Steven V Swain

Steve was the sunshine in the MMG office and always assured me that my numerous questions were not a problem for him. He guided so many of us new Master Gardeners, always teaching complex things with skill and an abundance of humor. What a huge loss. Love to his family. MMG 2010

I climbed Mt. Banner with Steve and Wolfgang Schweigkofler sometime around 2002-2003. It was a fun fast and dangerous trip. I will always remember facing an ice sheet with one pair of crampons and an ice axe between us. I remember him as fun to talk with and always willing to debate. I am sorry to hear of his early passing.

Steve was my best friend and the love of my life. He was a caring, loyal, and devoted partner, He loved engaging in deep, spirited conversations- a great debater and a true devil’s advocate.
Steve was both a teacher and a lifelong student —a problem-solver through and through. He was my also my teammate, my riding partner, and fellow nature enthusiast. He was truly my greatest cheerleader- the one who helped me to believe that anything was possible.

To some he was the generous giver of chocolate, a warm and bubbly travel companion, or the kind of neighbor who shared his bounty-always ready to lend a helping hand. But at his core, Steve was a “bridger”—he connected people to knowledge, to each other, and to solutions. His passion and enthusiasm were contagious. 

He loved to tell a good story. He enjoyed tinkering, and fixing things- projects filled his days off.  Yes, Steve had boundless energy. Even when pulled in multiple directions, he was generous with his time and knowledge—offering advice, comfort, and a sympathetic ear.

He was right where he was meant to be, perfectly suited to a career that allowed him to forge his own path. Deeply reflective, Steve always analyzed how things could be improved and what could be learned when mistakes were made. I rarely saw him discouraged.
When life weighed heavy, he found peace with a walk in the woods.

They say love is about letting go and allowing one another to grow. The space we gave our relationship nurtured a strong and enduring bond. Often, we were like two satellites orbiting our shared world.

I equally loved and was annoyed by Steve’s unique sense of time.
“The other day,” one of his favorite phrases, could mean two days, two weeks, two months—or twenty years ago. As a family, we were forever waiting for Steve, no doubt he was working late on some presentation. Now, we wait no longer and his absence clings to everything. 

Life no longer feels as though it makes sense; our story has taken an unexpected turn. I will forever miss moving through the world with him by my side, his presence shaping every decision, every moment.

But his death woke me.
I was asleep—going through the motions, doing what I thought I was supposed to do.
When he died, part of my life did as well, but the greatest gift he gave was how he lived.
He laughed often, never seemed to stress over the small stuff, and lived each day fully.
Sometimes I wonder if he knew that his time would be short—and that’s why he never wasted a minute. 
I can’t bring his light back into the world, but I can try to warm my own corner of the world with the lessons he left behind.
Wake up.
See it all.

Enjoy the simple moments.

Don’t stress over what won’t matter in a year.

Grow.
Evolve.
Steve was a free-spirited, unconventional soul—unapologetically himself.
I will be forever grateful for the love we shared for 32 years.

Sometimes he arrived on a motorcycle. Other times, on a skateboard. He always arrived with a kind, almost sheepish, smile and some genuine words of connection and friendship. He was not afraid to voice his opinion, no matter how contrarian (perhaps this trait was rooted in the punk tradition of anti-authoritarianism). Together we laughed, cried, remembered, and plotted our strategic courses through the choppy whitecaps of the UC ANR ocean. I'm thankful for this time we shared.

Our overlap in UC Cooperative Extension was short, so my memories of Steven are few, but they have stuck. The first time I met him, he was giving a presentation--he described the chartreuse caterpillar responsible for strawberry tree twig dieback (Etainia sp.) as having a "jello-like consistency" and developing into a "punk rock" moth. The second time I met him was on zoom--he was promoting the use of Spanish-language radio to reach Spanish-speaking landscaping professionals. He'd committed to reaching a dispersed audience which isn't always well-served by environmental horticulture programming and found some success. He wanted to share that hard-earned information, and also the value in the effort, with new advisors. The third and last time I met Steven, we had lunch at a Japanese restaurant near his office. He cleared his afternoon. He knew the restaurant staff. He got I can't remember what, but it came with a little salad and he insisted that I try some. I did. I wondered if it was a personality datapoint for him or just what he does always or if he knew that my order wasn't the best thing on the menu and wanted to improve my meal... We talked a bit of shop, but mostly we were just getting to know each other. I learned a lot about his family, including how well his son handled a recent fire approaching their property. My expectation was that there would be plenty of time to talk more shop...learn from him, collaborate...He is missed.

Steven was a wonderful colleague, and I'm grateful that I got the chance to meet him in the short time we overlapped. He was generous in sharing his expertise and experience, and gave me valuable, candid advice that helped me get started and will continue to shape my program. I was looking forward to working with him more and continuing to learn from his wealth of knowledge. His absence is keenly felt in the Environmental Horticulture team.

