Tribute to Steve

Hey everyone. This is my dad, Steve. He's a great guy, and my bestest of best friends. I've always been close with my dad, and have always appreciated our relationship. In high school when it wasn't cool to love your dad, I loved him anyway and felt comfortable talking with him about my perceived complicated life.

My dad is probably the smartest man I know personally. I remember having trouble with my calculus homework in high school. Steve said, "let me take a look at it." I remember thinking, "uh, ok, whatever," but acquiesced anyway to indulge him. This was complicated stuff - we were right in the middle of the school year and deep into the integrals and derivatives. After only a few minutes, he had figured it out. I've never forgotten that and have come to appreciate the kind of mind it would take to pull off a complex calculus problem when you haven't taken a math class for 25 years. I take great pride in coming up with pointless facts or information that I know and he doesn't. It's kind of become a game for me.

My dad has also had a very successful professional career as an attorney. He's very well respected among his peers, and has received the highest peer rating possible by Martindale Hubbell. He's very quick to think on his feet which makes him very valuable in the courtroom. He makes no reservation of asking the hard questions, and doesn't seem to be intimidated by anyone. In fact, there have been many occasions where I've been witness to him seriously grinding on some other attorney over the phone, fighting like a pit bull for his client to the point where it's actually uncomfortable to listen to. Then at the end of the conversation, he can ask sincerely to the other guy - so how's the wife and kids? And people reciprocate! They know he's just a genuine guy. I don't know how he does it. The thing is, as successful as he has been in the legal profession, he could have done equally well in any other field. For example - one of his passions is architecture. He designed and built his giant cabin. Enough said.

My pops is also the most generous man I know. I can't count how many times he's helped me out of a bind. I look around my house at all the things I own - and somehow I can find a way to trace many of them back to his generosity. I'm only one of 8 kids in our family, and I know he's done the same for them. His family means everything to him. Steve gives and gives freely to so many people - family or not. I think he knows where his blessings come from and is quick to share. I'd share more examples specifically that I know of, but I don't think he would want me to. But know that there have been very many who have been touched and helped by his kindness and generosity.

Steve is also very gifted spiritually. I've learned that when he says he's had a dream or a prompting - I pay attention. He works very hard to keep his life in harmony with God's will. For many years he's given up his time to go work in the temple twice a week. I've always admired that. Consistent temple work is an easy thing to talk about, but not as easy to actually do. Keeping yourself worthy in the first place is always a challenge. I've been working with my dad at his law office for about 8 years. My favorite thing about it is being able to work with him. Once a week or so, he'll pull me into his office and close the door. Then we just sit and talk. He often shares with me new things that he's learned in the scriptures or in the temple. He tells me he loves me, he helps me keep a broad perspective, he helps me feel closer to God. Outside of my own family experiences, these moments with my dad are the most cherished things in my life.

So I'm not ashamed of my sentimental, corny side. I inherited it from my dad after all. The bottom line is that I love my dad. And where people can be quite cavalier about using the term hero - my dad really is my personal hero. If I can only amount to half the man he is, then I will have done very well. So Dad, if you read this - thank you for everything, honestly - everything. I love you.