Steve Person

Steven John Person, age 73, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan passed away surrounded by his family Sunday afternoon, February 11, 2018, at his home. He was born on March 14, 1944, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, the son of the late John Paul and Janet (Carson) Person. To follow is Steve's description of his life. Things that I loved: KATHY!!!!! Teaching, photography, traveling, woodworking, building things, the river, having fun, music, our house, getting together with family and friends, working hard, accomplishing 'impossible tasks', making people happy and helping them feel good about themselves, I am honored to have donated over 6 gallons of blood to EUP Blood Bank. I referred to myself as a teacher, rather than as a college professor, if asked what I did for a living. Teaching was definitely my passion - I loved it, and I worked hard at it and was often rewarded by positive feedback from students, even years later! I like to think I was very highly respected by my students. (note that I use the word "respect" rather than popular.) The degrees that I earned; Albert Lea Senior High School, 1962 B.S. Zoology, Iowa State University, 1966 M.S. Comparative Physiology, ISU, 1968 Ph.D. Environmental Zoophysiology ('Reindeer Nutrition'), University of Alaska, Institute of Arctic Biology, 1975. Distinguished Teacher of the Year, Lake Superior State College 1979. Michigan Association of Governing Boards award, Lake Superior State University 1995. Awarded by the Governing Board of Michigan Universities recognized teaching excellence. Served on the Scholastic Committee for many many years and felt that I had a personal impact on students and the quality of education at Lake State. In the early 70's, I worked for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) as a member of the Joint Fish and Wildlife Advisory Team (JFWAT), working on environmental surveillance during the construction of the Trans Alaska Pipeline. I married Carolyn in 1965, and together we raised three wonderful sons - about 80% of the success is due to the effort of their mother. In 1989 I married (Mary) Kathy, my "Angel from Paradise", and that was the beginning of over 28 years of unbelievable joy and happiness. I always felt blessed by my many, very diverse friendships, and was delighted and humbled at all the support from my many friends when they found out I was ill. I'm so terribly proud of our three successful sons and their wonderful families: Paul and Karen and their two sons Matt and Timmy, Josh and Denise and their sweet daughters Sophia and Camilla, and Luke and Suzy, and their son Dre' and daughter, Kendra along with their oldest son Chris and his partner Cady and their children Caden and Christina. Always had a smile on my face. Many a beer, bottle of wine, and shots were consumed while celebrating the wonderfully lucky life I've been able to live! A funeral service will be held at 5:00 PM on Thursday, February 15, 2018, at C.S. Mulder Funeral Home. Friends may call at the funeral home from 3:00 PM until the time of the service. Cremation will follow the funeral service with entombment on a later date at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the LSSU Aquatic Fish Lab or Hospice of the EUP.

Tributes

Steve Person

March 14, 1944 - February 11, 2018