Steve Dieckhoff

At the end of last year I had the honor of climbing next to Steve on a few routes on Whale's Tail in Eldo. Super friendly guy, a real inspiring man to me (a beginner).

Does anyone know how he is doing? Any update on his health? How I could contact him?

Thanks

I wanted to bump this thread because I am also interested in how Steve is doing. Anybody?

It is very sad to hear this. Steve was a fixture in this community, and he will be greatly missed.

Matt, Will there be a public service, and, if so, do you have any details?

Sad news to hear. I never met Steve but was aware of who he was and what caliber of climber he was. Whenever I think of bold runout climbing in Eldo, Steve always comes to mind. I remember the issue of Climbing from back in 2001 that featured bold climbs in Eldo with a picture of him runout on the "Interceptor". That was such an amazing angle caught on film.

Here's another good shot of Steve on Inner Space.

I went to Steve's benefit at The Spot a while back and finally got to see what he looked like. My friend had bought me "Serious Play" when I told him I was moving to Colorado back in 2003. I love that book. Steve's detailed route descriptions with his water color illustrations made touring the Front Range moderates a pure joy. Later I saw some of his biting cartoons in Climbing magazine. He had some t-shirts of the same images at the benefit. The character in shorts shouting "Me, me, me!" and pointing to routes with dozens of bolts just made me smile. I knew Steve was a die-hard traddie.

I'd love to get together with more of Steve's friends and family to learn more about him when the time comes. Condolences to everyone.

RIP

His cartoons in the climbing mags were some of the funniest/wittiest I have seen regarding climbing. It was also very admirable to see his passion on the anti-bolting stance.

A sad loss. My thoughts go out to all who are close to Steve.

That's really very sad. I'm sorry to hear that.

In every climbing community there are individuals who by their contributions, help shape and make that community more interesting, vibrant and just better. Steve was the kind of guy who did that.
You might not always agree with his very strict views of climbing style or ethics but there's no denying that our Boulder climbing community was better for having someone like Steve around to contribute his art, his routes and his vision of climbing. I enjoyed seeing him on the rock in Eldorado. He always seemed to be enjoying himself so much. He'll be greatly missed and never replaced. RIP.

So sad . . . climb on Steve . . . I know I can speak for many when I say we will not forget you and all that you've done . . .

Wayne

Steve was a climber with a real sense of integrity. While we may have differed on some aspects of climbing style, I always had a real respect for his approach to climbing and art. I will miss him.

I was fortunate enough to climb next to Steve on Whale's Tail back in November. He was there with a friend and I sensed it was his 'last climb'. He was kind enough to take photos of me climbing while he led up next to me.

He had told me then that he had decided to stop his chem-o so he'd have the energy to get out and do what he loved. It was a bright sunny day in Eldo and he was out doing what really mattered..

Wow. So sad. I give my condolences to all his family, close friends and to the larger community that he has impacted. The sincere integrity that he demonstrated in his climbing style is certainly commendable and will be remembered.

Thank you Steve. Paz con usted.

I too was at his benefit at the Spot, met him & some really great supporters & friends. Great guy, sad news...

deepest condolences to all

I first heard of Steve when I was looking at a book called "Serious Play" that was on sale for $5 in a climbing shop in Flagstaff, AZ. I was out there to see a friend, even though I was from Boulder, CO at the time. That book became a vehicle for me to begin my Trad career, and I will never forget the style with which it was written. I can only imagine what kind of person Steve was. If his writing could influence me, surely he had so much more to offer. Thank you for giving us the benefit of the doubt Steve. Your efforts reached many people.

Steve actually wrote an article last fall for Natural Solutions health magazine on his fight with cancer. He talks about how his years of climbing helped him endure the treatments and how it changed his outlook on dying. You can read it at:
naturalsolutionsmag.com/ind…

That is a great story...really enjoyed it.

Kristin Bjornsen wrote:Steve actually wrote an article last fall for Natural Solutions health magazine on his fight with cancer. He talks about how his years of climbing helped him endure the treatments and how it changed his outlook on dying. You can read it at: naturalsolutionsmag.com/ind…

Steve had some time to mull over his final requests. One of these was regarding a memorial service. He requested that his friends hold a “traditional ‘climber death’ gathering in Eldorado State Park on the first convenient warm Sunday.”

This event is to be on the 6th April, 5 pm, at the picnic area near the visitor center.

All are welcome.

What exactly is a traditional climber death gathering?

Well, Steve has left us, but there remain the usual great memories and stories.

And the artwork; beautiful paintings, capturing the best of his favorite places. The wonderful paintings he left us are a reflection of a creative and observant intelligence. An intelligence that, in advocating a traditional approach to climbing could be combative and demanding at times. But an intelligence that understood that the essence of climbing is that the more serious the effort and risk, the bigger the reward.

A life and legacy worth celebrating.

Plans for this event include readings of a few of his written pieces, and an invitation for anyone to tell stories about Steve.

Also, as the light fades, showings of some of his slide collection, which includes many climbing slides, but also portraits, landscapes and many slides of his own artwork.

There will be beer provided.

Please bring your own food items.

Thanks,
Crusher

Bump to keep this visible.

Very cool link. Would have been nice to have known him.

Crusher -

Is this memorial still on for Sunday? Let's keep this thread alive so folks out there get a chance to see it.

Ray