Steven Lamarr Quam

Steven Lamarr Quam (Steve) lived a full and exciting life before peacefully passing away in South Carolina on March 20, 2026, at the age of 80.
Born in Bloomington, Minnesota on February 19, 1946 to Burton Lamaire Quam and Edith Grace Quam, he is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jeanne, his son, Mikkel (Vivian Gay), and his brother, Dave (Joyce). Steve is also survived by many cousins, in-laws, nieces, and nephews, including Keo James, whom Steve was extraordinarily blessed to have as a caretaker during the final months of his life. Steve was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Patricia and Eileen.
After graduating from the University of Miami, Steve pursued a career as a music therapist-board certified in several states. In 2023, he received a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from his professional organization to honor his vision, dedication, and commitment over five decades. For much of his career, Steve primarily served mentally ill clients, who were also deaf or deaf-blind, leading him to embrace American Sign Language. Though devoted to this professional niche, he often shared an intent to take a “little vacation,” once semi-retired.
Following his diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease in 2008, Steve learned that the Davis Phinney Foundation For Parkinson’s (DPF) -- established by a former professional bicyclist he'd long admired -- was well-aligned with his personal goals. Ever persistent and tenacious, but with new urgency, Steve set out to realize his dreams of bicycling across the country and motorcycling to Alaska. In 2010, Steve bicycled for the first of three coast-to-coast solo rides. Transcending mere recreational motivations, his rides were awareness campaigns for "living well with Parkinson’s", lasting over 4,000 miles each. Active within the national and local support communities, he also became among the first DPF Ambassadors and mentored within Anderson University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Outside of work, Steve delighted in sharing water-, snow-, and motorsports with friends and family, in addition to cycling. He was an active member of numerous clubs and groups, never letting obstacles deter his resolve or enjoyment. Playing his dizzying array of woodwind instruments, whether at club gigs, busking downtown, dockside serenades, in fellowship with his church band community, or simply wherever else he found himself while traveling, Steve’s music drew appreciative ears across the nation. Steve was also known for his unapologetic love of puns – humor that was, at times, adorably instrumental in bringing people together.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor may be made to the Davis Phinney Foundation For Parkinson’s (davisphinneyfoundation.org) or Greenville Area Parkinson’s Society (gapsonline.org).
In celebration of Steve’s life, friends and family will gather on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET at St. Matthew United Methodist Church 701 Cleveland Street, Greenville, SC 29601.
The family plans to receive guests following the service, which will be interpreted for the deaf and accommodate virtual/hybrid participation.