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STEVEN YEATS Obituary
Steven A. Yeats, deceased January 4th, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida, was born to his parents Raymond N. and Marilyn D. Yeats in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was quickly followed by his two beloved sisters, Cathy E. and Lisa A. Yeats. Obliged to move from place to place due to Raymond's work, the Yeats family withstood the constant change by becoming exceptionally tight-knit. They eventually returned to Cincinnati where Steven and his sisters attended Anderson High School. In his young life, Steven enjoyed spending time with family and especially loved hunting, fishing, boating, and working on cars with his father.
After graduating high school in 1973, he left home to study Civil Engineering at Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana. After graduating from Purdue, Steven attended the University of California at Berkley in pursuance of his Master's degree in Environmental Engineering, specializing in water treatment plant design. Steven was an exceptionally serious and diligent student. He dedicated himself to learning the fundamentals of math, science, and engineering and became an expert in his specialty. During his college career, Steven formed close ties with his Purdue roommate Paul, who would become another lifelong friend. Years later, after acquiring Master's Degrees and working for a time, the two friends would embark on an epic 14-month journey through Europe on bicycle. His family and friends back home would all benefit from the many stories and photos that returned with Steven from that trip.
In California, Steve found more great friends in Eric and Betty, with whom he boated, dived, camped and hiked all over the state. Steven loved California, but his work designing water treatment plants brought him to Gainesville in 1985, where he has remained since. He has worked as a licensed professional engineer at Jones Edmunds and Associates consulting firm for over 25 years. In 1987 he joined a recreational softball team, through which he met his future wife, Carol. They married in 1992 and later had two children, Ellen in 1995 and Eric in 1997. Steven was an excellent and loving father, and he instilled in his children an appreciation for the outdoors, good principles, and a love of learning. Over the course of their childhood, Ellen and Eric got to go on endless outdoor adventures with their Dad. Most notably, Steven brought his family to the Florida Keys every summer to enjoy diving, fishing, and camping there together. He also educated his children in how to be good neighbors and citizens through his constant example of service to those around him. He always emphasized the value of learning to his kids, and anyone he talked to knew he was especially proud of their academic accomplishments. He is survived by his two kids, his wife, his mother Marilyn, his two sisters Lisa and Cathy and many nieces, nephews, and cousins from all over the country.
The memorial for Steven will take place at Holy Faith Catholic Church at 9:30 AM on Thursday, January 11th 2018. All are welcome to join us in celebrating our dear Steve's life and legacy.
Services are in the care of MILAM FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES, 311 South Main Street Gainesville, FL 32601.
[email protected] (352) 376-5361 http://milamfh.com/
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for STEVEN YEATS
Kathy
January 3, 2022
Remembering Steve with great fondness and thinking of his family on this difficult day.
Ken Martin
September 27, 2018
My sympathies go out to the Yeats family. I knew steve in high school. He had spirit and a quick smile.He made a lasting impression on all who knew him. It sounds like this followed him through his life. I am proud to have called him friend......
Andrew Phelps
March 1, 2018
Steve and I worked together in San Francisco in the late 70's for Bechtel. He and I were both newly graduated engineers working on the Limerick Nuclear Generating Station. We became good friends, but work took us in different directions - me for most of my career overseas and Steve to various projects in the US. Steve was a groomsman for both my wedding and my brother's wedding.
We have recently returned from living in Chile and in going through old files this morning, I found a Gainesville address for Steve and googled him only to hear of his passing in January. I am saddened to hear of his passing as now that we are retired it would have been a great chance to catch up.
Steve was always helpful to me - as new engineers there were many things we did not know and needed help on. Steve had a real passion for environmental engineering. A funny story on Steve - he flew out to Chicago with my parents to my brother's wedding in my dad's light plane. Steve pointed out every water treatment plant on the way and described the unit processes and asked frequently for my dad to circle the plant so he could get a better look. My parents were eager to get to the wedding and not spend so much fuel on circling treatment plants - my dad on a fueling stop cut the mike on Steve's com set so he couldn't hear him.
Barbara and I extend our sincere condolences to the Yeats family - Steve was a great person.
