Stevan William Gibson

1963 - 2022

GIBSON

STEVAN WILLIAM GIBSON

Stevan William Gibson, 59, passed away peacefully on November 19, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born August 20, 1963, in Inglewood, California. Steve was the son of William and Mary Gibson. He is survived by his sister Teresa Rose Porter and her husband, Steven Porter, of Big Bear Lake, California and countless friends that loved him as family.



Steve's dedication to service began at an early age - his father was elected to the Desert Hot Springs City Council and later elected Mayor. His mother was a member of the Mission Springs Water Board.



Steve grew up in Desert Hot Springs, California and graduated from Palm Springs High in 1981. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, and he was involved in student government during his four years at UCLA where he graduated with a B.A. in History in 1985.



Following graduation, Steve moved to Washington, DC and served in the Office of Vice President George H. W. Bush. Following the 1988 election, Steve served in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and then as Press Secretary, to the Treasurer of the United States.



Steve devoted over 25 years to health policy and patient advocacy. He led the ALS Association's policy team for nearly 20 years. During his tenure there were many key achievements including a quadrupling of the amount of ALS research funded by the federal government, the creation of an ALS registry at the CDC, and an end of the two-year waiting period that ALS patients faced for Medicare coverage.



Steve spent the last five years leading The Lupus Foundation of America, most recently as their President and CEO, where he worked tirelessly on behalf of patients living with lupus. Under his leadership the LFA, increased global awareness and understanding of lupus, generated over $600 million in federal funding for lupus research and education, fought to ensure lupus medications were accessible and affordable and expanded critical services and programs for people impacted by lupus. Steve was the incoming chair of the board of the National Health Council, a coalition for patient advocacy organizations that he was connected to throughout his policy career. Many patient advocates, colleagues, and friends will miss his leadership and championship for patients and families.



While balancing his professional responsibilities, Steve always found the time for his many passions: his cherished friends, families, and all the young people in his life that lovingly referred to him as "Uncle Steve," attending Washington Nationals and Capitals games, movies, theatre, and concerts. A devoted fan of the UCLA Bruins and Los Angeles Dodgers, Steve would attend games during his trips to Southern California.



His faith was very important to him. In 1996, Steve joined the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Washington, DC.



Steve was loved and touched so many lives each day. The genuine and hearty greeting with which Steve began every encounter will be missed deeply by all who knew him.



A memorial service will be held for friends and loved ones in Washington, DC at a later date. Private burial services will be in California. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Lupus Foundation of America in Steve's honor to lupus.org/stevegibson or to Stand Up To Cancer organization in Steve's memory.