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Steve Book Obituary
Born Steven John Book in North Carolina, he was the son of Dr. Don Book and Jill Book, and spent most of his formative years in West Hartford, CT, attending Loomis Chaffee in high school and MIT in college.
Steve could be found with a calculator in his hands at age 3 and learning Eritrean and French as his first languages while living in Ethiopia from age 1-1/2 to 4-1/2.
He met his soulmate, Maureen, while she was attending nursing school in Cambridge. Their marriage and love lasted 52 years.
After college, they moved to San Francisco with two suitcases and a Martin guitar, with plans to explore the beautiful and innovative city, which they savored and enjoyed. They learned Transcendental Meditation through which they developed a rich interior life that lasted a lifetime.
They moved from San Francisco to Upper Rockridge in 1987 and then to Piedmont five years later following the loss of their home in the Oakland Hills Fire of 1991. Steve and Maureen spent 25 years in Piedmont, where they raised their children Ben and Annie, surrounded by wonderful neighbors on Ricardo Avenue.
Steve was blessed with a curious mind and an imaginative spirit. He was playful, smart, athletic, humble and kind. He wrote Maureen love poems throughout the years, poetry which she will always treasure.
While Steve initially studied to become an actuary, he quickly shifted to computer science, becoming a successful software engineer. He was one of the few people to work from home in the 1980's, allowing him to also enjoy being with his family.
Steve was a consultant and employee of large firms like Charles Schwab and Visa. However, he enjoyed small, start-up companies most, where he took on various positions at once. His greatest accomplishment was developing software for the New York Stock Exchange.
Steve played sports his entire life, including ice hockey, biking, swimming, lacrosse and soccer. Later in life he helped organize an international soccer team in Piedmont and started a men's support group following the Oakland Fire of 1991.
He loved his role as a father, and guided his children, Ben and Annie, to not only use their full potential but to become loving and thoughtful individuals capable of providing service to their communities.
Steve will be deeply missed by his wife Maureen, son Ben (wife Daniela, children Natalie, Jackson and Nicholas) and daughter Annie (husband Pete, children Kalber and Otis).
He is predeceased by his parents, brother Chris, and sister Lisa.
In honor of Steve, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Dave Evans
July 26, 2025
I wonder which of these Steve does more of in heaven: sings, plays guitar, plays hockey, or does algebra? No matter what, heaven's mighty lucky to have Steve up there! (Blowing kisses emoji)
Tom Lydon
June 14, 2025
I just learned of Steve´s passing. Steve and I played on a line for the MIT Varsity Ice Hockey Team with Matt Goldsmith. We had great fun from our Freshman through our senior year playing for "The smartest hockey team on Earth". We were somewhat mediocre as a team (hot and cold) but definitely made up of smart young men! Steve is at the right in the below photo of the 1971-72 team. I´ve been in touch with Matt, and I miss Steve. I send my condolences and best wishes to his family. I remember only good times with him, riding on the bus to and from our games, and playing with him on my left wing. RIP Steve.
Ann Greenspun
May 3, 2024
Geez, I miss Steve's smile and him whenever I see that picture...can't believe it's been a year already. We always carry your lightness of being and love in our hearts. Steve planted particles of all the good stuff in each of us...Miss you!
Dave Evans
May 3, 2024
Steve laughing, listening, and playing guitar. It was long before I discovered he was a wicked awesome hockey player!
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Ken and Nancy Wong
September 4, 2023
Remembering Steve, a calm and gentle man whose smiles brought light to all those around you. You were a prolific writer, a computer wiz, a wonderful cook, and a terrific goalie in soccer, not to mention all your other athletic abilities! We celebrate you in how you lived as a soulmate and devoted husband to Maureen, and a loving and nurturing father to Ben and Annie. Rest in peace, our dear friend, in the arms of your creator.
Alice M. Foster
July 14, 2023
Steve was a gentle, kind soul! He laughed a lot, loved his family and had a wedded life long love affair with his wife Maureen! I love witnessing that special bonded love between the two of them... love was always in the air with those two lovebirds!!! I will miss dearly watching there love in action!!!
Steve Gunther-Murphy
May 21, 2023
Steve, I knew you as a Dad first, and we would often talk about our children, their struggles and the things we were proud of in their lives.
I also need you as a neighborhood friend And recall how many times we would talk about the up side inside out world of information technology. He were good people Manager.
But where I really got to know, you was after my brain injury, and the two of us would go hiking up in Redwood Park. I would say between your Alzheimer´s in my brain injury we would be one complete brain. You would laugh and I would laugh, and life was good.
You died way too soon and I´ll always remember your smile, your laughter and the goodness you were and still are.
Yolanda R.
May 18, 2023
Steve, you are a wonderful combination of a kind, compassionate, inteliigent, and thoughtful soul. I have been blessed to know you, Maureen, your children for so many years now. I remember when you contacted me to get Maureen a massage gift certificate. Your cute little daschund was playing with the soccer ball in the backyard. I was blessed again in Maui, Napa to have great visits with you and Maureen. Such wonderful memories. Blessings to you and your family as you journey on to the next place that needs your help. I love you guys!
MICHAEL SHERRARD
May 17, 2023
My Brother
A father, a husband, a poet, a scholar, Steve was a child at heart.
We skated and biked, shared forests and games,
and deep conversations.
With Steve, life was an epic adventure.
But now he is gone and there is a place in my heart that is empty.
As I think back on our quests and our boyhood feats,
A smile crosses over my face.
But the smile fades away, as it will never replace,
the place in my heart that he filled.
CFede
May 17, 2023
Thank you Steve.
I am a better person because of you.
Knowing you gave me better insights into wisdom, family, music, cycling, books and even cooking.
You taught me how to look at the world differently
How to stay in shape and the importance of eating healthy
You told me to celebrate the little things in life
You taught me kindness and respect and patience
You gave me a greater appreciation of Michael
You said, "don't take life so seriously; laugh a lot, laugh out loud"
I'll never forget your laugh.
Janice & Michael Holland
May 16, 2023
Steve we will always remember you and the family as former residents of our Cochrane Avenue, Oakland Hills. Living through the Oakland Hills Firestorm stands out as a special connection we all experienced on our street. Our Torin loved playing with your Annie as small children. Torin looked up to Ben, a little older. Maureen and I have shared some good times and laughs and will continue to do so. We send our prayers and blessings to all. What a full life you had!! Fondly, Janice and Mike Holland
Franny Baronian
May 16, 2023
Steve was one of the kindest people I´ve ever come across and I will miss that kindness amongst other things. He was always there for me and my family and he meant a lot to all of us, we all shared a lot of memories over the years with Steve. I´ll cherish them forever and will always remember them when I remember Steve.
All my love to you Maureen and the family. Can´t wait to celebrate Steve soon, as he should be celebrated!
Doug and Michelle Hansen
May 13, 2023
Rest in Peace Steve. Since Michelle and I first met you in Boston when you lived down the hall from us at Englewood Ave, we have stayed in touch. Your prowess on the Guitar and your patience teaching me led me to buying a Martin and many years of happiness pickin' and grinn'. Visiting you in San Francisco, Oakland , Piedmont and finally Napa. Going to a Baseball game with Steve and Ben, some evenings shared having a wonderful meal and reminiscing - all fond memories. Our last visit to see y'all in Napa had some good moments with Steve. we will miss him, but he is in a better place and has left us with some wonderful memories. We will be out to see you again Mo. WE love you. All the best to you and your family.
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