Steven K. Van Dyke, 63, of Bonita Springs, FL and Green Bay, WI, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend; a gifted engineer and scientist; and well-respected, compassionate business owner and community leader died peacefully with his family by his side on October 11, 2008 following a lengthy illness. We all leave our special footprint on this world, and yet are somehow unaware of the many lives and hearts we touch along the way... of the legacy we leave behind. Steven's legacy is best captured in these words from American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson: "To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people And the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics And endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child a garden patch, or by a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here, That is to have succeeded." Steven was born on January 6, 1945 to Joseph and Beverly Van Dyke in Chicago, IL. After graduating from Marinette Catholic Central High School in 1963, Steven went on to earn his Mechanical Engineering degree from Marquette University in 1968 and his MBA from the University of Chicago's Executive Program in 1982. Steven's amazing spirit of adventure took him thousands of miles from home a job as the planning and engineering department supervisor for the Honolulu, Hawaii, Gas Company. He worked and lived in "paradise" for three years before returning to Wisconsin in 1971 and joining Foth & Van Dyke as their first mechanical engineer. Steven was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Foth & Van Dyke in 1981 and served in that capacity until 1997. He served as Chairman of the Board for the firm from 1981 to 2006. During his tenure, the company grew in size and stature and today is regarded as one of the Top 200 engineering firms in the country. In 2005, Steven along with Bob Rupp, became a founding partner of The Renewal Group, fulfilling his goal of helping other organizations grow, transition and prosper. Steven authored and had published numerous articles on the concept of Total Quality Management and engineering management, and was often quoted in national publications as an expert on the subject. His passion for advancing the engineering profession locally and nationally was equally robust and his contributions many. He served on the Marquette University College of Engineering Dean's Advisory Council; Milwaukee School Engineering's Committee on Research and Consulting; various national and state committees for the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE); and the University of Wisconsin System Governors Task Force on Engineering and Technology. Steven took on many leadership roles within statewide engineering professional groups including the Wisconsin Society of Professional Engineers (WSPE); State of Wisconsin Professional Engineers in Private Practice; WSPE's Fox River Valley Chapter; and the Northeast Wisconsin Quality Improvement Network. Steven was also an active and involved member of the American Society for Quality Control; Chairman, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Northeast Wisconsin Group; Chairman, Consultants Office Management Committee member, and member of the Board of Governors for the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE); a charter member and Chairman of the National Institute of Engineering and Management Systems, an affiliate of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). Steven made our community a better place both through his service to an array of organizations and his pioneering spirit. He served on the Board of Directors Bellin Health, Inc; Touchpoint Insurance Co., and United Investors, Inc. Throughout his life, he shared his time and talents with many other businesses corporations, charitable and civic organizations including Downtown Green Bay Inc. (DGBI); The Executive Committee (TEC); Aurora Health Care, Bay Area Community Council; Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce; Bay Lakes Council of Boy Scouts; United Way; University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Board of Visitors and Founders Association; and Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. In 1989, the Green Bay Rotary named him their Free Enterprise Award recipient recognition of his many business contributions. Perhaps the most enduring example of Steven's desire to inspire good works and impart lasting change is one that also highlights his passion for life-long learning, science and engineering. Recognizing a deficiency of science knowledge and natural scientific curiosity among Wisconsin high school graduates, Steven dedicated full-time company staff and resources to research the issue and to the eventual launch of, the Einstein Project, a non-profit school-business-community partnership dedicated to improving the quality of science education for K-8 students in Wisconsin. It is the only entity of its kind in the state and ranks among the top national models for systemic change in science education today Each year, more than 85, 000 students participate in hands-on science through this program. Steven and Ellen Ney were united in marriage on May 30, 