Mark Shaeffer
February 22, 2018
I too want to extend my condolences to the Yeats family. I only recently learned of this from a former colleague at JEA. I had the privilege to work with Steve and more so, the honor to call him a friend. He was one of the more gifted engineers I have encountered in my career. As a colleague, he shared his knowledge readily in helping me and others. As a friend, he always spoke with such pride and happiness of his family. His keen mind, dry wit and honorable character were so endearing.
Linda Cormack
January 29, 2018
Carol, Ellen, and Eric,
My heart breaks for you! Steve was a wonderful person, and way too young. May you find comfort through our faith in knowing you will all be together in heaven one day. So sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kiera Fitzgerald
January 15, 2018
Carol,Ellen and Eric,
As many are, I am at a loss as to how to console you after such a sudden loss. Steve will be missed by so many people. He touched so many lives, but none as much as yours. Unfortunately, I can say I truly understand what you are going through right now. And I can offer a bit of hope that with time you will be able to focus on the good memories you had and that they will bring you some comfort. I wish I could have joined you for the service but I was out of the country. My prayers are with you and all of your family.
Buck Osteen
January 15, 2018
Dear Yeats Family,
Sorry to hear of your loss. I was very surprised and shocked to hear this news. I worked with Steve for several years and he was always very helpful and knowledgeable.
Rebecca Rodriguez
January 15, 2018
Dear Yeats Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Steve years ago at Jones Edmunds. Not only was he an excellent engineer, but he was willing to take the time to share his experiences with junior staff. He was also a very kind and caring person with a delightful sense of humor. I recall him staying late with me to help fix something on my car - he was not going to leave until he knew I had a safe way home! He was so proud of Ellen and Eric and I hope you are all comforted knowing how positive his influence was on the world.
David O'Connor
January 15, 2018
To all the Yeats family, I am so sorry for your loss. I got to know Steve over the past 14 years through teaming of the two engineering firms we worked for. Steve was one of the "good ones", one of the kindest men I've ever known. When I hadn't even known Steve long and I had a loss in my own family, Steve sent flowers and a card to my house. I'll never forget that. I was lucky to have known him! prayers for all the family. God bless.
Ted Belser
January 14, 2018
I only learned of Steve's untimely death today at church. We worked together at CH2M HILL many years ago, and after we both left there I would see him often at ASCE meetings. He and I talked a few months ago about the untimely death of another friend and colleague who had died in a freak bike accident. We talked again a few weeks ago about the use of Ozone for color removal in potable water, and he shared some information with me on the topic. He was a really good guy and well respected in our consulting community. To his wife and children - I am so sorry to hear of your loss. As a Christian I believe that his spirit lives on and that you will be reunited one day. May God bless you during this difficult time.
Linda Shaw
January 13, 2018
Carol, Eric and Ellen - Andre just heard about Steve's passing and we are both shocked and saddened. We have many great memories of him on our Cub Scout outings. He was great with the kids and just a wonderful guy. We're so sorry for your loss. Eric, I know you know how lucky you are to have had such a great Dad! Our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.
Clay Sykes
January 12, 2018
Dear Yeats family,
My heart goes out to you in this time of loss. Steve was such an exemplary person on so many levels. I always thought of him like an older brother, although he was gifted with much, much more patience than my actual brothers. We reconnected a couple of years ago on a joint venture project, and frankly Steve spent a lot of time talking w tremendous pride about each of you. He was so proud of his wife and children. Steve was just an outstanding human being.
God strengthen and bless each of you.
With deepest sympathy,
Clay Sykes/Brevard, NC
Jim Berg
January 11, 2018
Dear Yeats Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I consider Steve a true friend and will miss him. We have been talking about hunting birds for a few years and never made that work, that will always be a regret for me. I didn't know Steve for a long time but the moment I met him I knew that he was a really good guy. What I love about Steve is that he cares for kids, not just his kids but all kids. We had numerous discussions about our kids, I know how proud that he is of Eric and Ellen, he always sacrificed but it was so worth it to him. I am very proud to know Eric and what a really nice man he has become, He was just a freshman in high school when I met him, so respectful and mature for his age just amazing and impressive; a reflection of Steve no doubt I could never help but to be impressed. Steve always had great advice for me when my kids were ready for college and every time we happened to cross paths he was quick to ask how my two were doing. Most important and impressive about Steve, he had a love for all kids he was really involved in lacrosse, where we met, although he was really busy at the time he was easy to talk into helping, I was always so thankful for his help, a voice of reason. Steve was always concerned about kids who couldn't afford to play the sport and was tireless when it came to raising money to support those in need.
