael & Raymond (E & P Committee members of ISEE)....! Iam pained by the sorry state of development of your disease [cancer] and your health. We are hopeful and wish you a state of improving health & strength. Alhaji Aliyu NIGERIA

Dear Steve: I send my love -- and as always, my great admiration. You are, quite simply, one of the best people I know. It's true. Cat

Dear Steve, I'm not a personal friend, I am an ISEE member sharing your ethical values and passion in protecting population's health, and I want to send you all my energy and support in the difficult moments you are living. Warm regards Sylvia Medina

Dear Steve, Betsy, Ann and Marion: This sad news just breaks my heart. I am grateful that the universe brought us together through our children. I am humbled and awed by the way you all have handled this challenge. We send you much love and hold each of you in our hearts.

I'm at a conference in Wenatchee, Washington this week (Eastern WA) and during one of the sessions STEVE was mentioned! In Eastern Washington. You're everywhere, Professor. What a gift you've given us all. Much love to you, Betsy, your girls and grandbabies.

Steve, Betsy, Marion and Ann, Sending you all wishes of comfort and love. You are in my thoughts every day. Hugs to you all. Jess

Steve and family: I have thought about you many, many times over the past year and I am forever grateful for your courage to stand up for what you believe. It has bolstered my own conviction to act on what we know, despite the ever-present uncertainties. I have also been reminded of my father's death as your life comes to an end. We celebrated his life with him until he drew his last breath. I miss him everyday, but I am so grateful for the final years of his life where I spent as much time with him as possible. I still talk with him on a daily basis and he remains a rock and powerful symbol of integrity for me, as do you. In the end, it is what we give to the world that is important, not how long we live. And you have given so much. You will be remembered and your efforts will last long into the future. With love from my family to yours, Bruce

I had the good fortune to meet Steve during my MPH program in the early 80s thanks to Geni Eng. As a result I spent a day with him learning how to wrap collars around broccoli plants to keep insects from invading their stems. I wrapped row after row with Steve's instruction and gentle oversight. Many years later I met Chris Heaaney when he became a Kellogg Community Health Scholar and found out that Steve was his mentor. This explained why I so admired Chris. Chris is now my colleague at Hopkins, where I'd hoped Steve would have become the CLF director. It was not to be and everything has its season. Steve's season is to now be surrounded by all forms of love, joy, and appreciation. I'm grateful that my path crossed his and I'm sure it'll happen again. Steve, just know, it is well. Peace and Blessings. Sincerely, Janice Bowie

Steve and the Wing family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I never met you face to face, but communicated via email. Last year, I was working on a project with a mentor and we decided to highlight your CBPR work. The more I read about you and your research, the more I realized that what you did...what you were doing... that is what I want to do. You fought many good and great battles, from your research and now your own body. Thank you for responding to my questions and for allowing me to tell your story in my small way. Thank you for inspiring so many people, especially us students. Thank you, Steve. I pray for peace and comfort over you and your family.

Dear Steve, I want to echo the beautiful tributes on this page and tell you that your devotion to true partnership with communities will continue to inspire me and many others. We will do our best to keep up the fight, even with heavy hearts. I will be holding you and your family in the light.

Dear Steve, I was saddened to learn that the latest chemo was not successful. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you enter Hospice. Hopefully, once the chemo drugs are out of your system you will be able to enjoy some good times with those who cherish you most. Your wonderful work in environmental justice has been an inspiration to me and many, many more. And your courage and tenacity in your fight against cancer is an inspiration as well. May the sounds of wind and birds and rain and the songs of your loved ones comfort you. With warm regards, Polly Walker (Center for a Livable Future, JHU)

Hi Steve. As I teach epidemiology to doctoral students now, I am often reminded of the many things you taught me. And all the joy you brought to the student room with your incredible smile. What a privilege it is to know you!

Dear Steve I am still remembering the warm evening we spend as colleagues for the first time at a small restaurant in Simi Valley, CA discussing the notorius AI/Rocketdyne study results..I can't believe this is more than 20 years ago now. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to meet you then as a student! Following your research and engagement for communities over the past decades was uplifting and inspiring. I wish you all the best and as much time as possible with those who matter most in your life. Beate Ritz