Stephen Gibel Blechman

Stephen Gibel Blechman - aka Santa Rosa Steve, the Big Kahuna, Big Daddy, Karim, Big Grandpa - flew out of his body in the wee hours of June 2, 2024 due to advanced heart failure. "I had a great life." One sister, two wives, two sons ("I breed musicians"), two grandsons, one nephew, and many friends and dogs orbited around this big-hearted man throughout his life.

Born 3/1/48 in Manhattan, NY, Steve grew up in Great Neck. He studied Sociology/Anthropology at Lake Forest College in Chicago and social work at Iowa State in Ames, Iowa. He chose to live in Sonoma County for most of his life, until moving to Portland, OR for the last 16 years to be an active grandpa.



He applied his brilliant mind to create a meaningful life. Success in professional poker, real estate and the stock market allowed him to provide sustenance and a whole lot of fun for himself and his friends and family, as well as support social service charities. He deeply touched many lives by teaching Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in CA and OR prisons and jails for sixteen years as a volunteer. He believed this was his most important work beyond raising his kids.

Camping, concerts and music festivals, reading, movies, games, growing food and flowers, annual trips to Hawaii and Mexico, and dinner with loved ones were how he chose to spend his time and treasure. So many Grateful Dead shows! And Chinese food! And poker! And jokes!

Steve was authentic and lived life his way. He had a great sense of humor and was a great conversationalist. He valued friends and family, dogs, music, beauty, gardening, good food, good jokes, the beach, pot, poker, travel, Sufism, and practicing NVC. Above all, he valued connection with others... "the key to happiness is nourishing life."

Predeceased by parents, Fela Gibel and Morton Blechman, sister Helen Glennon, and first wife Constance Coughlan. Survived (and greatly missed by) wife, Mary Hansel, sons Benjamin and Nicholas Blechman, daughters-in-law Sarah Hart and Raquel Blechman, grandsons Asher Hart-Blechman and Caetano Blechman, and nephew Michael Glennon.

A memorial will be held at Ives Park in Sebastopol, CA on October 12, 2024, 1:00-4:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the International Rescue Organization: https://help.rescue.org/donate/make-tribute-donation .