Stephen James SAWYER

Steve was probably born in Colorado Springs, CO (?), since his parents had accepted a charge (in 1954? after Bob's 2yr military draft ended) to manage a mission in a remote part of CO (right?) with VERY basic conditions. The family also spent quite a bit of time near Lamar, CO where Lois had come from, esp. summer vacations, etc. Then in 1962 they moved to CO Spgs to manage the Faith Orphanage (Christian Home for Children) there. I remember visiting the family at the big house at 1880 S Cascade Ave (1962-6) and running around playing games w/the cousins (and Steve singing 'Mare's Eat Oats ...' it was 1965, yr of huge flood, flight into Denver was VERY rough). The family moved to Allendale, MI in 1966 (Steve was 11yo) after Bob accepted a teaching position at the public school there. Lois volunteered at Rest Haven as an RN. Our family visited the family often in Allendale, since we lived only about 45 minutes away in Grand Haven. I remember many occasions of playing in their basement, running around outside (trampoline, minibike, etc), playing table games, etc. Also big group meals in the basement and Uncle Bob's famously short prayers since all were very hungry. Steve would've graduated from (probably Allendale public) HS in 1973. At some point before HS graduation Steve was sent to a special Christian school in Asheville, NC called 'Ben Lippen' (means 'Mtn of Trust', fnd'd c1940 by CIU, Columia Intl Univ, led by CEO Robt McQUILKEN, addr? run by JCS's old college friend Bob WEIBER). After a fire in yr? at Ben Lippen it was moved to Columbia, SC (w/extension in FL connected to the Bible School (FL Bible Institute) now famous as the place where a young Billy Graham was convicted by God to become an evangelist, cf Graham.html).

Steve was very unhappy at Ben Lippen, and even ran away from the campus for 2 weeks, walking into the woods and living with a 'hillbilly' family! He remembered they killed a bear with a hammer?! It seems that around that time is when he decided to 'chart his own course'. Back in Allendale, MI, where he later graduated HS, Steve's girlfriend at AHS was Vicki Van LAAR; she was homecoming queen and Steve achieved all-state honors in both football and basketball. After HS graduation in May '73 he spent the summer working in construction (Allendale? GR?). That fall he attended Spring Arbor College (Kalamazoo?) in order to be closer to Vicki, who was attending nearby Hillsdale College. But that fell apart at some point during that school-year, so the following summer ('74) is when he decided to make a fresh start out west. So 19yo Steve and 15yo bro Ben drove out to AZ in Bob's Buick, which he'd given to Steve. Ben went along to help with the driving. Ben relates that it was quite an adventure. They stopped at gpa BENEDICT's ranch near Lamar, CO w/o having notified them in advance that they were coming. No one was home, but since it was evening they let themselves in thru a window. Next morning, gpa still hadn't returned so they decided to make b'fast and wait awhile. Steve pulled open the fridge door and several eggs fell out and smashed onto the floor, the yokes rolling back under the fridge! They had to move the fridge to clean up the mess. As they did a pesky fly was annoying Steve as he washed the dishes, and when he snapped his hand out to swat it, his finger caught the curtain and tore it off the rod. That's when they decided they'd caused enough mayhem and left gpa the banana bread Lois had made for the trip as a gesture of contrition. Before leaving, tho, they decided to take a quick dip in the pond on the property v. messing up the bathroom. Unfortunately, the pond had changed since they were kids and was now just a cow drinking hole w/lots of mud and dung in it. Finally, the car got stuck in the mud on the way out 'of course' and they 'had the devil of a time' getting it out to the main road. They later learned that gpa was in TX and didn't return for a month or so, meaning the bread would be covered w/green mold! :-( Not so nice at the time but hopefully they all laughed about it later (incl. gpa).

Steve flourished in Phoenix area, attending Bill/Grace THRALL's Open Door Fellowship (link, I believe Steve, Sue and Ben appear in their 30-minute 'story' video) and making lots of friends. He lived in a house with 3 other guys, and often went camping. He was studying psychology (at ASU?) and wanted to earn a PhD and get into counseling. He was dating Erin ? (from ODF?) when he passed away. Not sure where he worked, but apparently odd jobs? He kept his Christian faith, staying active with ODF and Bible study, often outdoors while camping. By this time he had a 'tough' look i.e. big muscles, facial hair, long shoulder-length hair ... 'hippie' clothes w/70s style. I'd like to find a HS grad pic or later showing how his appearance chg'd from my current pics ...

In 1975 Steve intervened in the counseling with Dr ? SOLOMON that Bob/Lois had gotten Susan involved with. Later that year Sue moved to AZ (Steve urged her to come) and remained there til her d. in Tempe 1982. On that fateful night in Jan 1977 Steve had been camping alone in the mountains [Superstitions E of Tempe?] and apparently became too cold. So, best we could tell, he went to his car, took off a hubcap, filled it with charcoal, and attempted to create a warm space in the car to get some sleep. He was found later [after sunrise?] by the park rangers, with the driver's side window slightly open and dead from asphyxiation, an apparent accident. Not sure if there was a service (AZ/MI?), but he was buried at the small cemetery near Allendale (cf below). A very shocking end to a vibrant and dynamic life.

Steve's addresses:
- remote mission place? (or nearby hospital, '55-62)
- Faith Orphanage ('Chr Home for Children'), 1880 S Cascade Ave, CO Spgs, CO ('62-6)
- 5932 Countryview, Allendale, MI 49401 ('66-73)
- Ben Lippen School near Asheville, NC (Fall '73 or ?)
- Spring Arbor College, Kalamazoo?, MI (Spg '74 or ?)
- ... drives w/Ben to AZ summer '74? ... 1st addr Tempe? ... other addr's? ('74-7)

Source: Family papers and memories

w/G/G in Denver early '60s

Co Spgs early '60s

70s pics in Grand Haven, MI

* * * Anyone have HS grad or later pics of Steve? * * *

Sue and Steve's graves side-by-side

taken Fr 10-4-19 Allendale Cemetery, N of M-45 on W side of 60th Av just N of Warren
(12655 60th Av), plat 599 i.e. drive in S entrance, past middle road to SW corner