Steven Johnson
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The picture brought him back for me... Truly sorry. He was a kind soul. Very active on the old @last forum and the old SCF. too too soon.
I thought I might repost one of his last posts, it really shines a light on who he was.
@unknownuser said:
Greetings to all my fellow SketchUppers! How the heck are ya? I've missed you guys! But I do admit to falling off the face of the earth for a while. So, here is what's happening in my life over the last several months:
One of my last postings here was about losing weight. Well, guess what? I lost some. Thirty pounds and counting. Of course, while I don't look, I do find some of it every now and again but, in my growing forgetfulness, lose it again. Now if I could only find my sanity, my patience and, while we're at it, my virginity!
Oh wait! I think I found that one! After separating from my wife and subsequently divorcing I have re-entered the dating pool. And someone needs to add a little more chlorine. Yikes, have I met some, shall we say, "interesting" people.
Work-wise I have been busy (after some slow times). I have 23 projects (1 job) I contracted last week that I will be starting on (hopefully) before weeks end. That will keep me busy. Plus, I have ventured into the world of music (again). While I am not playing (yet, I think) I am managing. Matt has a full band and 2 CD's under his belt; the second will be coming out before the end of the year. The music is done but the artwork (my department) is not complete yet. Plus we have to get everything printed and distributed (also me). Then it's gig time. I'll scout places, promote the band, negotiate contracts with the establishment, etc. It should be fun (it is already). Bear in mind, I have no clue as to what I'm doing yet but learning as I go and so is Matt. It's a good match.
Speaking of Matt, I went to his wedding over the summer (the wedding was 17 August) and it was in.....Cancun. Eight days and seven nights at the Moon Palace Resort. We had a blast! We saw and did all kinds of different things. The coolest was releasing baby sea turtles. We had to dig them out of the sand, count the turtles and the eggs (ones hatched and not) and then release them into the ocean. We did over 2,000 that night! What a great experience. And, yes, we made it out 2 days before hurricane Dean.
I was back for just over a week and then I flew to Seattle, Washington for my cousins wedding. While I spent a lot of time there as a kid I had not been back in 17 years. It was wonderful seeing family and just exploring the area.
Now here is an SU related story. After leaving Seattle I flew up to Anchorage, Alaska (I figured I was already halfway there coming from Chicago). After landing I was picked up at the airport by....George Johnston. Anybody remember him? While I was going through all my heart/health issues George was going through a bout of his own with cancer. We met through the original Forum and continued to communicate via e-mail and the phone. We were support for each other (as were many of you). He was a great comfort to me and I to him. So, being in Seattle, I thought I would fly up for a visit.
While his cancer is in remission there are some, shall we say, complications. Per his request I will not divulge details. All I can ask is that you keep him in your thoughts and prayers and if any of you want to send him a message let me know and I'll provide his e-mail to you.
While in Anchorage I saw all kinds of wondrous things. Lots of glaciers to be seen, eagles, moose ( and one in the front year of George's house where I stayed), sea lions and even Beluga whale. Not sights you see every day in very urban Chicago.
George was gracious enough to lend me his truck keys so I drove up to Fairbanks. While I was on an expressway there were stop and go lights and even sections of gravel road. I was hoping to see Mt. Denali (as the road goes through Denali National Park) it was too cloudy and rainy. It was the same on the way back. Still, I had such a good time. And George, if you read this, thanks again for your most generous hospitality. I spent 6 days total in Alaska (and 6 in Seattle).
Now that I'm home it's back to the grind. It's not so bad after such a wonderful adventure.
Well that covers quite a bit. I can never seem to keep e-mails/postings short for some reason so I hope you made it through without too much excruciating pain.
All my best to all of you.
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Mike, I can't thank you enough for sending me a notification about this.
I am deeply saddened to hear this news.
Steven and I last spoke about 2 years ago. We used to speak often. My son and I visited with him some 6 years ago when we were travelling in his vicinity.He was very much part of the character that built the original SketchUp community.
