I know this will sound goofy, but news of Steve's death hit me hard, in much the way that the sudden death of John Denver hit me back in the 90's (it still makes me sad today, ten or so years later). JD's voice and music will forever mean Colorado to me, and Steve Medley (or Smedley - a name he bore with great humor) will ever be entwined in my many memories of Yosemite. His love for the park and the people who care for it was always evident. He was a heck of a funny person - another writer mentioned his delighfully inappropriate humor (which always cracked me up) - and yet he was so very kind. He teased my husband and I about moving away to Colorado before we started going back to California to work on YA projects. But every year, when we renewed our membership, or gave extra money, Steve always sent us a personal note of thanks...remembering who we are! It amazed me, considering how many people that man must have come in contact with in his role with YA.

I grew up camping and backpacking Yosemite. My husband and I were married on Glacier Point. Even with Colorado our physical home, Yosemite is our spiritual home. Steve Medley: may your kind spirit wander these "haunts of ancient peace". Yosemite is a place like no other, and you were a man like no other. Go with God, my friend.

Edited by author 10-14-2006 02:21 AM
I wish everyone would include their email addresses so that I can write to some of you, especially those who've posted funny things! NACHOS, sapranos, playing hookey at conventions, and sneaking beer into the Wine & Cheese! What a guy! My email is ronsopas@earthlink.net

During the early part of the first year of law school we were in Torts class, and we had a case in which someone received a "compound fracture." Now probably a lot of us knew what a "compound fracture" was, but we were smart enough to keep our mouths shut. But Steve either decided to raise his hand or he just got called on, and he dutifully, in his low-key manner, explained what a "compound fracture" was. From then on he was known among his circle of friends as Doc Smedley or simply, The Doc.

I recall also that, notwithstanding the stresses of law school, or perhaps because of them, Steve began to play Sousaphone in the Davis Community Band. He kept telling me about it and finally I dragged out my trumpet after 15 years of silence, and joined up. In hindsight, I don't know where I got the time, but it was fun.

When it came time for our annual law school talent show, the Cordozo-rama, I thought it would be fun to put together a wacky brass quartet that would play things like Louie, Louie. I asked Smed if and his Sousaphone would join up, but he told me that he could not play Sousaphone by ear and would not join up. I've often thought about the fact that Steve told me he could not play music by ear, because it was probably one of the few things he could not do.

I only knew Steve from YA meetings from the last few years. I am a people watcher, and he was fun to watch. I especially enjoyed watching him "work a crowd". He was really good at - and will be missed by us all -

I had written number 63 on the message board to express my grief and what I witnessed on the day of Steve's accident.
Due to having the officals call me and saying that two different people called them upset with what I had written-a phone call was made to Andrew (Steve's son) and it was my choice to have my posting removed.
No one should think that this was odd or that something more is meant by the removal.
My posting was not intended to upset anyone!
J, H, R, C, J, A, M and all...........thank you for your warm welcome!
My love and good thoughts are with you all and see you quite soon!

I am so sorry to hear of this loss! Victor K.

It’s been over a week since Steve Medley’s death and my mind and heart can barely accept it. Steve was a friend of 32 years, but more than that he was a constant. He was my boss at Yosemite Association for 21 years and the editor of many of my books. It is rare to know a fellow spirit so full of humor and with such a rich appetite for laughter. Steve was silly and I was often silly with him. We made fun of each other and sometimes we annoyed each other. Over the years our respect for each other grew. He was a proud father and so am I. We shared stories as our sons grew up. His poor sons labored away stuffing countless flashlights and whistles into plastic packets for my Happy Camper Handbook. It earned them spending money, but it became a monotonous task that I’m sure they try to forget.

When Steve first arrived as Henry Berrey’s replacement in 1985 my sadness at Henry’s departure was softened by my excitement at the opportunity to work with Steve. It was not an easy transition though from friend to employee and I had to adjust. Steve’s first book project was Faces in All Kinds of Places, which was almost completed when he arrived. I worked with Steve on several other books after that and eventually found myself working with many new publishers and editors. Steve was wonderful to work with on our last book, Baby Bear Isn’t Hungry. We had a lot of laughs, but his insights were astute and I was very happy with the process.

It was difficult to depart on a conference and school tour two days after his death, but I feel like he has been with me. Every time kids chuckle at the idiotic riddles in the Happy Camper Handbook or grandparents or little tykes fall in love with baby bear, I think of Steve.

Life is too short, especially to know a place like Yosemite. Steve’s life was rich and he lived it well as a wonderful father, husband, and a friend to many, especially Yosemite Park. He lived a life rich with jokes and laughter. I miss him dearly.

I first visited this message board about a week ago, but I had to stop after reading four testimonies—- the tears were flowing so heavily that I was just about broke into sobs. Reading the range of hilarious, knee-slapping Steve debacles to the amazingly eloquent tributes to his energy, his leadership, and his out and out raunchiness was just too much to take in (and at work at that- ahem). Like so many others, I have dozens of great Smedley stories and memories, many adventures gone awry, but others just of his generosity and general fun-poking attitude towards the world.

My very last memory of Steve was at this past YA meeting in Wawona. At a members reception, Steve ambled up and asked me and my boyfriend if we knew what was trellising the porches of the hotel- why they're hops, of course, he replied with a sly grin. I should have known that Steve would know how to identify the right floral landscape, ferment it, and get a high.

It has been nearly two weeks now since I opened the YA email announcing that Steve was gone. I couldn't even read it all the way through for some many hours.

I got my first "YA" membership card (then the "Yosemite Natural History Association") the year before Steve came on board. I have attended nearly every YA Spring Forum and YA Members meeting, with only a few misses, in all these years.

