I met Stephen in the fall of 1984.
We were part of the Capitol Area Victor Users Group (CAVUG). I had a Victor 9000 and he had an Apricot (a much more elegant version of the Victor).
We often laughed at our attraction to "beautiful losers" (we were talking about computer hardware, not folks like you find here!).
I moved out of DC in 1988, but stayed in touch with Stephen over the years. He introduced me to Skype and we spent many hours in conversation.
Stephen was a window on another world for me. What a man!
In 2002, Stephen organized The Oyster Foundation. I've started a tribute page for him on the site. It was a remarkable group because of our remarkable friend.
I want to thank all the Rockwellians for the joy that they brought to Stephen in his last years. He talked about the site often and would sent me links to threads that interested him. We ate at Ray's the Steaks in January on the day after his birthday--the last of several great meals that we enjoyed together.
Stephen died in his favorite armchair, from which he would surf the web and watch TV. He was found in his night clothes with the TV off. I imagine that he was looking for a comfortable spot to doze--he had a lot of pain these last five months or so.
I never got to taste his deviled eggs, but I heard all about them. Stephen knew that they were a big hit and loved to talk about how much people enjoyed them.
I had no other friend like Stephen. I will miss him. I'm not sad for Stephen; his pain is over and he probably died peacefully. I grieve for myself, for his family, and for his friends.
Thanks, everyone, for all your kind words about him.
I hope to be at Dino on Monday night, but that depends on the family's plans. If I get there, you'll recognize me. In our last conversation, Stephen said in his inimitable fashion, "Marty Moleski, you are a big fat priest." Stephen was good to me and good for me. Rest in peace, old friend.
Marty