Even though we had not spoken for a while, I will always consider him a friend.
What a raw deal that such a vibrant young soul should have so little time on this earth.I will always think of him with great fondness.
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I too had the opportunity to meet Steven. Just as Susan had done, I visited with him a couple of times when I was in the Milwaukee area for a few days. Such fun.
The best thing about Steven was his intellect. Next was his sense of humor. And last, but definitely not least was his great voice. It had a James Earl Jones quality. Deep, with a never ending laugh.
It saddens me to think that voice is now silent......
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Although I only remember Steven faintly from the old @Last forum, it's always sad to see someone passing away in a way too early age...
RIP -
Good to see you Susan... Albeit sad circumstances.
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Sad tidings have a way of bringing people together. Barbara seemed to drop of the face of the earth for a while. I am happy to hear from her as and well and glad that she was in touch with Steven to the degree that she was able to inform all of us who very much care, about his passing.
Hugs to Barbara, Kris,Mike, Chris ,Csaba, Allan, et al.
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Acutally Susan I hadn't been in touch with Steven for a while. A couple of years actually, which was my bad. Shouldn't have done that. I could at least returned phone calls, but alas I did not.
I would often just Google his name, fearing that I might find what I found. His heart was always an issue, and he often told me he knew he would not grow old. It was inevitable.
I posted what I found on the Forum primarily because I knew all of you would want to know. Second, I wanted him to once again be surrounded by his freinds. He loved the Forum so much, and is smiling from somewhere above. I did not want him to be forgotten.
I am back on the face of the earth!
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I'm back on the face of the earth!!!
Actually Susan I hadn't communicated with Steven in a while. I should have, should have at least returned phone calls, which I did not. That was my bad.
How did I find out? I would frequently Google his name, fearing I would find exactly what I found. He often told me he knew he would never grow old. It was inevitable. I wanted to know when it happened.
I posted it on the Forum for a couple of reasons. Number one I knew you guys would want to know. The second reason was for Steven. I wanted him to once again be surrounded by his friends. Feel their love. I know how happy it would make him to be a part of the Forum with you guys again. I did not want him to be forgotten.
Bet he's laughing that great laugh from somewhere in the beyond.
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I didn't "fall off the face of the earth" Susan, just slid down the edge!
Actually I hadn't been as close to Steven in the last little while as I should have been. Didn't return phone calls or emails, which was my bad.
How did I find out? I would frequently Google his name, fearing I would find exactly what I found. He often told me that he knew he would never grow old. It was inevitable.
I posted it on the Forum for a couple of reasons. First, I knew a lot of you cared about him and would want to know. The second reason was just for Steven. I knew how much it would mean to him to once again be a part of the Forum with his friends. Feel their love. I did not want him to just slip away, to be forgotten.
Hopefully he's watching.....
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Okay, I have now successfully posted three times on the same subject.
Oh my end it appeared the first two did not go through, but apparently they have landed.
Please disregard the first two!! Or all of them if you so choose....
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Which of the three?
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We need a "like" button on this forum. That was a wonderful post Barbara.
It bore repeating.
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Oh, as you answered I was editing my reply. See above. All 3 were equally good
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Where is that like button when you need it??
Thing is, Steven's death has had an interesting effect on me.
He and I were very close for a long time. During a lot of that I made an attempt to do architectural illustration, which I loved. He was one of my strongest supporters. However, I have not touched a colored pencil or a marker in over six years. Yes Ray Brown, you heard me right. Have forgotten how to do SketchUp. Forgotten how much I wanted to learn Piranesi. Forgotten it all.
Why? Can't explain it. Just life I guess. I'm not certain Steven would buy that excuse. He would ask me why I wasn't doing what I loved. He would be so very disappointed in me, and be very vocal in expressing that disappointment in his wonderful voice. I owe it to him.
I think his death, and finding some of you guys again, who do feel almost like family, will help me find my way back to who I was.
Thanks....
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