Both my then-girlfriend (now my wife) and I knew Steve when we were attending Indiana University back in the late 1980s. Steve and I spent many hours together working at the basement of Lindley Hall (the building where Computer Science Department was located then). He often invited my then-girlfriend and I to his house for his famous cornbread. We lost touch soon after I moved to Chicago. I have been searching for him for many years -- only to find his obituary now. I am very sad but also glad to be able to be part of Steve's life however briefly. He was a mentor and a kind friend. We missed him. My wife and I still talked about him even 35 years since we last saw him. 

I'm so sad and feeling so guilty in losing touch with Steve.  I was a classmate in high school and friend for years afterward.  I was married to a classmate and friend of all those who Steve grew up with.  Our house was where they gathered for years during and after the Vietnam years.  Steve had a room in his house that was completely filled with an elaborate train set up.  His father worked for the railroad also.   He was certainly a  unique individual who was full of surprises!   It was impossible not to love him even with his gruff manner.  He developed that later in life.  I did lose touch again even after reconnecting again in Bloomington.  We had a class reunion yesterday the 9th and one of the classmates had been trying to locate Steve and just found this as he was searching again on Friday.  I am so sorry that I can't be there for the celebration today as I have other commitments that I would cancel if I could.  Thank you for the wonderful honor to Steve.  It certainly was Steve and yes, I can see that he would want to be placed in the Rio Grande River.  He was special.

My sincere condolences to Steve’s family and friends. 

Denise

Billy Shears Party