FYI from eariler today from WDFW Region 4.


It is with great sadness that I report our friend and colleague Steve Foley tragically passed away unexpectedly Sunday afternoon. Specific information about what happened is still coming in, but he appears to have had a heart attack while exercising at a local gym and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. Steve spent his entire 30 year career working with the fish program in region 4. Steve was the heart and soul of the regional office and was an irreplaceable member of our regional team. Steve is survived by his wife Linda and daughter Lindsey. Our heartfelt sympathy goes to his family and to all his co-workers and friends who loved him. Details regarding memorial services will follow.



There will be a card and condolence book available at the Mill Creek office and at the reception desk at the NRB’s Fish Program. You are also welcome to send cards to the family in care of the region 4 office and we will deliver them. E-mails can be sent to Heidi Host who will ensure they are properly delivered as well. WDFW Chaplain Mike Neil will be in the Mill Creek office today and available to staff. Mike can also be reached at 253-381-2112 for those who may wish to speak with him in the coming days.





Bob Everitt, Regional Director

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

16018 Mill Creek Blvd.

Mill Creek, WA 98012

425-775-1311

I did not know Steve well but always remember when I was going thru fisheries at the UW when he was a grad student...this is in the mid 70's....and the school had kind of a steelhead derby. Steve had the only fish presented...not real big but a chromer 10ish pound hen from the Toutle if I recall correctly....I think that fish is still on the wall just outside of room 101 at the UW Fisheries Building.

Steve was a great guy and will be sorely missed.

Beezer

Prayers en route, and deepest condolences to the family. Words don't work well in these situations.

That is a great loss, Steve made a big difference in his job and will be greatly missed. I was lucky enough to meet him a few times, seemed to really care about the resource. He was on this board for a while as I recall?
Sorry to hear this news.

Steve tried hard, and was a good guy, to boot...he will be missed.

Fish on...

Todd

Sad for his family

I feel sorry for his family. Steve was a good guy.

He will be missed...

It used to be the other generation. Now this strikes close to home.

What a shock, Good fishing Steve.

A service for Steve is scheduled at the Nile Golf and Country Club on Thursday, March 11th at 2 pm where we will all remember Steve with fondness and celebrate his life. The address is 6601 244th St SW, Mountlake Terrace. While the venue may seem strange since Steve was certainly no golfer, it was the only one large enough to accommodate an expected large crowd on such short notice.

So Sad, I talked to Steve last week. I feel for his families loss.

Bryan

My family and Steve's spent alot of weekends fishing together on the Toutle (pre- eruption), Sol Duc, Bogie, Green, etc. Steve was quite abit older than me and I can't count the number of times I came around the bend of a river to find him grinning and fighting a fish. He and his dad were two of the best steelhead fishermen I've ever known and I hope a little bit of their ability rubbed of on me. I'll be there Thursday to talk about the good times and say goodbye.

The fish lost a good egg. I will miss Steve...

I learned of this from a co-worker Monday morning. The mood around here was dark all day. I've known Steve since he was in grad school working in the Skagit estuary and had the pleasure of working with him a few times since. Every time I've been reminded this week of his death, it's shaken me up. It's hard to believe it's real.

"The fish lost a good egg." - good call Double Haul.

Sg

rip...
Steve