Steve was a pleasure to work with. He always brought a smiling face and positive attitude. I worked with him occasionally in Napa County on oak issues and he spoke many time to our Master Gardeners. I miss his expertise, fun conversations, his laugh and joyfulness.

It has taken me some time to find the words, and even now, they still feel inadequate. Steven was more than just a close colleague, he was a steady presence, a generous spirit, and someone I respected. His sudden passing left a silence that echoes through every space where his laughter, thoughtfulness, and brilliance once filled the room.
Even months later, I find myself remembering the small moments how he always made time to listen, how his work reflected both intellect and heart. His legacy continues in the lives he touched and the kindness he shared.
I am grateful to have worked alongside Steven and to have called him a friend. May his contributions continue to inspire and his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.

My Japanese cherry tree is about to burst into bloom, and I think of Steven each time I pass it. Last fall, my treasured tree was looking sickly. A soil test revealed the presence of Phytophthora. In a panic, I called Steven late one afternoon, and he calmly and patiently talked me down. After explaining several treatment options, he said, “Don’t even think about removing the tree till spring. It might surprise you.” And it has! So thank you, Steven, for generously sharing your knowledge, time, good humor, and genuine concern for our Marin Master Gardener community. You are missed.

I just wrote Steven an email asking for advice only to learn he has left us. He was one of the best human beings I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Kind, patient, fun, always available even though he was so busy. I learned so much from him. My heart goes out to his family and friends but I'm sure we'll all be planting everything now in memory of that memorable man.

The last visit I had with Steve started like many others I had with him over the past couple decades: I popped into his office to say hello. As always, he greeted me with a smile and an invitation to stay for a chat. As was usually the case, we covered lots of territory -- from an environmental issue to parenting to a recent IJ article. But this time he posed a new question to me. He said, "What are three things you love about MMG and three things you'd like to change?" Needless to say, we spent the rest of the time digging into that. Before I left, he handed me a book that he thought I'd enjoy. To me, this visit encapsulates who Steve was: a gregarious, welcoming, kind man who was always generous with his time and in sharing his vast knowledge. I will miss him.

Steven gave the first lecture to my Master Gardening class. It was a fire hose of information with fascinating tangents. He talked about St. Anthony’s Fire that was caused by ergot contaminated grains in the middle ages. There was a scientific explanation for the hallucinations, convulsions, seizures and gangrene but it wasn't understood at the time. Steve inspired me to try to dig deep and learn as much as possible while realizing that there is always more to discover and learn. I miss his enthusiasm for researching almost any topic and uncovering the truth.

...and another photo that captures the Steven in his element.

Here's a picture to add to my Steven memory.

My first day on the Desk, I was a nervous wreck. Out comes Steven to reassure me that he was there if I needed him. He came out often to check in. I loved every class I took from him and will cherish our chats. I bet he's on a red motorcycle in heaven.

Steven and I both had sons of a similar age, and we often would check in with each other – sharing the challenges of trying to be the best possible fathers to boys who are carving their own paths in the world. With me being a couple years behind Steven, I always appreciated his insight and, in particular, his ability to trust in his son. He expressed (in his characteristically “Steven” way) such confidence that no amount of parental anxiety would ever change our kids and, instead, we should focus on seeing them for who they are, offer the occasional guidance and then let time and their own true selves carry the day. It was a great lesson for me, and I am so grateful to him for his example.

Ahh.. What a sad, sad shock.
Hearing Steven speak at my first MMG Training class in 2022 was when I realized: "Wow. This is going to be even more entertaining than I thought!" He zipped around from topic to topic, never stayed within his allotted time limit, and was often irreverent. But he was also always generous with his time, his knowledge and his wit. He MADE us pay attention and learn fully as a result.
Sending my condolences to his family and his various "communities" that he touched so profoundly.
Best wishes as you embark on your celestial frolicking, Steven.

A love and a lust for life - that is how I will remember Steven - oh and of course, the sharing of that special piece of chocolate!

A spark of light has left us all. May he shine brightly down on the people, flora, fauna and the world that he loved so dearly.

Steven,
Rest in peace knowing that, with your inspiration, we will carry on as best we can in your footsteps.

