Sad news...The Chef Memorial thread

this was one of my last times fishing with the dude down at limekiln.he was badass and taught me alot about rockfishing and how to fish big sur.im gonna miss him.

So sad to lose a guy like Chef. He was oh so helpful when I was privileged to meet him down at Big Sur. You will be missed!


Remember to live life to the fullest.

I was crushed upon my return this weekend to have a message from Chuck regarding the sad news. Chef was so much fun, so courageous and such an inspiration to us all. My first launch at Limekiln was with Chef and Chuck. He headed off to his favorite spot off Lucia leaving the two rookies in the dust. Before we caught up, he was yelling with joy having caught the first of his two really nice ling for the day. Keepers were 30" then. My greatest hope was for the day I could once again see him on the water doing what he loved most. He will be truely missed. I will always think of him when at Big Sur where his heart and soul resides.

Life is good but life is short. None of us know just how short.
Do what you like while you can. We will forever miss you Chef.

Chef was a great man... One of the strongest and most courageous out there... and in so many ways an inspiration to me on my path and journey back to wellness. He will be missed dearly, and as I write this, I'm thinking fondly of the friendship that developed between us , from adventures down to the southcoast of Big Sur, smokin a phatty up on the top of the Garrapata overlook, and the mutual support that developed between us as we both went through our health trials. As some of you know, I was tagged by a lightning bolt in the Sierras last summer, and since then developed a gnarly health condition. My westerns docs said it would take 3 years for me to get better. I didn't take this for an answer, and started taking the alternative routs back to health and wellness, embracing a holistic lifestyle, doing lots of yoga, and getting accupuncture twice a week. Anyhow, chef and I provided a mutual support system for each other at times, offering kind words and general brotherly support on our individual paths. I will always remember him for the kind and adventurous man that he was, and will think of him each time I fish Lucia Bay or walk the beaches off the southcoast if Big Sur looking for jade.
Jade pyrates of the southcoast forever!!!

It is such a shame to loose such a positive person.  I would like to pass on my condolences to the family

Jim

Fish in peace...

I have been out of the country and just read this sad news, our condolences go out to Steve's family and friends. I had not had the chance to meet Steve, though we had talked and exchanged emails about plans of getting on the water together. I am sorry we will not have the chance.
Peace be with you my brother.

I feel fortunate to be associated with a group of people who not only appreciate the goodness of others, but who celebrate it - alot!  How does love touch your life outside of your immediate family?  Too many people scoff at a question like this - some would laugh it off as absurd!  So many people here have an M.O. of love, kindness, sharing, positive feelings...  I am sorry that I won't get to fish with Chef, but I'm stoked to be fortunate enough to hang with like-minded folks, and it's far beyond apparent that Steve Blackwell was a love-leader among us.

Rest in peace, Steve.  Keep smiling.   

Well said Abking and a smile is present or better yet the present....

Steve, I'm going to miss you.... so many great times at ft. ross!!! rest easy buddy.

I just noticed the sad news. I never met the man but I can tell from the quantity and quality of his friends on this board that he was a great fisher, friend, and man.

"When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends."
   Japanese Proverb

"When a resolute young fellow steps up to the great bully, the world, and takes him boldly by the beard, he is often surprised to find it comes off in his hand, and that it was only tied on to scare away the timid adventurers."
   Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm."
   Winston Churchill

"Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it."
   The Talmud

"We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world."
   Helen Keller

Rest in Peace Steve.

We will miss you friend!

Now for a moment of silent...prayer

Chef - Wish you fishing at peace. Sadly, we don't see you. Last time I saw you was you at Elk cooked for us. You are great, we definitely miss you this season and beyond!

I only met chef once, at my first norcal function.

I don't have the words to express the sadness,

Craigh

 

I just saw this thread today.  Sucks I missed it when it came out and I am tremendously saddened.

I can only hope that the little I contributed to Chef helped him in some way and I anguish over never having met him in person.

Grim evening for me.

MolBasser