Well Shit. I’ve been avoiding writing this as long as I could. Visiting Steve in hospice it felt like the game wasn’t over yet.  Sure we were getting our asses kicked, what’s new, but at least we were still in the game.

 Call me a poor sport but I’m not sure I’m ready to tap paddles,  say “good game”, and call it a night.

Come on, one more game ya bastard.  You didn’t use cancer as an excuse so I’m not gonna let you use death as one.  I know you won’t either.  So “go to your corner” and let’s start a new game.  0-0

Damn we’ve had a lot of fun. I’d say we’ll miss you but that isn’t quite accurate. Your body may be gone but so much of you is still here and lives on in our hearts and memories and the culture of this community that you so heavily shaped with your heart and humor.  

However,  I will miss my morning texts from you that were written in your special love language. ”Good morning dickhead”. I love you too fucker.

I hear it raining outside and I can only assume it is because you have all the angels laughing so hard they pissed themselves. 

I love you buddy! Now fuck off, I need to go to sleep.

Prayers and condolences for the family. Steve was a great friend and a fellow veteran.  He will be missed. 

My condolences to Steve's family. I first met Steve when he wanted to join the ladder league I was running at ICE Athletics. He told me he needed to play as much as possible so that he could get good enough to play in Doug Perry's group in Goshen. You had to be a 3.5 back then to play in that group. That was really important to him. So, he played over here to improve...and boy did he ever! During that ladder league Steve's wit and sarcasm came out. Watching him interact with Don Sharpe was hysterical. I loved it! Over the years I played in Steve's morning groups at the warehouse and Picklehaus, played against him in tournaments, and always had fun. In the last few years, I felt closer to him than ever. What I can picture the most is how he would tease me when I'd make an error and say a non- cuss word like SHOOT or DANG and he'd say, "Watch your language young lady" or just shout out loud from a court away, "LANGUAGE!" and we both would crack up. The other thing I'll always picture is Steve stretching on his towel or sitting in his chair in the corner at the warehouse, calling out numbers of who played next...and getting frustrated when we weren't paying attention and he'd have to repeat it. He'd throw his gray binder down and say, "I'm not repeating it, look at it yourselves!"

I loved this guy. He was special. I normally don't do well with sarcasm, but his was the exception. I loved being around him. He always made me laugh. I will miss this guy more than I can write here. One in a billion is Steve Betts! See you in heaven, Steve! Until that day, you are in my heart! Always remembered, always loved!

Your friend,

Denise Van De Walle