Birth date: May 18, 1960 Death date: May 17, 2026
With immense sadness and shock we announce the sudden passing of Steve von Essen. Beloved husband of Lori. Doting father of Jessica. He is survived by his sister Cindy (Steve), sisters-in-law Nan (Steve) and Amy, and nieces and ne Read Obituary
Dearest Lori: Tom and I are in earnest prayer for you and your family. What a tremendous loss! I know that you and Steve were great friends above all. May you find the same love and comfort that you have so selflessly shared with me and so many others. Honor and respect to you, my friend.
Guitele and Tom and Kirah and Andrew and Sean and Abishai and Oliviah. You have touched us ALL.
So many memories over so many years. It would take an entire book to recount over 40 years of knowing Steve. Steve was solid, dependable, caring, loyal, contemplative, playful, and always up for a good time or game for an adventure. These two pictures are from our last group trip to the OBX. He will be truly missed, but my memories of him will forever live in my heart. RIP, dear friend. ❤️
My first memories of Steve are as the fun, quiet, handsome boyfriend of my friend Lori. This picture of him is from my wedding to the “other” Steve.
May you rest in peace, my friend. Sending love and peace to your entire family.
Although I first met Steve during our Ann Arbor days, I really got to know him during our multiple multi-family Outer Banks trips: Steve at the end of one trip seriously contemplating not leaving and just getting a job at the Blue Whale. Steve setting crab pots the one time we stayed Sound side. Steve deciding to take his truck for a beach drive but forgetting to lower the inflation of his tires and having to dig his truck out and getting a nice little burn from the catalytic converter. Steve standing on the shore with his fishing pole catching the same croaker over and over. Steve, while a few of us were working on a modest sand castle one day, taking charge and directing the construction of an enormous protective berm that dwarfed the original sand castle and lasted the rest of the week. Steve (and Dave) giving me my habañero baptism one Taco night, managing to make me stop talking for over ten minutes. Steve’s (and Keith’s) unauthorized manner of entering the pool. Steve and I manning the fort at a Thursday night beach bonfire while everyone else was up at the house putting the kids to bed when some park rangers drove up and told us that we needed to move the fire away from the dunes, so Steve grabbed a shovel and dug a new pit and transferred all the logs while I moved the coolers and chairs, recreating the exact original formation and when everyone else returned, it took them quite a while to realize what had happened. Good memories… RIP, Steve.
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Steve. He was a great man and I always enjoyed being around him. May his memory be a blessing.
We are so sorry for this sudden and shocking loss. Our hearts are with all of you. We have only fond memories of Steve at various family gatherings through the years. With sincere condolences, Nicole and Stuart Kovensky
