Steve Black

Intelligent, passionate, and kind, Steve Black lived a life rich in family and friends. A man of principle, Steve took his responsibilities seriously and never wavered in his commitments. He was a steadfast source of love and support and never hesitated to lend a helping hand. Steve was a lifelong learner who welcomed intellectual challenges and solving puzzles. His gift for analytics was evident in his ability to recognize room for improvement and endless creative solutions. Steve led with his heart, welcoming deep conversation, leading with his heart, and inspiring much laughter with his quick dry wit. Though our days with him were far too few, every moment shared with Steve proved a gift to be treasured. A loving and devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, Steve will long be remembered and so very missed.

Steve was born on November 1, 1979, in Lansing, Michigan, to Stanley and Margaret (Jehnzen) Black. The oldest child, Steve adored his younger brother, Guy. As with every role he took on in life, Steve approached being a big brother seriously, ensuring a close relationship. Naturally different in many ways, Steve and Guy complimented one another and formed a friendship that lasted their entire lives. Steve’s father worked for the State of Michigan, and his mother dedicated herself to being a homemaker, providing a constant sense of love and security. From a young age, Steve’s father encouraged his interest in knives and guns, taking him to gun shows and helping him grow his collection. Once he was old enough, he learned to hunt. Once, when he unknowingly shot two turkeys out of season, he earned the nickname “Two Turkeys Steve.”

Steve attended Lansing Public Schools until his middle school years when he and his brother moved with their parents to Waters, Michigan. Steve began his schooling in Gaylord and participated in Boy Scouts for many years, earning 21 merit badges. After successfully completing his special project, constructing conservation duck houses, he earned the Eagle Scout award. As a high schooler, Steve was on the wrestling team and always had a job, including working at a local gas station.

After graduating from Gaylord High School with the class of 1998, Steve pursued a degree at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan. During his college years, he participated in Rifle Club and R.O.T.C. while studying electrical engineering.

With a degree in hand, Steve began his engineering career at Reptron Electronics. A consistently hard worker known for creative, proactive ideas, Steve was an excellent employee committed to continuous improvement. However, he did move around a lot. Over his career, he worked for Kimball Electronics, Amphenol Borisch Technologies, Firstronic LLC, Toggled LED Lights, Firstronic LLC, and Amphenol Borisch Technologies.

In 2007, Steve became good friends with his coworker, Naomi Kamps. As he and Naomi spent time getting to know one another over beers after work, their friendship grew into true love. Cautious about how their relationship might affect their work dynamics, for a time, Steve insisted they keep their romance secret at work. With their hearts set on sharing the future, Steve and Naomi were married on September 27, 2013, in an intimate ceremony at Teacup Wedding in Ann Arbor.

Shortly after a traditional honeymoon in Niagara Falls the newlyweds moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, for a job opportunity. With signature style and unwavering devotion, Steve was a thoughtful, communicative, caring husband. He frequently bought Naomi flowers and always reflected his love and gratitude for her. On April 30, 2015, the happy couple welcomed their son, Gideon, to their family. The joy of his life, Steve adored Gideon and cherished being a father. As with everything, he was completely devoted to parenthood, partnering with Naomi in every way as an equal in Gideon’s care.

With a servant’s heart, Steve never hesitated to help others fix their stuff and continually dreamed up innovations and ways to improve things. While he always enjoyed a challenging project, he relished spending time up north at his mom’s. His heart belonged to his mother’s 160 acres, where he easily found contentment and enjoyed harvesting wild apples for his hard cider every year. Sharing this special place with his wife and son magnified his delight and the sense of sanctuary he so appreciated.

Without a doubt, life feels less certain in the sudden absence of Steve’s steadfast companionship. As we share our many treasured memories of the wonderful man we were so blessed to know, may we find comfort in recognizing all the ways we will carry Steve’s legacy forward. In each moment we confidently meet life’s challenges, generously give of our time and talents, and completely devote ourselves to the good care of our loved ones, we celebrate the many ways Steve gifted our lives. In this way, we keep his spirit alive and inspiring others as he so inspired us.

Steve Black, age 42, passed away unexpectedly October 30, 2022. Steve was born on November 1, 1979 in Lansing, MI to Stanley and Margaret (Jehnzen) Black. Above all else, Steve loved being a husband and father. On September 27, 2013, Steve married Naomi Kamps, together they have a son, Gideon Lorenzo. His family will miss him dearly. Steve graduated from Michigan Tech with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Also surviving are his mother whom he cherished very much, Margaret Black; brother, Guy Black; half-sister, Stephanie Black-Powell; nephews, Trenton Hill, Bobby Price, Tailor Price; aunts, Bethy Boehs, Charlene Stroup; cousin, Amy Clifton; mother and father-in-law, Marc and Hilda Kamps; sisters and brothers-in-law, Caleb Kamps, Samuel Kamps, Abner Kamps, Danielle (AJ) Lewis, Havila Kamps, Baruch Kamps; nephew, Jordan Kamps; grandparents-in-law; Joan DeGroot, Esther and Louis Kamps; and many special friends. Steve was preceded in death by his father, Stanley Black. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 1 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Friends may visit with family beginning at Noon. There will also be a time to celebrate Steve’s life following the service at community hall to be announced. Space may be limited at the service but all are welcome to join us after at the hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideon’s future education. To read more of Steve’s Life Story, leave a memory or condolence please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.