I first met Steve when my roommate Heather and I were looking for someone to stay in an empty room in our apartment in Chicago. We had spoken to a number of people, and none of them seemed right, even though a few were keen on taking the place. Our soon-to-depart roommate Andrew mentioned a friend, Steve Pak, who might be interested. On meeting Steve, it took Heather and I about a minute to decide that he would be wonderful to live with. Steve's immediate likeability was uncanny. We had cooked a big meal to try to sway him to take the place, and the rest of the evening was spent talking and eating. Steve appreciated our efforts (and our food) and decided to take the room. It worked out brilliantly, though things hit a bit of a snag when Steve took in a sickly, malnourished cat that he called "Muffin." Heather had a large, male brute of a cat named Leonard, and we were afraid at what Leonard might do to Muffin, a female. We kept them apart for days, but then Muffin escaped from Steve's room, promptly confronted Leonard and chased him out of the house. After two days, Leonard finally came back. Muffin, I think, must have taken on some of Steve's lively, fearless spirit.

Steve and I lived together that year and the next. They were years that were largely spent engaging in cooking experiments and spending long, late evenings on our front porch talking. One of my most vivid memories of Steve, and one that embodies much of what I love about him, is my first (and last!) climbing experience at Devil's Lake in Wisconsin. Steve was incredibly patient with me as a beginning climber, and genuinely happy at my successes and enjoyment, and reassuring when I voiced my fears. His enthusiasm for climbing at that time was typical of the way that he approached everything – wholeheartedly and without fear. Although it is a platitude, this is especially true in Steve's case: he lived life to the fullest. When he worked, he worked hard, did well, and was successful. When he climbed, he did so to the best of his ability. When he cooked, he was daring and creative. He appreciated his friends and family with the same gusto. I loved Steve's views on life, his positive attitude and happy disposition. I always appreciated life more when I was with him. Now, I'll have to be satisfied with the memories I have, memories I'll always hold dear. I'll miss him immensely.

-Rick Weiss

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