Stephen Ray Quinnell

Steve and I were runners together on the FWHS track and cross-country teams for three years. I ate his dust and had a great view of his backside every year on the cross-country team. He was a great teammate, always positive, and was very inspirational to the entire team. One of the best long-distance runners in the entire school. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

Those of us who worked with Steve over the years came to have that rock bottom trust that everything we needed to do our field work would be on hand, and in an incredibly well-organized manner. Steve was a skilled and careful boat operator, and I always felt safe and secure and well-taken care of when he was at the helm. I especially respected his ability to design and build equipment/devices/contraptions for a very specific purpose. He loved to do that kind of work and it was true genius, and a joy to watch what he would come up with perform a particular function or to solve a particular mechanical problem. He just took care of everything; I thoroughly and always enjoyed working with him since our days at the College of Fisheries in the late '70's, especially our most recent long and productive stint on tracking tagged English sole in Eagle Harbor. He is really a guy who will be greatly missed for his hard and dedicated work investigating and protecting the natural resources of the Puget Sound region, his care and attention to detail, and even for the spirited political and social discussions we have all had with him. Steve is a perfect example of the person you could have spirited disagreements with at some levels, and still care for and even love for the truly good person that he was. The reality that none of us will be able to work or spar with him anymore just hit me, and leaves me with many dear memories of Steve, and much sadness.

Unfortunately because of work commitments, I was unable to attend Steve's memorial service on Monday, but I wanted to pass on my condolences and fond memories of Steve and our times together to his family, friends, and coworkers. Steve and his good-natured personality and strong work ethic will not be forgotten by me, ever.

Mark Myers
NOAA Fisheries

I worked closely with Steve for 20 years. He was a kind, loyal, and dedicated worker, and loved working for WDFW to help protect and restore Puget Sound. Steve's devotion to his family and his faith have always inspired me and will continue to do so.

Steve was gracious and took me on a boat trip to check on the health of herring in the Sound. What a fun adventure what a great friend. He gave me a hard time about getting in the survival suit (what I called the artic suit) and let me know I needed a little more practice before I could get into it under the time limit. Steve's in a few of the photos, but the infamous survival suit is mid-way through the video. http://youtu.be/Ur6AB9Jlm3U

Steve was an excellent biologist and great coworker. I enjoyed working alongside Steve and spent some time in quality fellowship with him as well. My condolences and prayers go out to Steve's family, friends, and coworkers. He will be dearly missed!

My heart has great sympathy for you and the loss of our beloved Steve. There are many memories I have at all our family reunions. I wish I could be there to honor the memory of Steve but he will always be in my heart. A BIG HUG TO ALL OF YOU! Who would of ever known the hug I got from him last Saturday would be the last. We all know he is in a better place than we are right now. I will always love him as I will always love his family. GOD BLESS....LOVE YOU RENAE

Whenever I needed help on marine species, samples or data, Steve was a cheerful resource. I got to know him more over lunch and cubicle chats. What a great smile and greeting he had every morning. He leaves us at his peak to be with the Lord. My sympathy at your loss of a son and brother.

I have known Steve since we were at the UW College of Fisheries in the mid-1970's. Steve and I spent many hours underwater together as part of WDF's Marine Enhancement SCUBA team in the early to mid 1980's. Steve was a dedicated biologist who had a never ending enthusiasm for the outdoors and the protection of our natural resources. WDFW has lost an excellent biologist, and we have lost a very dear friend. My condolences goes out to his mother, brother and the rest of his family.

I worked with Steve regularly to attain federal "endangered species" take permits to continue his field work. Steve was the consummate professional, and always displayed a passion for the resource and respect for those he worked with. I am proud to have known him as a co-worker and colleague, and will miss him greatly.
Jon. Anderson, WDFW Fish Program

Steve was a genuinely great guy and will be missed by his family here at WDFW. He can hunt whenever and wherever he wants as there are no bag limits or seasons where he's at now. Peace, Prayers, and Grace to the Quinnell family during this difficult time.

My heart is filled with sadness in learning of Steve's death. Steve was an integral part of a field team that I worked with in Puget Sound. I will never forget his close attention to detail and enthusiasm for this scientific endeavor. He was termendously creative, full of energy and diligent. When that project ended, I did not keep up with Steve or the other members of that crew. However, I have fond memories of the work and of Steve's part in it.

Mary Moser

I have fond memories of my many years working with Steve. He was an trusted co-worker and an honest friend. I will miss him.