Berman, Steven Paul of Glen Carbon, IL, died on Thursday, December 14th, 2017 at the age of 69. He was the soulmate and loving husband of Elizabeth (Lisa) Grundhauser; beloved son of the late Leah and Philip Berman, nephew to the late Tessie Pagowitz, and adopted son of the late Rita and Walter Grundhauser; brother/cousin to Howard and Marilyn Balanoff; devoted father of Claire Berman, Elsa (Michael) Raymond, Sophie (Ashley Rebeck) Berman, and Michael Berman; doting grandfather (Papa) to Charlie and Wyatt Raymond; loving brother-in-law of Paul (Michelle Bagatti) Grundhauser, Maggie (Charles) Haller, Michael (Joan) Grundhauser, John (Lois Weismantle) Grundhauser, Rita Grundhauser, Mary (Bruce) James, Stephen (Cathy) Grundhauser, and Terri (Mike) Brugnara; and uncle to two generations of nieces and nephews. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, nephew, and friend to all he met.

Steve had a love for people that was rarely matched in its purity and intensity. To him, family was not just people related by blood or even marriage, but people who are bound by time and experiences and memories, and by the steadfastness of devotion to one another. And in that light, he had too many family members to count. Steve could find a shared joy and connection with anyone he met, whether through his categorical knowledge of sports (especially baseball) and history trivia, his passion for model trains, his vast imagination and sense of wonder, his infectious laugh, his endless witticisms and dad jokes, his love of crossword puzzles, old movies, and folk music, or his joy in sharing food (especially New York pizza, egg creams, and bagels) with the people he loved – to name only a few. He was always eager to lend a helping hand, and always ready to support the people he loved.

Steve grew up in Flatbush, New York with his parents, Leah and Philip, and his Aunt Tessie. Some of his favorite childhood memories were the hours he spent every Wednesday playing catch with his father when he got home early from work, building model trains, and playing stickball and hockey in the street with his friends. Despite growing up a few blocks from Ebbets Field (home of the Brooklyn Dodgers), Steve was a lifelong, die-hard Yankees fan. New York City was in his bones, and after moving to St. Louis as an adult, he often returned for several days of walking the city streets, a ride on the Staten Island Ferry, and a Nathan's hot dog.

Steve's career as a special educator was sparked when he signed up as a counselor at Camp Wapanacki for blind children in Vermont in 1971. The eight summers he spent there, many as the Athletics/Evening Program Director and creator of a program for deaf and blind children, were some of the most defining experiences of his life. His inimitable creativity, contagious enthusiasm, goofy ideas, and deep compassion made him the "heart and soul" of the camp, in the words of former campers. For years later as an adult, he made yearly pilgrimages back to the camp, recounting memories of songs by the campfire, devising games and activities for the children, the comradery of the counselors, and the rare beauty of seeing the Northern Lights after the campers had gone to bed.

Steve's experiences at Camp Wapanacki led him to seek a master's degree in special education at Boston College. He spent his 35-year-career in St. Louis and North County as a vision itinerant educator, providing support to countless children with visual impairments. He brought his infectious laughter, joy, humor, and passion to his job, building deep relationships with children and families that lasted long beyond his role as their teacher.

Steve met his wife Lisa on December 23rd, 1978, when a friend from Camp Wapanacki, Lisa's brother John, invited him to fly to St. Louis from New York to spend Christmas with his family. They have been together ever since. Theirs is truly a story of soulmates, minds meeting, and enduring love. The foundation of Lisa and Steve's relationship has, from its first day, been one of understanding and acceptance. Daily crosswords and puzzles were favorite pastimes, and in that same vein, so were mystery shows. They shared a love of travel, first born out when they biked from St. Louis to Winnipeg early in their relationship, and later when they traveled together all over the country and abroad together, often with their children. They never lost the ability to make each other laugh – even after 39 years together, they each thought the other was the most delightful person they could possibly spend time with. This not only made their relationship joyful to be around, but it also taught their children important lessons about what true love, support, and mutual acceptance look like.

As a father, Steve brimmed over with joy and adoration for his four children, Claire, Elsa, Sophie, and Michael. He was the definition of unconditional love and acceptance, letting no conversation pass without expressing his undying love for, and pride of them. His admiration for each of his children's unique strengths and gifts was apparent in his steady presence and encouragement on whatever path they had chosen. He enthusiastically showed up for every baseball and soccer game, every concert, every play, and every award ceremony for his children and grandchildren, smiling and puffed with pride, always cheering them on.

Becoming a Papa (grandfather) nearly six years ago brought a new level of joy to his life that surprised even him. He and Lisa spent several days a week with their grandsons, five-year-old Charlie and one-year-old Wyatt. A child at heart himself, Steve delighted in devising endless games to engage their imagination. He fostered in both of them his love of trains and building things, and helped them see and appreciate the small wonders of the world, from watching a bug crawl across a path, to watching leaves rustle in the breeze, to learning how the things around us work. While their time together was cut far too short, Charlie and Wyatt's love for their Papa, and his for them, will be a part of who they are for as long as they live.

As an only child, Steve cherished the sizable family he married into. Steve was not just a brother-in-law to Lisa's eight siblings; he was their brother. He was not just a son-in-law to Lisa's parents, Rita and Walter; he was their tenth child and fifth son. He was not just an uncle to his nearly 25 nieces and nephews; he was a second Dad. The loss of his effusive presence is already immense. He was, and will always be, an inextricable part of the DNA of his extended family.

Steven told his children often how important it is for each individual to find the way that they could make a difference in the world. He found his way through offering his steady presence, love, and goofy nature in every part of his life to enrich the lives of the people around him. Whether he knew someone briefly or lifelong, they are better off for having known and absorbed the purity and generosity of his spirit.
To honor Steve's life, the Berman/Grundhauser family is holding a private Shiva, a time of Jewish mourning. This is a time when family and friends are welcome to visit their home, share memories of Steve, and mourn together. The Shiva will be held for three days, December 16th – 18th, at their home in Glen Carbon, IL from 10 – 6 pm. Please call Steve's daughter Sophie for the address: 720-491-8449. A date for a memorial service will be announced soon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in one of two ways: to Canines for Disabled Kids at caninesforkids.org, or to Father Bob's Outreach (associated with St. Augustine Parish), which supports families and children in need in North St. Louis. Please forward contributions made payable to "Father Bob's Outreach" to Richeson Funeral Home, 205 Edwardsville Road, Troy, IL 62294. Call 618-667-9123 with questions.

RICHESON FUNERAL HOME, Troy, IL