1986. With Ellen, Steven experienced the great joy of being a parent and grandparent and the power of unconditional love. Steven treasured his role as a father and was extremely proud of the fine adults Bill and Erin grew to be. He was also honored to serve as a father figure to several of their friends, openly sharing his time and always finding time to listen. Children were unusually drawn to Steven and seemed to know they were with someone specialor that he had something special to say. He used every opportunity to make occasions with his nieces and nephews educational and was notorious for correcting their grammar. His 4-year-old granddaughter, Clara, was especially fond of Steven and recently commented: "I just love that guy!" Steven was also known for his witty and dry sense of humorthe type only a fellow engineer could appreciate. Throughout all the adversity and his illness, he never lost his sense of humor. Following his recent brain biopsy and upon hearing that the surgery had taken longer than anticipated, Steven just smiled and said, "big brain." Steven's insatiable appetite for adventure, knowledge and mastering a good challenge spilled over into his personal life, He was a licensed pilot, a Reiki Master, and held a Black Belt in Tai Kwan Do. For years he enjoyed sailboat racing with his brothers Kieth and Neil on their boat, Conspiracy. Along with their crew they took first place in many races including winning first place in their division in the 1983 Chicago Mackinaw Race. He delighted in off-shore power boat racing and won several poker runs doing so. Steven also loved to deep sea fish. An avid golfer, Steven and Ellen set their sights on golfing in all 50 states. They gave it an impressive run. Steven was given the gift of life when he received a heart transplant in March o 1998 at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. After his transplant, Steven visited, spoke and served as a resource for others waiting for their gift. His sheer determination and will to make a difference were remarkable. Ever the engineer and scientist, Steven faced his heart ailment, transplant and his recent illness with a no-nonsense approach and an abiding commitment to go anywhere and do anything to help others. His September 2008 participation in a national study on mysterious diseases, although difficult, was undertaken with the hope of helping someone else... of finding answers and ultimately making someone else's journey a bit easier. Steven can rest in peace knowing that indeed, he succeeded... he made a differenceand the world he's left is a great deal better because he was in it. Steven is survived by his wife, Ellen, Green Bay; his children; Bill (Melissa) Ney Green Bay; and Erin Ney Dunbar, Bonita Springs, Florida; a daughter-of-theheart, Susannah (Jeffrey) Nichols Cripe and a son of the heart, David Dunbar. He was an extremely proud "Bumpa" to Abby, Clara and Lucy Ney. and honored "Grandpa Steven" of Jeremy, Amanda, Jessica, Austin and Sara Cripe. His father, Joseph C. Van Dyke, De Pere; brothers Kieth (Cindy), Green Bay, Neil (Lee Prange), De Pere; and sisters Lynne (John) Lozanski, Heath, TX; Mary Joan (Dan) O'Leary, Suamico; and Lisa Mueller, Green Bay, also survive him. He was the 'Great and Wonderful Uncle Steven" to Michael and Robbie Lozanski; Kelsey, Samuel and Shannon Mueller; Lauren Prange Van Dyke; Tara (Matt) Kershner; Nikol (Mike) Waters; Danielle (Klay) Konrad. He is further survived by a special aunt; Joan Majewski, Green Bay; sisters-in-law; Lori (Jerry) Carlson, Amherst, WI; Janet (Donald) Baltes, Superior, WI; nieces Stefanie Carlson Engels and Susan Carlson; nephews: Allan and Neil Baltes; brother-in-law, Robert (Don) Olsen, Fairbanks, AL; father-in-law, Thomas Pearson, Superior, WI; and aunts, an uncle and numerous cousins. Steven was preceded in death by his mother, Beverly Van Dyke; his mother-in-law, Beverly Pearson, and father-in-law, Robert A. Olsen. Steven's family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, words of love and support through this journey. Thank you to Bev and George for tricking us into that blind date almost 30 years ago. Words cannot begin to express our deep gratitude to Dr. Dan Koster, Sara Sand, Louis and David Martin, Julie and Tim Opel, Donna Denil, Janet Bonkowski, Father John Van Deuren, Sharon, Angela, Molly and everyone at Unity Hospice. We will also be forever grateful to Tom and Carol Tess for providing transportation to Rochester, MN and arranging transportation to Bethesda, MD. Ryan Funeral Home in DePere is assisting the family. A visitation will be held at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 305 N. Tenth St, De Pere, on Tuesday, October 14 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Hilltop Dr, Allouez from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, October 15 at 4:00 PM at church. Bishop Robert Morneau will be officiating. In Lieu of flowers, donations in Steven's name to Ecumenical Partnership for Housing (EPH), Einstein Project, or Unity Hospice are kindly requested. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the Van Dyke family. "Say not in grief 'he is no more' but live in thankfulness that he was." (Hebrew Proverb)