Steve W. Schilling

1946 - 2024

STEPHEN W. SCHILLING

November 28, 1946 February 10, 2024

A very happy and meaningful life, well lived, came to an end on February 10, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. Steve died peacefully after his third battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family. Steve loved being a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. He is survived by Deidre, the love of his life, his children Christina Chiovari (Roy), Mari Burgess (Austin), Sheridan Schilling (15), and John Schilling (14); his grandchildren Sofia Chiovari (10) and Vivienne Burgess (4); his sister Cindy Whaley (Bob) and niece Elaine, as well as numerous cousins. Steve is also survived by Deidre's family; parents Dean and Kim Hoefner, sisters Erica Ryan (Kirk) and Bridget Hoefner (Tyler Hood), nieces Chloe and Ellen Ryan, and nephew Samuel Ryan.

He was born a fifth generation Californian on Thanksgiving Day in San Francisco to parents Bill and Ruth Schilling, both deceased, who had relocated to the Bay Area after the war. His family roots go back to the early days of the state, with ties to Central and Northern California. Prior to that, some of his family can be traced to the Mayflower, the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and the great migration west.

He was raised from birth in Mill Valley, a bucolic rural hamlet in Marin County (at that time a small place), with farms and open space. He grew up doing all the things a boy would do in that place; fishing, camping, building forts, going to the beach and enjoying the opportunities this place afforded. He played all sports until adulthood, he was a Scout, an altar boy at Church, and he enjoyed cool cars! He covered a lot of his expenses by working lots of odd jobs including gas stations, boxing groceries, loading and unloading freight for trucking and railroad companies, growing vegetables, and providing all kinds of landscape services.

Steve attended public and Catholic schools in Mill Valley, graduating from Marin Catholic High School in 1964. He stayed in touch from afar with his many friends from that time, and frequently attended class reunions.

After a two year stint at the College of Marin, Steve transferred to Chico State College (University) and graduated with a BS in Business in 1969. He was a third generation student at Chico, and continued graduate studies there in Public Administration. It was during this period of time that he ignited a strong and enduring interest in politics and public affairs, and began his life-long interest in the pursuit of a wide range of intellectual topics that he would maintain for his lifetime. While at Chico State, Steve pledged to Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, and was an active member for four years, earning an Outstanding Alumni award in 1970. He was a member of the hosting Key Club on campus. His community activities in Chico included time as a member of the Butte County Democratic Central Committee, and President of Chico Democrats and Chico State Young Democrats. He began his long involvement in state-wide political activities, and worked with many political leaders who would go on to important offices around the country. As this was at the height of the Vietnam war, Steve was drafted twice, reported and was deferred both times because of previous sports injuries. He finished his college years without debt, having worked a variety of jobs, including property management, pumping gas, and as a teamster. His academic performance became exemplary, and he maintained a 4.0 GPA in graduate school, much to the delight of his parents!

He was long inspired by JFK's call to public service, feeling that we all need to become the living legacy of Kennedy's bold vision of political action and community service. He endeavored to attain personal courage through sacrifice, and a belief in the common interests of all peoples. To that end, in 1971 he was accepted into the United States Peace Corps, and was assigned as a volunteer to an executive agency of the Venezuelan government, to address the management needs of local governments, stationed in the eastern coastal city of Puerto La Cruz. While a volunteer, he added to his official assignment with work as the YMCA director for the City, the host of a bilingual radio show, and logistical work for the International Caribbean Fair. He was selected by his volunteer peers to represent them with Peace Corps management. He loved his time in-country, made life-long friends, and the experience will always be the toughest job he ever loved. He was offered opportunities to stay, but it was time to head home.

