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Steve Metsker passed away

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One of the main reasons that I keep on being so involved with OOPSLA is the people. I've had the opportunity to meet so many people who are immensely knowledgeable, funny, and friendly.

One of the people that I've been honoured to know is Steve Metsker. Other people know Steve through his books (Design Patterns in Java, Design Patterns in C# , Building Parsers with Java), but I've always known him first and foremost as a fellow OOPSLA attendee and committee member. We always found some time to chat, catching up with what had happened in the months since we last saw each other. He's always been one of my favourite members of the OOPSLA community.

I learned this afternoon that Steve passed away yesterday shortly after having been diagnosed with cancer. He is survived by his wife and two young daughters. He will be very missed -- OOPSLA won't feel the same without him.

Edited on Sunday, 10 February 2008 to add the following from his family:

Steven John Metsker passed away on Friday, February 8, 2008 after a short illness with cancer. Aged 49, he is survived by his loving wife, Alison, and their daughters, Sarah-Jane and Emma-Kate. Having earned Engineering degrees from both the Colorado State University and the University of Massachusetts, Steve was accomplished in a profession for which he had great passion. Born in Colorado, he also lived in Massachusetts, Maine, Texas, Switzerland, Kentucky, England, and Richmond. He made many friends everywhere he went. A loving and caring husband, father, brother, son, friend, and colleague, he was also a humble and wise mentor. He was a positive and loving influence on all of us, who will miss him dearly. In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Baldrick's fund raising program for childhood cancer or to Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin Ireland.

Edited on Tuesday, 12 February 2008, to add the following from a colleague of Steve's:

Steve's memorial was yesterday and it was an beautiful summary of an incredible life -- the church was filled to over capacity. Steve touched many, many people who will miss him dearly.

Several people have asked how they can best help Steve's family through this difficult time. The following information from Alison's brother describes an education fund that has been established for his daughters to ensure their college planning is continued without disruption. Please send this information to others you know that may interested in helping in this way.

I don't want to post this information publicly, but if you would like to assist his family in such a way, please email me and I will share it. I can also share an address for condolences.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    February 09, 2008
    By Far the best mentor I have ever had. A good man who loved his kids. A good teacher. A good soul. He will surely be missed.

  • Anonymous
    February 10, 2008
    Fair winds and following seas, Steve.

  • Anonymous
    February 10, 2008
    Steve was a very close friend to me and I can't express the great loss that I and all who knew him must feel. He was an inspiration to me and all he touched, in so many ways; he will be deeply missed. Thank you for honoring him.

  • Anonymous
    February 11, 2008
    Steve was a family member - a great person - husband and wife He will be missed and never forgotten

  • Anonymous
    February 11, 2008
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    February 11, 2008
    I worked with Steve in Maine and Texas, and he was a good father, and always an interesting colleague.  He enjoyed learning new things, and then was quick to share them with others around him, too excited to keep them to himself.  I'm sorry that he is gone so soon.

  • Anonymous
    February 11, 2008
    ...what a bright man he was. But not only was he bright, he was also smart, sincere, always humble, loyal and last but not least humorous. All the best to Alison and the "mädchens"!

  • Anonymous
    February 13, 2008
    I had the pleasure and honor to have worked with Steve at SEMATECH.  I am shocked beyond words to hear about his death.  Steve was a wealth of knowledge and yet was very humble.  My family had the pleasure of interacting with him, Alison and Emma-Kate in Austin.  My heartfelt condolences to them.