Stephen James Lau

1949 - 2020

Stephen James Lau

September 11, 1949 - April 6, 2020

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has". Margaret Mead

Stephen James Lau, also known as "Stevie Redwood", was a long term resident of Humboldt County. Steve was born to James Brownlee Lau and Arlene Louise Feather in Ann Arbor Michigan. Steve was a dedicated and loving father to Brooke Willow and Jonathon Lau who, both unequivocally, share a deep sense of trusting the love Steve bestowed upon them. Following graduation from Goddard College, with a major in Botany, Steve was drawn to Humboldt County by his interest and love of the tallest trees living on Earth; the California Coastal Redwoods or Sequoia Sempervirens. In the mid 1970's Steve became a key "member"of young activists, who lobbied Congress in an effort to expand Redwood National Park. These extraordinary actions, by a relatively small group of citizens, resulted in the hard won passage of the Redwood Expansion Act of 1978; expanding Redwood National Park by 48,000 acres and more than doubling its footprint.
Steve had many occupations including park ranger, selling insurance, and driving a school bus. Later in life he returned to college to earn his teaching credential. As a dedicated health and science teacher at Eureka High School, Steve, with the help of his students raised enough money and in kind donations, to spend a week with famed paleontologist, Robert T. Bakker on a dinosaur dig.
Steve's appreciation of nature led him to the activities of traveling, spelunking, cycling, backpacking, photography, and goat packing. He enjoyed keeping animals, both small and large, including homing pigeons, goats, rodents, turtles and hedgehogs.
Steve's many legacies, arise from his warm heartedness, tenacity, love of the natural world and science, teaching and family. In addition, it must be added, that Steve was an ingenious prankster who could bring laughter and surprise into almost any situation.
Steve leaves behind his brother and sister James N. Lau (Pat)** and Constance Morelock (Chuck); son and daughter Jonathan Lau (Karen) and Brook Willow; Nieces and Nephews Ryan Lau, Kimberly Gaddis (Mike), Chris Morelock (Sara), Michele Morelock (Kate), and Jason Lau (Danielle); Grandchildren Ella Daniels, Georgiabelle Lau, and Linus Lau…plus many friends and admirers and groves of Giant Redwood Trees standing by for all to admire in perpetuity.