Steven Stolz

1944 - 2017

Steven D. Stolz was born in Wahoo, Nebraska to Homer and Geraldine (Yost) Stolz. When he was about 10, he, his parents and brother David moved to Boulder. That began years of exploring the foothills and the mountains, graduating from Fairview High School in 1962 and nearly completing his BA in English from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He got involved in rock climbing, motorcycle riding and his lifelong commitment to left leaning politics. Steve began his work life in the "grounds" department on the CU campus, mostly working with the trees and becoming a self-educated arborist. For many years he planted, trimmed and admired the variety of trees on campus while often introducing new ones. He sometimes transplanted found seedlings that sprouted randomly to appropriate sites to see how they would do. Steve created micro climates for a diversity of native and non-native trees that now constitute a unique arboretum. Always looking for beauty, he found it in trees, architecture, adobe construction, vistas, animals and people. He always noted and remembered the color of people's eyes. He made furniture with only hand tools. He would make the whole piece in his mind's eye over months. Then quickly it was made and it was perfect. Steve was married to Cheryl Boyce. He raised her son, Michael, from age 3 with her until her death in 1992 and by himself after that. Michael was with Steve days before his death. Michael Boyce lives in Jackson Wyoming with his wife, Beverly and daughter, Cora. Steve and Laurie Farmen have been together since 1995 and married in 2000. They lived happily until he died of ALS at home, his loved ones with him; Laurie, brother David Stolz and friends Loren Weinberg, Andrea Montoya, Susan Gerhart and Charlotte Buck. He is also survived by Cheryl's family, mother Jean Whiles, brother Mark Schumann and his wife Chris and daughter Katie. "and in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make". (Lennon - McCartney) Share memories and condolences at cristmortuary.com.