How lucky we Master Gardeners were to have learned from Steven, laughed as his humor, and worked by his side. During my years as co-president, I enjoyed the problem solving we did together, his inquisitive mind, and the warm conversations we had at the coffee pot. In thinking about Steven’s untimely death, I’ve found comfort in listening to the song “Breaths”, written by Ysaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock, which reminds us that the dead have not fully left, but are in the rustling trees, the groaning woods, and the crying grass. www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwLgxyVjwk4

Steven Swain had all the characteristics that people have mentioned: thoughtful, wry, incredibly generous with his time and vast knowledge.
I, as a newly minted master gardener and coming from Marin Wildfire, am especially appreciative of how he welcomed me into the fold and invited me to discuss the nitty gritty details of landscaping and fire. I always came away feeling more knowledgeable and more confident moving forward--his positivity was infectious. I feel so privileged to have worked with him.
His knowledge and spirit will live on through us in what we teach and share and do in this world.My sincere condolences to his family, his friends, his colleagues, and the people whose lives he touched through his work.

Steven gave us an example of how to be in love with this world. He was alive with curiosity, deeply grounded in science, quick to be skeptical in the face of a conclusion too quick in the making, humble, funny and kind. What a fantastic human being!
I was lucky enough to know Steven through the Sonoma County Forest Conservation Working group. For years we all grappled with the impacts and responses to sudden oak death, beetle infestations, fire preparation and recovery. He was always intent and enthusiastic to jump in to help with the next project.
After the 2020 Glass Fire blew through our land and community, Steven helped organize a gathering of interagency experts to walk the land together to see what we could learn in the aftermath. I will always remember him on that walk, sharing both his keen scientific observations along with his big kind heart, full of compassion.
I plan to dedicate every tree I plant and every compost pile I make to your good memory.
Thank you Steven for all you gave to this us and this beautiful, messy, lively, surprising, dynamic world. You did good here.

I am a 2024 MMG graduate, so I don't know Steven Swain very well. But I was so looking forward to getting to know him better over the years as a volunteer. I feel cheated. He was a great teacher of various subjects during MMG training - not only did he make the concepts easy to understand and remember (compost and mulch - now say it again!), but he was also very entertaining and funny with such a pleasantly wry sense of humor. After graduation, I was undergoing training for Marin Garden Walks. Someone told me never to ask Steven about Oleander because he absolutely hates it. So of course I did, because I like Oleander. He started out talking about how Oleander had it's place in the world, but as time went on he worked himself up into a bit of a lather about it. He told us about a man who wants him to come look at his several acres of Oleander for advice. He spit out wryly, "I will never go see his Oleander hell!" I thought it was hysterical. Like I said, I feel cheated and I know many feel like me. Thank you Steven for your passion, knowledge, laughs, and adorable self.

I had the privilege of working closely with Steven on fire safety and environmental stewardship in Marin, and I will always remember him for his dedication, open-mindedness, and unwavering support.
Despite his sometimes whimsical and disorganized approach to the Fire-Smart project, Steven was always willing to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful discussions. His ability to ultimately find compromise and encourage collaboration made a lasting impact on me and so many others. I always left his office feeling motivated and supported in the work we were doing.
Steven’s passion, advocacy, and thoughtful leadership will be deeply missed.

He was always ready with a smile, a question. Always curious to a fault, generous with his time and knowledge. Always a pleasure to interact with, and i know many of us feel privileged to have known him. He is so sorely missed.

I enjoyed talking to Steven. I learned that his wife is Maori, and I shared some great films that celebrated the Maori culture. I had talked to Steven about starting a Bioremediation Guild, and he was so supportive and encouraging. If I do start a Bioremediation Guild, it would be in his honor. Thank you Steven, and Steven's family for sharing your passion of nature with us all. God Speed ...

Steven Swain was one of Life's Givers. He was energetic, active, talkative, friendly, helpful, generous, skillful and knowledgeable. He was always willing to make time to answer questions and to elaborate on the answers.
A couple of months ago I was in the office trying to use the laminator machine. It was not going well. Steven just appeared and helped me wrestle the machine into obedience and stayed until the task was complete. I am so glad I was at his lecture on Residential Trees recently. The lecture was full of ideas and a passion for the subject and delivered with such clarity. I thought afterwards that it was such a good reminder of why we enjoy being Master Gardeners.
Steven's loss is huge to so many people and so many groups. I hope his family have some comfort and support from knowing that.

One of the highlights of working the Help Desk was getting to see & hear Steven share his passion & horticultural knowledge with both the client &
whomever was manning the desk. He was always welcoming & generous with his time & his knowledge. His generosity of spirit & knowledge always were a part of any discussion of the Marin IJ articles I wrote for all the years he was the editor for that outreach. He was always kind, caring, respectful & appreciative of the work individual Master Gardeners contributed. His passing is a loss to each of us who knew him & to the entire organization. I will miss his bright spirit & will always remember the role model he left for all who were lucky enough to know him.

