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Stratford, Connecticut

Paragraph 3: Our 14 year old son stood at the podium in church yesterday, several feet away from where his dad lay, and gave a tribute about his dad; of course I cried and I saw Steve’s handiwork. No notes, just from the heart – he spoke effortless, comfortable, honest. The brush strokes drawn fine and shadowed lightly over this little man. The talent for easy talk exposed residue of sound judgment. What Steve had instilled took years to prepare – unknowingly. The tribute was not all somber - he truly made the whole church rise up with laughter – another gesture Steve hand printed thoroughly to his son’s heart. But one thing that stuck out while I listened to his words and watched his face – is what God had given to him – a loving, kind, generous dad that truly would never be forgotten. God Bless you all, and I know this is not the end, but a new beginning for us all. Lorraine. My email address is: [email protected]. I am hoping to do a website in Steve’s memory through Legacy.com and I hope you will all help me keep his memory alive by sharing thoughts and memories whenever we think of him. I will be checking in once-in-a while with you all – Stay well and Grow ‘em Big! Steve is watching! PS: Maybe next year my son will want to grow again

8/5/2011 1:30:07 PM

Stratford, Connecticut

Paragraph 2: Attaining success for Steve meant (without bragging) – giving everything he got – speaking his mind, whether people liked it or not – that’s who he was. He was liberal with his knowledge, giving of his time and had the biggest - most grandest heart, I have ever met. Steve was 46 years old when he died – there was so much more in this world I know he wanted to get done. Steve left footprints – inside and out our hearts. He marked many, gave tremendously and loved forever - inclusive. He had already set our son’s destiny on the right path, shared every moment he could in Stephen’s life to show him just what was out there if he opened his eyes and his heart and remember to be your own person. He had given me an extra piece of love that could never be shared with no one except me – thank you God he was mine. I have thousands of pictures (yes) over our 26 years and I would trade every one of them to have him back, but those our memories now in place of his earthly life – his legacy he wrote and gave for us to keep; knowing someday we would need them to keep us going - his memories live. I am thankful to this community for what he shared, what he learned and how he was inspired to leave a bit of himself, every time he visited the “neighborhood.” I am grateful he met you all – whether in person, on the phone or through the internet only and was able to partake in all phases of pumpkin growing. You were life blood that helped enthuse and provoke his climb to the top of another mountain. He needed to get higher - because that was Steve. His knowledge, his teachings, his love, his taste for life and everything he left behind is a legacy to a wonderful and caring man known as “Tremor.” Without a doubt wherever this family goes in the future - will forever be remembered in everything he gave us and everything he held true to his character.

8/5/2011 1:30:29 PM

Stratford, Connecticut

Paragraph 1: Dear Pumpkin Community; There is so much that I would like to say, and words are so many - not sure how to express my thoughts, but I know you will let me. Steve was my forever, my best friend, my every-thing, and my world. When he was diagnosed with MS in 2003, he had been in pain since 2000 - and never let on how much. It was a testing road he travelled these short years and more difficult the last year of his life. MS had attacked his intensity for life, taken a toll on his strength and divided the one thing he could count on – his sharpness and wisdom – his intelligence; his zest to never stop learning and his giving because that’s who he was. When I met Steve in 1986 – I thought he was a punk – I fell in love with him – total opposite from me – he was fun and loved to laugh! He taught me so much. A hell raiser for sure – but 10 years later his son was born and he took on a whole new side; he was more fun, more smiles; a serious Steve with a genuine personality. He truly had his work cut out! I think he thought – nothing could stand in his way to show his son what could be done if you only believe – live like there was no tomorrow – and he did. A whirl¬wind! He never stopped pursing perfection. What a role model Steve became to his son and to others – failure was never an option. Failure was for the weak-minded and faint hearted. Shame if you couldn’t keep up with him! He was chasing time and leaving a trail of bread crumbs in his wake! And the bread crumbs were not to find his way home – he already knew where that was. Those bread crumbs had tid-bits of information on them for everyone he met; spoke to, shared a smile with – for everyone who had ever crossed path with Steve; and it was all shored up with a laugh, a handshake or some lasting words that hung there in time.

8/5/2011 1:30:47 PM

Indiana

Thank you very much for posting this. Steve made all of my days growing just a little bit brighter. I am not sure the family truly understands or ever could the impact Steve made on this hobby and each and every one of us.

8/5/2011 3:40:12 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Thank you for the posting. Stephen was a good man that in my opinion was the best source of info on disease prevention. He surly made my growing easier and was always there to lend advice. Advice that truly set my mind at ease. I certainly will be thinking of the Jepsen family this weekend. God Bless the Jepsen family and all our friends in Conn.

8/5/2011 4:33:03 PM

Massillon, Ohio

Lorraine,

Such beautiful words! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

8/5/2011 9:18:43 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Tears...and congrats for this posting!!! Lorraine, you, Steve & family will be remembered by this community!!! Peace, Wayne

8/6/2011 3:27:46 AM

Ma.

Lorraine,
Thank you for sharing this with us. Throughout the years Steve was an inspiration to us,so smart, always, always willing to share his knowledge, so helpful, so funny, so determined and George and I are very lucky to have met you all at Niagra! You and your son are in our prayers, Steve can rest in peace now. Strength to you in the days ahead Lorraine.
George & Mary Ann Hoomis

8/6/2011 8:41:23 AM

Minnesota

Thank You, glad you have such a great attitude!I really liked Steve. Steve always answered my questions, either here on the message board or in chat. Me being new at growing giant pumpkins I asked alot of questions, often dum and I suppose they did'nt make any sense, Steve would often answer them and I was very thankful, he had a very in depth knowledge of how to grow these giants, I really appreciated him sharing his skill, experience and know how. Thank You for posting this and Thank You God for letting Steve touch our lives.

8/7/2011 10:16:55 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

I still miss him! Even in his old posts when I look up something ne Steve was already researching the possibility that it might help us grow a larger pumpkin. RIP my friend. and I'm sure that patch in heaven is getting better with your help!

8/14/2021 10:01:42 AM