Stephen Albert Harris

1945 - 2018

March 28, 1945 - May 26, 2018 Stephen Harris, surrounded by his family, passed away at 73. Steve passed peacefully at his home in Los Angeles of complications related to cancer, said his wife Susan. Married for 52 years, Stephen Harris, a real estate entrepreneur, was well known for his innovative combination of for-profit real estate experience to innovate supporting non-profit and public service initiatives, causes and organizations. He was born Stephen Albert Harris, on March 28, 1945 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the younger of two children of Larry and Ruth (Stern) Harris. The Harris' moved to Sacramento, California, when Steve was young, and ultimately settled in Los Angeles, California. There he met Susan Rappaport while attending University High School – someone stealing someone else's sandwiches from their locker. They married on May 27, 1966 for 52 years until Steve's passing. Steve's career in real estate and environmental non-profits spanned decades, starting with attending Santa Monica City College and California State University, Northridge. He served as a reservist in the Marine Corps '65 – '71, speaking often to his children of the lessons he learned in the Corps, the friendships he made, and his appreciation for service to his country. Steve's career is real estate spanned commercial projects in Downtown Los Angeles to residential projects across the Los Angeles basin. He partnered with his father-in-law, Herman Rappaport for decades, focusing on residential housing including custom homes, affordable housing communities, and large scale residential community developments. Most notable in Steve's life was his service to his community. Over four decades, Steve served multiple community and non-profit organizations including the California Council of Land Trusts (founder), Mountains Restoration Trust, City of Calabasas, Northridge Chamber of Commerce, the California Mountain Lion Foundation and Friends of Oakridge. He helped preserve thousands of acres of land in the Santa Monica Mountains, consulted on the authoring of numerous California laws and grants to support the preservation of open space in California as well as state parks and recreation areas, and served as an advisor to California State Senators, assemblypersons, and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. He is remembered by his peers as a great mentor and teacher of civic service. Survived by his wife Susan, his two children Mitchel (Rena) and Bethany (Nate Anderson), and his two grandchildren Michael and Lauren. Steve never missed any of Mitchel's baseball games, Beth's plays or ballet recitals or birthdays and anniversaries – especially Susan's. His love and dedication to his wife Susan was pure and unwavering. He loved to debate (aggravatingly just to debate and spar with his quick wit), to cook, was thoughtful, considerate, humorous and bound by what was the right thing to do. We treasure and do Steve great honor in living his example. Memorial service will be held at: Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills, 10:00am, June 24, 2018. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Friends of Oakridge, PO Box 3973, Chatsworth, CA 91311.