It is with a heavy heart that this dedication is being written to recognize the passing of a true friend, loving son, great brother, and honorable husband.

On March 26, 2016 Steve Resch spent his final days and hours at the Gene and Irene Wockner Hospice in Kirkland, Washington surrounded by his brothers, mother, family members, close friends, and his loving wife, Vicki. As painful as it is to lose this truly special man, the joy and love he brought to all those who knew him goes beyond words. It is said one can tell about a person by the nicknames they accumulate through life. Steve, “Stevie,” “Stevie Ray,” “Ray-Vaughan,” “Little Chico,” “Little Resch,” and just plain “Resch” are some of the names affectionately tagged on Steve throughout his rich, full life.

Born on Jan. 19, 1971, Stevie spent his youth on Orcas Island where he attended Nellie S. Milton Grade School, Orcas Middle School, and graduated from Orcas Island High School in 1989. A three-sport athlete, salutatorian, captain of his football team, and a beloved classmate, Stevie built many friendships with people from a variety of walks of life, ages, and backgrounds, a number of whom Stevie maintained close contact until his final days.

Many from his early days on Orcas recall a plethora of images of Stevie in his youth ranging from shuffling his way to school from his house in Eastsound, sitting in the front row of the Seaview Theater, playing shortstop at Mittelstadt’s field, wearing his authentic Sears-issued replica Jim Zorn jersey, his shy smile in math class, or sharing a humorous anecdote at the lunch table. There are also later memories of Stevie alone on the football field pulling a weight sled in the middle of July, training for the upcoming football season where he would proudly wear the number “33,” the number his older brothers Tim and Jay had proudly donned before him. Watching him spin and churn for extra yards as a Viking was always electric and exciting. Teammates respected him, opponents feared him, and coaches valued his heart and leadership.

Another image that may come to some of the “old timers” on Orcas is Stevie and several shaggy-haired friends, towels draped over their shoulders, hitchhiking to Moran State Park for a day of jumping off the tree and the cliffs. Stevie always seemed to be on the move, but never in a hurry. This nomadic spirit followed him to college at Central Washington University, and beyond. Stevie, an “island boy” to the core, discovered his love for travel. His easygoing nature made him an incredible travel companion, taking him on adventures with close friends to unique destinations all over the globe ranging from Spain, to Vancouver, to Mexico, and Australia.

Contrary to the fact that Stevie was always up for adventure, he was quiet and reserved, constantly observing his surroundings yet quick to continue a conversation. He had a graceful way of deflecting the banter away from him and back to others in the room without offending, yet conveying strong conviction, seeming to know unusual personal tidbits and background information on those around him. One should never mistake his easygoing nature for softness or weakness, however. It was always fun to find an unusual quirk or frustration he would have pertaining to a certain topic that managed to irk him in a personal way. He had a way of articulating a well-thought out argument on random things that obviously perturbed him, such as low-scoring sports such as soccer. Although some of his rants may have seemed arbitrary or random on the surface, further inspection proved he had his contentions investigated thoroughly and thoughtfully. Stevie loved being around friends, especially on Halloween. He never failed to come up with a unique, costume that seemed to fit him perfectly. He always welcomed every conversation, brought fun to the occasion, and genuinely engaged with each person he encountered. It is safe to say that although Stevie may not have been the life of the party, he was most definitely the pulse.

Lifelong friends John and Renee Welch knew a good man when they met one. Upon Steve’s return to the Seattle area, John hired him as a construction project manager and put him in charge of multi-million dollar projects requiring the coordination of heavy equipment, city officials, traffic logistics, and numerous workers coordinating together.

Another extremely special place in Stevie’s heart is the “Eastside.” Besides traveling, concerts, and being the truest Seahawk fan in the 206, Stevie spent his adult years living in the Kirkland area, which itself is a community with a small-town, waterfront feel, and had that special quality to make Stevie feel at home. While there, Stevie built a close-knit group of friends who truly care for and love each other. They spent countless hours at Hector’s, The Lodge, Vovina, and GC.

Being famous for having the most roommates over the course of his life, not to mention the most moves into different apartments, Stevie spent much of his adulthood attending concerts ranging from Calobo to Pearl Jam to U2 to J Roddy Walston and The Business. He loved sporting events, especially Seahawks games. He also loved his favorite night spots soaking in the music, company, and local cuisine.

Stevie was also part of an extremely tight-knit family who, though not always living close, had a loving bond envied by all the “Old-Orcas” folk. Jeff, Jay, and Tim (Chico) all loved their little brother, and he thought the world of them. When together, they seemed to have a sort of secret language and “code” in their inside jokes. When a comment was made, they seemed to “get” the joke before the rest of us. They also shared a deep love, respect, and appreciation for “Mama Dar.” Dar, a maternal, loving figure to so many of us growing up on the island with Stevie, loves her boys, and her baby, Stevie, with all her heart. All who know her and the “Resch Boys” envy their unspoken bond.

Finally, although he admired, and was admired by many, only one truly captured his heart at the age of 41. All could instantly see how much he cared for Vicki, his beautiful wife (now Resch, formerly Paulo). They truly lived life to the fullest in their time together. Whether it was enjoying music at their favorite restaurant, cheering on the Seahawks with Sean, Jessica, Saint, Mitch, Josh, Kari and many others, standing in front of blasting speakers at a concert, or vacationing in Mexico, they not only enjoyed the moment, they cherished each others’ presence. The bond formed in their short years together is to be respected by all striving for a happy marriage. Vicki and her family loved Steve with every ounce of their being, and that is all we ever wished for Stevie. Their bond and love is an inspiration to all. Watching her support Stevie, and fight for him to his last days, embodied what marriage, commitment, and devotion is all about. Stevie was truly more worried about her, and she about him. Their relationship defines what selfless, unconditional love is all about. Vicki was there like a rock up to Stevie’s last moments and her strength is an example to all who know her.

This soul who embodies the spirit of Orcas Island spanning the 70s-90s era will be greatly missed by multiple generations, including his nephew and nieces, but never forgotten. Personally, I can honestly say I have never heard one ill word spoken to him, or about him in all of the years I have been lucky enough to call him my friend.

Steve is survived by his loving wife, Vicki, her sister Jenny Paulo and her husband Marke Pedersen, brother Mike Paulo, her mother Annette Paulo, her father Jeff Paulo, his mother Darlene Resch, his brother Jay Resch and his wife AnneMarie, his brother Jeff Resch and his wife Marcia and their family, and his brother Tim Resch and his wife Cathy and their family.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 16 at 1 p.m. at the American Legion on Orcas Island.

Anyone wishing to send condolences or donations, please visit www.SteveResch33.com.