I was only a friend, so I cant tell you his life's story, but I can share what I know.
I met Steve when I was 13. He played for my cousin Danny Krausz's polka band. He was this big guy with this deep voice, but he was a gentle sole. He left for college my freshman yr of highschool. He headed off to Chicago and it was clear that this hometown kid was going out into the world and would forever be a musician and world traveler. He played with many greats like the Chicago Push & Lenny. He was writting and signing his own stuff. He would send me tapes in the mail and say "what do you think?" They were always good. He spent time in TN and FL, but mostly he cruised the waters on one big ship after another entertaining all of the guests. I was so jealous of the emails and post cards telling of his adventures in FL, Alaska, Europe and everywhere in between. He was a man of many talents, they all came so naturally. Playing such a variety of instruments and singing any tune you mentioned. He recognized the need for God in his life and wrote and sang many gospel tunes. He would come back to "land", but always returned to the water and the big boats. He wasn't meant to be bottled up in one place too long. He loved his friends and his family, but mostly he loved his music. He got bored with it sometimes, always searching for more. But he always went back to it. 25 years of touring,traveling and playing. You couldn't help but love Steve. He had this simple way about him that was just contagious. Steve's life story, the way he shared it with me was this...I'm a traveling man, looking for love, looking for peace, looking for answers and at the end of the story he has finally found all of those things. I can hear the Heavenly music play dear friend, rest. Blessings, Tanya