Steven was so generous with his time and was a terrific teacher; he enthusiastically helped everyone with theirs questions. And he was so patient. He had a wonderful sense of humor: One stormy day while working at the Help Desk, I noticed that a large tree limb had fallen on a car. I was told that it was Steven's wife's car. Ana and I went into Steven's office to tell him the bad news. He asked us if we minded if he changed clothes. Of course we didn't! Next thing we knew, he charged out of his office with no shirt, scruffy pants and a chainsaw! And he resolved yet another problem.
The Office and its volunteers and visitors will miss Steven and his positive and welcoming spirit and his innate kindness. He was truly special.

My favorite times working the Help Desk would be when Steven came out of his office and shared a story or answered a question. What a wealth of knowledge and energy he was! I still remember when he was introduced to our organization - he came to the dinner at MAGC with his wife and a small child on his shoulders about 18 years ago. He had big shoes to fill since his predecessor was smart and well liked but he quickly won us over. Hearing that he is gone is such a shock ; like everyone, I will miss him very much. My condolences to his family.

A blond, boyish-looking man, always a smile, or more often a laugh, but able to get adamant and even angry over small bugs, fungi, and other diseases of the heart and leaf. His office was forest-like, rather intimidating, in a welcoming sort of way. He was such a bright light, always an arm to lean on, figuratively and otherwise. His expertise was immense in all things horticultural, and his dedication to those trying to learn was, thank goodness for us, inexhaustible. In fact, he was inexhaustible – hard really, to know how he did it—I hope he slept well each night, and deeply, as his energy during our days & years in the office would have required no less. Now he sleeps. He must be mad as hell not to be using his energy. A tragedy of loss.
I planted in your honor today.
RIP, dear, one & only, Steven Swain.

Steven's knowledge was prodigious, but it was the lively way he shared it that made him a beloved teacher and collaborator. Steven had a generous soul and a he navigated our world with integrity. I will miss him greatly.

Working at the Help Desk with Steven as a resource was a delight. He was just the best- open, considerate, thoughtful, always willing to share his knowledge, patient and so engaging! He will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family.

Steven was a bright light. He always had a smile on his face even though he was incredibly busy helping Marin combat the latest pests. He was such a help in reviewing Marin IJ articles for the 10 years I worked with him each Monday. His comments were always scientifically-based but always considerate of the writer's efforts and feelings in his remarks. He was at my home many times when our Marin IJ writers gathered to come up with topics we felt were important to include in the next season's columns. He would drive his motorcycle over to Mill Valley, take off his helmet, and be ready to meet up and work with our Master Gardeners in positive ways. Steven always had a few burning issues to contribute and ask for a writer to work with him on developing. He always made himself available to help. I will never forget his presence, positive attitude, his humility bundled with his sense of humor. I thought he would go on forever. I am deeply sad he did not. My deepest sympathy goes to his family and close friends and all who worked with him.

I haven't worked at UCCE for very long but it doesn't take long for Steven to make a big impact. His energetic presence was sure to brighten the day and he always made time to stop by my desk to say hello and engage in conversation. It was a joy to watch him interact with the many people who stopped by the office to benefit from his expertise - he was so animated as he answered their questions. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

My condolence to his family. He was such a good person and leaving us so soon is very very sad. I will miss him.

Steven was a wealth of knowledge who had the passion to help people create healthier forests and ecosystems. Grateful for all the knowledge he has passed along, but he will be truly missed.

Steven was a big smile and a bright light. I will think of him as I look across Marin's forested landscape.

I really can’t express how much this man taught me or how much I enjoyed every excuse to have an interaction with him. I’m proud and grateful to have considered him a friend. He was somehow always so generous with his time despite being constantly pulled in 10 directions. What a tremendous loss.

I will always remember Steven as the natural conversationalist and storyteller that he was, sharing his overflowing enthusiasm, extensive knowledge, and helpful advice that usually came at the end with the phrase, “If it was my tree...”, or “If it was my kid…”. It's hard to imagine work without him and I know he will be deeply missed by our UCCE office colleagues, clientele, and community.

I loved taking breaks to chat with Steven about the most random but interesting topics! He would always say "I am sorry, I am talking too much" but I would remind him that I am the one still asking the questions.

I still have his pothos clippings—one at home and one in the office. It feels like a small piece of him is always with me. :) I only knew Steven for a short amount of time, yet he made a huge impact!

A typical day would not get into full swing until Steven arrived around 9:00 or 9:30 am, walk through the door, remove his motorcycle helmet, and proclaim "good afternoon." And it would not end without me confirming for Steven "you are the last one here, go home," as I headed out at 6:00 pm. I know many evenings he stayed to 8:00 pm or later, preparing a presentation, writing a publication, or reviewing content in draft IJ articles. I don't plan to stop looking for him to come through the door or walking to his office to say good night anytime soon.