Steve Brown

Stephen Woodward Brown, 78, of Corvallis, Oregon, passed away peacefully at home on May 19, 2026. Steve was a beloved member of the Corvallis community, known for his guitar playing, sharp wit, insatiable curiosity, and active participation in CoHo Cohousing Community. Steve was born on January 6, 1948, in Hackensack, New Jersey, the third of eight children born to Alfred Windsor and Mary Catherine (Sanchez) Brown. He grew up in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, surrounded by siblings, friends, and the lively family life that shaped his love of storytelling and connection. After attending the University of Rhode Island, Steve headed west to San Francisco to become a hippie—a commitment he never entirely abandoned. In the Bay Area he joined the intentional community Lafayette Morehouse, where he met Margot Roth. They were married for 19 years and raised two daughters, Sarah and Jennifer. During those years Steve became deeply involved in his daughters' school community, eventually serving as president of the school board. In 1989, Steve moved with his family to Corvallis, Oregon. He worked as a salesman for Sysco Food Distributors and was repeatedly recognized as one of the top salespeople in the state. Yet even in a professional setting, Steve often wore a tie-dye shirt under his suit jacket—a small but unmistakable reminder of his lifelong commitment to peace, love, and rock and roll. Music was one of the great passions of Steve's life. A devoted fan of the Grateful Dead, he attended concerts and the Oregon Country Fair whenever he could. He made countless mix tapes for his daughters, ensuring they grew up loving the music of the 1960s and 1970s as much as he did. Mostly self-taught on guitar, Steve found even greater joy in music after retirement. He performed regularly at the Corvallis Farmers' Market for many years and played with the local band It's Not Rocket Surgery. He also shared his music in schools and for hospice patients, bringing comfort, laughter, and connection wherever he played. Steve loved the outdoors and spent many summers camping with his family. His daughters fondly remember weeks spent among the redwoods of California and along Oregon's Santiam River. Steve was happiest floating down a river in an inflatable raft, tending a grill, or telling stories around a campfire late into the evening. He was a gifted storyteller who seemed to have either the perfect pun or the perfect story for every occasion. His curiosity and enthusiasm for life never faded. He loved meeting new people, asking thoughtful questions, and encouraging the young adults and children in his life. Whether talking about music, history, politics, family, or the latest thing he had learned, Steve brought warmth, humor, and genuine interest to every conversation. Steve became deeply involved in the early planning of CoHo Cohousing Community and was among its founding residents. He lived there for the remainder of his life, contributing his time, energy, and friendship to the community he helped create. For more than 18 years, CoHo was not simply where he lived but a reflection of his values: connection, participation, and caring for others. In 2020, through an online DNA analysis, Steve discovered he had a third daughter, Aimee. From their first meeting they formed an immediate and lasting bond. Aimee brought tremendous joy to Steve's life, and they visited and video chatted as often as possible. Steve delighted in discovering that she shared his love of the Grateful Dead and music festivals. When Aimee, Sarah, and Jennifer finally met, they felt an immediate kinship, and Steve often said that his family felt complete. Steve is survived by his three daughters: Aimee Kerrigan of Cambridge, Massachusetts; Sarah Brown of Twisp, Washington; and Jennifer (Jenny) Brown of Portland, Oregon; his two grandsons, Gannet and Asher Fisher; his seven siblings, Alfred (Ted), Frederick (Fred), Douglas (Doug), Lawrence (Larry), Clare, Josselyn (Jossie), and Kenneth (KB); many nieces and nephews and their children; and a bevy of cousins. Steve will be remembered for his music, his stories, his kindness, his curiosity, and his unwavering belief that life was meant to be lived fully. His family invites all who knew him to join them in celebrating a life filled with love, laughter, friendship, and song. A memorial celebration of Steve's life will be held in Corvallis July 25th, at the Thompson Shelter in Avery Park at 3pm.

Tributes

Steve Brown

January 6, 1948 - May 21, 2026