Stephen William Owens

Stephen (Steve) Owens passed away suddenly on January 27, 2012 at his home in Calistoga. He was born January 28, 1949, in North Platte, Nebraska to William and Gerry Owens. Steve was a bon vivant who embraced life and the company of friends. He was a hopeless romantic who lived life “large.” Steve graduated from UC Berkeley in 1975, where he obtained his BA in history, and from University of San Francisco School of Law in 1978. He was a stellar rugby player during his law school years, and he forged lifetime bonds with many of his teammates. He was a "damn good lawyer," according to colleagues. After law school Steve "learned his chops” from his mentor and good friend, the late Judge Ira Brown, and at the San Francisco firm of Lynch, Gilardi & Grummer, where he was a legendary character (1979-90's). He moved to Calistoga in 1988, where he and his vineyard hosted some of the finest parties ever known, connecting people to each other and to Calistoga. He loved skiing, rock climbing, and fishing for salmon, whether outside the Golden Gate, on the Rogue River, or on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula and Situk River. In the 1990s he realized his dream of living in Alaska with his beloved golden retrievers, where he both perfected his craft as a professional barbeque chef and served as a guide to his buddies on many a journey. He was an inveterate reader who could hold court on virtually any subject. He was paradoxically a liberal Democrat yet also a lifetime member of the NRA. He was a die-hard Cal Bears, 49ers and Giants fan, attending over 25 Giants Opening Days. Steve was generous with his time and resources. He led his life with a cardinal principle: A friend in need was truly a friend indeed; and he left this life with the continuing love of the many friends and family who have been touched by his generosity. He is survived by his mother, sister Gretchen, and brother Tom, nieces and nephews Zach, Matt, Ted, Natalee, Ashley, Christopher, and Nick, and many close friends in California, Colorado, and Alaska. Following his wishes there will be no funeral services.

Arrangements under the direction of Morrison Funeral Chapel, St. Helena, CA.