Dr. Stephen Thomas Hufford

Steve Hufford, a resident of San Francisco for twenty three years and a well-known physician died unexpectedly at the age of 54 on November 6, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. Steve was an incredibly kind and generous person who attracted people to him. We would like to share some aspects of his life. Steve grew up in Reseda, California, the son of Marilyn and Harry Hufford and the younger brother of Gary. Steve had wonderful memories of trips to Sequoia National Park and Hawaii with his family while growing up. During his childhood he developed a lifelong love for trains, turtles, pelicans and sequoia trees (from visits to his grandparent's house in Big Basin). Steve attended Calvert Elementary School, Sequoia Middle School and Reseda High School. Steve went on to Stanford University where he majored in Biology (while completing requirements for the premed program) and became a member of SAE. Steve particularly loved the history classes at Stanford and enjoyed learning about the California Gold Rush. Steve and Gretchen were housed in the same freshman dorm complex and became good friends during their years at Stanford. Steve was very spontaneous and outings with Steve were always an adventure. Steve started USC Medical School in 1979. For Christmas 1979 he visited Europe for the first time, meeting up with Gretchen to explore Rome, Venice, Florence, Salzburg and Paris. Steve and Gretchen got engaged several years later during a cross country ski trip in Montezuma, Colorado. Steve graduated from Medical School in1983 and continued his fellowship training in Hematology and Oncology at USC. Steve and Gretchen were married on Sept 16, 1984 in Littleton, Colorado and honeymooned in Vail, Colorado. After finishing his fellowship at USC in 1989, Steve joined the San Francisco practice of Wallerstein, Bohannon and Cohen. Steve was at Game 3 of the 1989 World Series when the earthquake struck Northern California on October 17, 1989. He later became an avid Giants fan. Steve's two happiest days were when his daughters, Justine and Kendall, were born. He loved spending time with them and nurturing their interests. Most of all he wanted to teach them to enjoy life and to make the most of every day. The family shared many fun adventures to Tahoe,Yosemite, Hawaii, various US cities and Europe. On these trips Steve shared his passions for history (WWII, the Civil War and ancient Rome). Steve was a descendent of a Titanic victim and the family vacation in 2004 was spent retracing Steve's Irish roots in an area north of Galway. Steve savored every moment and loved taking on new challenges. His interests over the years included astronomy, banjo, ukelele, bicycling, gourmet cooking, wine-making and orchids. Steve spent years learning to play the piano and accompanied Kendall in duets at her elementary school recitals (he was the only adult to play). In the last two years, golf had become a passion and Steve was honored to get a volunteer position at the 2012 US Open at the Olympic Club. Steve especially valued hearing the life stories of his patients and sharing stories about his family with them. During his career, Steve served on various medical committees and boards. When he passed away, he was Chief of Oncology at CPMC. Steve battled his pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor - undergoing a complicated surgery and participating in a clinical trial. During the three and a half years following his diagnosis, Steve practiced the philosophy he preached to his patients and embraced each day. Steve leaves behind his devoted wife of 28 years, Gretchen Frantz, his daughters, Kendall (14) and Justine (21), as well as Fergie, the dachshund, Odette, the parrot, Speed and Lava, the turtles, and the ten unnamed coi fish. Missing him also are his father Harry (Jan), brother Gary (Pat), brother-in-law Kurt Frantz (Kim), mother-in-law, Janis Manley (Jim), nephews and niece, Jeff, Kevin, Bryan and Albert Frantz and Mallory Frantz, cousins David Base (Margaret), Steve Base, Paula Base and Tom Base and aunt, Gwen McDaniel. Steve was predeceased by his mother, Marilyn (in October, 2012), his uncle and aunt, Joe Base and Helen Base