When Steve finished service in 1973, and returned from overseas, he sought to join the army of Peace Corps alumni who continue to serve their fellow Americans through community service. He was hired by Clinica de los Campesinos, soon renamed Clinica Sierra Vista. His first position was in Weedpatch, CA, and later in Bakersfield. As he arrived, Clinica was close to bankruptcy and closure by funding and regulatory officials. He was hired to be the CFO, and a few years later was promoted to their CEO. Through hard work and a great and loyal staff, the program grew, and by creating strong community-wide support, CSV was able to survive and grow, eventually becoming one of the largest, most diverse and clinically skilled health and human service non-profits in the nation. As a FQHC/Community Health Center, CSV provided medical, dental, and mental health services, an accredited graduate education Family Medicine Residency program, and a massive array of health education, substance abuse, nutrition, residential and community development services, and numerous enabling and supportive services. Altogether he spent nearly 45 demanding and incredible years working for the non-profit.

Steve believed that to serve the least and the left behind among us it would require a robust, responsible, responsive and entrepreneurial delivery system. And that is what he and everyone committed to building. From twelve employees to 1200, from a couple hundred thousand dollars a year to over $120,000,000 per year, from one store front to over 70 service locations across three counties in central California, Steve always loved the challenge of the work, and his personal commitment inspired many to join him in that journey. To be successful in this kind of work, one must be willing to fight on occasion for the principles of inclusion, and be adept at innovation when living within a constrained financial system. It also pays to be a bit of a gambler, and Steve would take reasonable risks so that patients would be provided powerful and transformative care.

It was really gratifying for Steve throughout his career to observe positive change within the varied populations and communities, including farmworker communities, rural towns and senior populations, the unhoused and large metropolitan areas with urban poor, and the uninsured. One of the things he was most gratified about was seeing so many young people build their own lives of service on their own journey, both at and beyond CSV. Another was rescuing a good number of individual non-profits, struggling under the immense demands of that world, and bringing their unique talents and focus to the larger family at CSV, both to continue their own service and to blend it in to the larger family. Examples of that include Community Health Centers of Kern County, Ebony Counseling, and the Sequoia Health Foundation in Fresno. The demands of a large non-profit organization, especially within accredited health and professional services, blends so many requirements and competencies that the work for Steve became an opportunity to perform at a high level, and to build a variety of management and collaborative skills.

It also affords one the challenge to build competencies in the world of politics and community affairs, as these endeavors are essential to the business world of health and human service. Over his years of work, Steve also found time to be very active in political affairs, campaigns, and efforts to improve policy. He served as the Chairman of the central committee for over twelve years, during three individual terms; he was a delegate to the National convention, and he won a primary election for a spot on the ballot for the state legislature. He was the Democrat of the Year in Kern County, and he participated actively in many regional, state-wide and national party organizations. He was always willing to help with campaigns and efforts to elect candidates over the years; it was a passion for him.

He also lent his time to a variety of community organizations, focused on health care, sports, community development, education, and community service. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield, nine Chambers of Commerce throughout the region, a member of the Human Relations Commission, the Children's Network, and numerous philanthropic foundations in the Valley. These involvements kept Steve grounded to the needs of these numerous at-risk populations.

During the course of his lifetime, Steve was acknowledged by many groups and organizations. Some of those recognitions included a Key to the City of Bakersfield presented by the Council and Mayor, an Honorary Doctorate from the Trustees of the California State Universities for lifetime extraordinary achievement and excellence, and the Lifetime Achievement in Migrant Health Award from the National Association of Community Health Centers.

In 2018, Steve wrapped up his duties at CSV, and he and his family relocated to Eugene Oregon to enjoy all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Being in his yard gardening was a constant in his life, as he adored trees and plants and could make anything grow. Steve remained active with his children in school activities, sports, fishing, hunting, and traveling. True to form, Steve brought his interest in contributing with him into retirement, and he kept busy with the homeowner's association, high school site council, and other neighborhood associations. There is no easy way to describe how much Steve loved all those he knew, his work through the years, and the challenges of a complete life. He loved that there was never a dull moment.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Steve's many wonderful providers who cared for him over the years; Dr. Benjamin Paz and Dr. Kevin Chen of City of Hope, Dr. James Butrynski of Willamette Valley Cancer Institute, Dr. Jessica Lloyd of Oregon Urology Institute, and Dr. Kevin Modeste of Peace Health Surgical Specialties.

To honor Steve's wishes, no funeral services will be held.

www.bakersfield.com/obits