Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Stephen Press Obituary
May 17, 1950 - Jan. 21, 2021
With sorrow we share that Stephen Edward Press, 70, passed away unexpectedly at his Portland home Jan. 21, 2021. He leaves a devoted family and too many friends to count.
Stephen's full life began in Hampton, Va. The youngest son of Harry and Sylvia Press, he and his brother, Dennis, had an idyllic childhood in the suburbs of the nation's capitol.
After high school, Stephen began his higher education at Clark University. From there he transferred to UC Berkeley where he met Linda Hughes, who captured his heart. For the next 50 years they built on that love, crafting a remarkable and enduring marriage.
After earning his Bachelor's from UC Berkeley and a teaching certificate from Chico State, Stephen and Linda moved to Oregon for a teaching position in Redmond. They bought and refurbished a small farm and welcomed a daughter, Sara.
Soon thereafter Stephen and family moved to Portland to further his education and career in electronic engineering. He received a Masters Degree from Oregon State University and spent the last two decades of his career at Maxim designing integrated circuits.
Stephen retired in his early 50s with a desire to travel. He and Linda traveled extensively for the past 15 years. Their last overseas adventure was a road trip in New Zealand in early 2020.
Stephen was a man of many talents, happiest when he was building something. The Press home is furnished with his exquisite wood pieces. He plied the waters of the Northwest in his hand built cedar strip Kayak that turned heads and started conversations wherever he paddled.
The fullness of Stephen's life was defined by the relationships that he kept strong. He was a dependable and generous brother and friend. His most treasured roles were as Linda's husband and Sara's father. Stephen is survived by his wife, Linda; daughter, Sara; brother, Dennis (Deena); nephew, Josh; and niece, Amber Franklin (Aaron).
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to SMART Reading, The Forest Park Conservancy, or a charity of your choice.
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jeff Williams
November 14, 2023
I worked with Steve at Maxim. He was a great guy, super smart, and generous with his time. He never had a discouraging word for anyone. My he rest in peace and his family find some solace and comfort from the admiration that his peers placed upon him.
Louise Jones
February 8, 2021
Ben and I so enjoyed Stephen - our neighbor and book group member.
What a lovely, talented fellow.
Louise Jones
Jon Davidson
February 6, 2021
A life well lived. Ordinary, but somehow elusive. As ordinary as the sunrise, or a birthday, or the last stroke of sandpaper across the finished product. Ordinary and yet worthy of note; indeed worthy of celebration.
We all basked in Stephen’s life well lived. What a blessing for us as friends to have been the recipients of Stephen’s generous good nature. But, let’s not stop at recounting our own benefit. Let’s look a little more closely and see Stephen’s unfailing loyalty to Harry and Sylvia, his utter devotion to Sara, and his profound commitment to Linda. These are the signposts of a life well lived. All very ordinary, accomplished in Stephen’s very extra-ordinary way.
All of us aspire toward a life well lived. Stephen made it. He carried the water past the finish line spilling only a few drops. We thank you, good friend, for showing us the way. May you continue your journey in peace, and may you know you will be in our hearts as often as the sunrise.
How you can show support
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Ruth Herbert
February 4, 2021
I met Linda and Stephen early 1980. Being a newcomer to Central Oregon, I was so fortunate to have those two take me under their wings and to remain a central part of my friendship circle to this day.
Stephen always did it right...from health habits, (I mean who really follows doctor's orders to stretch every day?) to building amazing furniture and boats, to knowing when a pal needs a bit of cheer, to a perfectly annoying hum as he worked.
Thankfully, he lived life to the absolute fullest, but darn it seems too soon to have it end. Buddy, I just need one more chance to finally beat you at cribbage.
You contributed so much to our lives; you will be sorely missed.
Dawn, Ken, Ava & Aidan
February 3, 2021
From the day we were introduced to them, Stephen and Linda always offered our family a warm welcome, friendship and kindness. As is true of Linda, Stephen had a way with kids, and our kids, Ava and Aidan, benefitted greatly from their attention and affection. We were reminiscing the other day about fond memories. I thought of the "blueberry incident" in Joseph, OR, when Aidan, still a toddler, ate copious amounts of berries –with expected consequences (!) – simply because it was so delightful to have Stephen feed them to him. Ava recalled the singsong melody of Stephen's deep voice when he'd greet us upon our return to the US every summer: "Hiiii, Avaaaa!" Ken and I recalled the many hours he put into expertly retiling our entryway in Multnomah. We will miss Stephen's gentle humor, wry wit and sharp mind. Our hearts go out to Linda and Sara, and the other family members he leaves behind.
Dawn, Ken, Ava & Aidan
Joe Engert
February 1, 2021
What a wonderful man. He was easy to talk to and a great engineer. He helped me in many ways, both personally and professionally. He will be sorely missed.
Jon and Merrie Ziady
January 31, 2021
Jon and I met Stephen and Linda in a Spanish class 12 or 13 years ago - hit it off immediately and have enjoyed their friendship ever since. Trips to the Sisters Folk Festival, beach gatherings, birthday dinners and this last year numerous masked, socially distanced chats in our front yards. Stephen’s joie de vivre, his wit, his upbeat attitude during darker times helped us stay sane!
His unexpected death was a shock - we will miss him terribly, but we have many good memories.
Judy and Richard Amster
January 31, 2021
So sad, too soon, but what wonderful memories.
Scott Williams
January 30, 2021
I worked with Steve at Maxim. He was a great Design engineer with a calming influence. These were good traits to have, working for a high tech Silicon Valley company like Maxim! Schedules were paramount and the designs were demanding. I think Steve's crowning achievement might have been leading a team of designers to introduce a new, never been done before, digital radio receiver integrated circuit (IC) for the Japanese market. The schedule was ridiculously tight, but Steve managed to corral the engineers and design a large piece of it himself. He actually introduced the IC ahead of schedule and it was a huge success for our Design group and the company.
Steve was also a part of the Monday, Wednesday, Friday lunchtime running crew. In fact he was most often the one to push us out the door. Always a good time to blow off steam and reset our sanity. I miss those times greatly.
I'm so glad Steve was able to retire super early and spend precious time with Linda and Sara. That is a truly a blessing. And I'm thankful God blessed us with Steve, an amazing human being.
David Inman
January 29, 2021
He was ten years my senior as an engineer, knew more than me, respected what I did know, and was kind. When he came to me with a problem I may have caused, he was gracious and helpful. He was happy more than usual. I remember his deep voice that could be heard around the office and one that I will miss. He was a wonderful human being.
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results
Make a Donation
in Stephen Press's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
How to support Stephen's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Stephen Press's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