The YA was/is something so special to me, and always will be, but Steve was such a huge part of this.

I have so loved reading every post on this site, since that day, and so thank YA for putting it quickly up, so that we had a place to share our memories, our joys, our unexpected pain...

I've read so many great posts, I tremble at the thought of stating mine in the face of so many tributes, but here goes....

The other night, the following poem just poured out. At best, it is a poor attempt at expressing my thoughts on Steve's passing. At worst - it is cheesy enough poetry that he might have enjoyed.

At it's face value, it is my open grieving for someone who was so incredibly wonderful....and who the rocks and the falls of Yosemite will never forget.

***************
Without You

I still cannot breathe.
I still cannot breathe.
I’ll never drive up the canyon again without my heart breaking.

I still cannot breathe.
I still cannot breathe.
I still cannot breathe – you are gone.

Yet the rocks will still glow
And the streams will flow
And the falls will ebb and recede without you.

And the sun will rise
And the moon will set
Without you.

Without you.

I cannot breathe.
I still cannot breathe.
I can’t imagine a world without you.

I try to draw breathe
I try to breathe in
I’ll never for one minute forget you.

Yet the rocks will still glow
And the streams will still flow
And the falls will ebb and reside.

And the sun will still rise
And the moon will still set
As we grieve as a community
Without you.

Exactly a year ago, I went to Yosemite for the first time, ever. Just a few weeks earlier, I'd gotten a phone call, out of the blue, from a gentleman who introduced himself as Steve Medley. He asked me if I was interested in illustrating a children's book, the manuscript of which he had in front of him. He told me more; he sent me the manuscript and samples of other books YA had published. I fell in love with Michael Ross's gentle story of Baby Bear, and knew I wanted to illustrate it. Then Steve said that I needed to come out to Yosemite, the setting of the book. And so, I went. And it was the most wonderful start to a fantastic book project and a new friendship. I stayed with Jane and Steve at their home for several nights, and was awed by how easy and fun they both were to be with, and how generous and outgoing they were. We talked about all kinds of things, besides Yosemite, found that we had lots in common, and I knew in my heart that I had gained some wonderful new friends. I did the small bit of wandering through Yosemite that one can do in shy of a week, but I sketched and photographed and soaked Yosemite into my soul. And then I returned to North Carolina, and started working on the art for Baby Bear Isn't Hungry. Back and forth, by email, by phone, by letter, I worked with Steve and Michael on the book. It was a wonderful experience, and I looked forward to spending time with Steve and Jane again sometime, possibly with my husband in tow the next time.

I only knew Steve for one year - just one year - but I feel like I have lost a very, very special friend. He gave me so much, in such a short time. Thanks, Steve....

When I think of Yosemite it is oftentimes difficult for me to differentiate the place from the people that over the years I've come to know as friends. The line becomes either blurred or simply erased. Smed is one of those people where the line is clearly erased. From my earliest Yosemite encounters from the mid 70's, he was a knowledgeable and a gifted presence who helped to shape my vision and sharpen my understanding of a special place that would become my spiritual home. His knowledge and playful demeanor are part of my Yosemite and the joy of living. Friends enjoying sweet times together -- and if that happens in a place like Yosemite then you're even luckier. Thanks Smed for sharing all of life's little gifts!
Namaste,
Felix and Cynde

I am so, so sad and still find it hard to believe that Steve is really gone. I have so very many wonderful memories from our friendship of the past 20 years, including all of our board bonding backpacking trips with our spouses and young children along. Climbing peaks, hiking, fish rescues, singing around the campfires (Steve knew all the words to all the songs), pinecone baseball with the kids, swimming in icy lakes, uproarious laughter. Steve was such a funny, smart, witty guy, and my heart breaks for his wonderful family. Steve lived life with joy and love. We will miss him terribly and remember him forever, and his spirit will live on in our Yosemite community.

Edited by author 10-20-2006 07:47 PM
When someone very important passes, there is a shift in the universe. Somehow, everything is different. Nothing is ever the same again. Stephen P. Medley was that important.
We met in 1991 at my first YA volunteer work trip in Yosemite Valley. Steve made the volunteers feel very important. He told us the work we were doing made a difference to the present and future of Yosemite. He made us feel special. He was such a true lover of Yosemite.
Later, when I came to live in El Portal and work at the Ahwahnee, I had the pleasure of seeing Steve from time to time. Although we didn't know each other well, he always greeted me as though we were old friends. He never failed to make my day.
I wish I had known him better and weep as this is written, feeling the overwhelming loss anew. He was a bright light that will never go out. My heart is with his family of which he spoke of with great pride and love.
Steve, you will always be us. Your accomplishments have made the world better in a million ways. I have visited the place where you left us and will never pass that way again without seeing your happy face and feeling your presence. Thank you for sharing your life with us.

May he be always remembered as he was, a great human being. To his family and friends and to the Association, my deepest sympathy.

Thank you for your two emails. I live in the UK and have only been to Yosemite on two occasions (both of them the best times of my life)....I receive your newsletters and it really saddened me to hear about the death of Steven Medley at such a young age and in such tragic circumstances.

Obviously I will be unable to be in Yosemite for the Memorial Service but Steven will be in my thoughts and prayers on that day.

God Bless,
Lorienne

To Steve's family, I am so sorry to hear this news, he will be missed dearly by the public that knew him, and folks that have heard of him, and followed his work.

Sincerely, Jackie Marshall
Bishop, Ca

My heart goes out to his wife and kids during he painful months ahead.
I remember Steve as the park librarian since Dave and I spent a lot of time there while Dave was researching old records and bird notes for BIRDS OF YOSEMITE and the East Slope.
Another reminder that cars are lethal weapons that come in different colors.