This is sad news, indeed. Steve was a tough competitor, but always a gentleman and friend.
In the ballistic pattern days in the south, many of us beginners relied on the guidance and help of Steve. When he was at Futaba, he often fast-tracked a radio issue when we were trying to make a national contest. I lost track of him when he moved to Alabama and our paths never crossed.
Here's an old polaroid I took at the Tangerine ('78? '79?).