I will miss Steve, he is and always will be a friend.
God bless.
January 11, 2018
Dear Carol, Ellen, and Eric,
I am so sorry for your loss. Steve was kind and had a generous spirit. I enjoyed volunteering with him on lacrosse boosters and getting to know him during the years that Eric and Jonathan were at EHS. He was devoted to his family and his community.
He will be missed. Blessings, Patricia, Robert, Anna, and Jonathan Jacobs
Bruce Van Buren
January 9, 2018
Carol, Adelaide and I are devastated. Steve was probably the best friend I ever had. We had many great years in Gainesville. Sharing the ski boat on Lake Santa Fe was the best. It enabled us to spend a lot of time together. When we weren't skiing we relaxed at his place learning about good wine and music or played "drink ball" in our pool. We will always remember Friday night Chinese dinner out. We also played softball. That was about when Carol joined our "Gainesville family". We had to relocate to California, but we came back with cases of wine for the wedding. Life separated us, but you and he were in our thoughts. We are praying for you and your family.
Lyle Roscoe
January 9, 2018
Extremely sad to hear of Steve's passing. I was blessed to be able to work with him, & know him as a friend.
He was a great mentor & taught me so much about not only the wastewater industry, but life as well. I will miss his sense of humor, his stories, & time we spent fishing together. My thoughts are with Carol, Ellen & Eric during this very difficult time.
Ed Regan
January 9, 2018
Carol, Ellen, Eric-
Carol - I remember the time we spent together at GRU as being both technically sweet and fun. Steve was a very smart and ethical guy who certainly knew how to work and play hard! He liked to talk about his wife and kids doings, and discuss ideas and technologies over lunch over the intervening years.
My wife and I were shocked and devastated to hear of his passing. Steve was one of those "beautiful and nobel" people that I feel blessed to have spent a little time with.
I am sorry for your troubles. You are all in my prayers.
Kyungnan Min
January 9, 2018
I am greatly saddened by the loss of Steve. I was very fortunate to work him for five and a half years in the past. He is an engineer respected by all co-workers. He taught me how to be a good engineer as well as how to take care of family. His office wall was full of his family photos. He is always proud of Ellen and Eric. My prayers and thoughts are with his family.
Lewis and Lizzy Bobbitt
January 9, 2018
Carol,
So many good memories of softball, the keys, etc. Know that you, Ellen and Eric are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Lewis and Lizzy
Leila Goodwin
January 9, 2018
I have so many good memories of times spent with Steve and others at CH2M when we were all new arrivals in Gainesville in the late 80s. When he moved from CA, he brought wine instead of furniture and we enjoyed that wine and great conversations with him on many evenings while sitting on the floor at his house. Steve Goodwin and I saw and caught up with Steve when we were in Gainesville in July and he spent most of the time telling us, proudly, about Ellen and Eric. Carol, Ellen, Eric and family - our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ken Osfield
January 9, 2018
Carol, Ellen, Eric and family, my prayers go out to you all. I will always remember Steve as someone that loved life.
The Donskys
January 9, 2018
Dear Carol, Ellen and Eric,
We are very sorry to hear about Steve. He was a wonderful neighbor, friend, parent, booster club member, scout, always there to help with a smile. And fun to talk to, knew so many things, so intelligent. And he was so proud of Ellen and Eric, rightfully so!
Love always, Jennifer, Mike, Paul and Ken
Monique Tanner (Grenier)
January 8, 2018
Dearest Carol, Ellen and Eric,
We are so sorry for your loss. May the memories of Steve be in your hearts always; and may the memories bring you peace.
The Roman Catholic Faith reminds us that Life hasn't ended, it has just changed.
Love,
Monique & Barry Tanner
Bob Forbes
January 8, 2018
I have good memories of working and playing with Steve as engineering colleagues at CH2M HILL's Gainesville office in the 1980's. He was a good man who left us too soon. Deepest sympathies to Carol, Ellen, and Eric.
January 8, 2018
Gone too soon. A great guy and fun to work with and share travel notes. A very accomplished engineer who improved the quality of life for so many. Sympathy to his family. Kathy Caldwell
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