In Memory of Steve Photo Gallery by Cheryl Hawkins at pbase.com

In Memory of Steve

Steve Oustad 1951-2002

My friend Steve's birthday is July 27, 1951. His death day is July 28, 2002.
He was fighting a fire in Northern California when his fire truck, with a crew of
five, plunged 1200' down a cliff. Two of the crew miraculously survived.

I knew Steve for about 30 years. I met him at the same time I met my husband.

While cleaning off his desk, after he'd died, his sister came across a doodle by
the phone. It showed a truck on the edge of a cliff. There was a symbol, kind
of a spiral, that at first I took as a fire hose. (The truck rolled end over end
down the cliff.) There were four words on it, they were smoke, fire, cliff and fog.
I took that as a sign that somehow he knew.

Patty and Steve 1972 Colorado Springs	Steve in his magic Metro van	trick photography	Steve in 1975
Linda Sue and Steve 1975	Crew of Engine 172, 1984 or 1985	Elk Fire, 1995	Elk Fire, 1995
Elk Fire, 1995	Lightning Fire	Steve, Terry, John and Patty 1999	Steve
Steve	Steve	what the heck	backyard bbq
Kent and Steve in Mexico	Steve as a Statue (in Mexico)	Steve at Work (in Mexico)	Westwood Community Theatre
Steve's 50th Birthday	Steve	Engine 11 and Crew	Stanza Fire Memorial Service
Stanza Fire Memorial Service	Processional before Westwood Memorial Service	Steve's Porsche	Presentation of Flag at Westwood Memorial
Firefighter Down	In Mourning	Steve's family releasing balloons at his Westwood memorial	The Memorial Dedication-July 30, 2005
The Memorial Dedication-July 30, 2005	The Memorial Dedication-July 30, 2005	The Memorial Dedication-July 30, 2005	The Memorial Dedication-July 30, 2005
The Memorial	The Memorial	Heather DePaolo-Johnny	Heather DePaolo-Johnny
Bree Shoots	John "Cowboy" Self	John "Cowboy" Self	Steven Kent Oustad
The Memorial	Heather's Family	Megan and Heather's Mother-in-Law	Megan and Bree
Introducing Leafia!	Diane, Mariah and Taz	Diane, Mariah and Taz	Dave

comment |

Robert Morrison		14-Aug-2014 19:56
Cheryl, Thank you very much for creating this Memorial page. I am Rosemary Oustad's nephew: Bob Morrison. My brother, firefighter Sam Morrison, also died on duty responding to a fire. There is a new website I thought you might be interested in. Additional information and pictures regarding both incidents can be found on the 'Always Remember' wildland firefighters website. Here are the links: (Stanza Engine 11) http://www.wlfalwaysremember.org/incident-lists/249-stanza-engine-11.html And for Samuel Morrison: http://www.wlfalwaysremember.org/incident-lists/508-sam-morrison.html#comment-180

Cheryl Hawkins		28-Jul-2014 19:19
It's the 12th anniversary of Steve's death. Yesterday was his birthday. We love and miss you, Steve.

Dick Cappels		24-Sep-2013 19:22
Steven was my closet friend from my earliest memories until age 9 (almost 10) when we moved to Kentucky. I remember Steven, David, Cheryl (Boy! you were hot in 1956 and probably still are today :-) and Patti as well as Bjorn and Della. The good old days. I was saddened several years ago when my little brother, Tom discovered Steve's tragic death. I wish Steve and I had not lost contact, but I think the last time I was him was about 1964 when we rode our bikes on the not-yet-completed highway 280 in Cupertino (from the HWY 9 entrance). I think he was living the life we dreamed of as young boys, and that makes me pretty happy, as I imagine it made him. I often think of your family and the good times. Back yard BBQ's, camping at Mt. Diablo, and all the days and nights we spent together. I hope you are all well. Take care...

Amy Jarrard (Grate)		25-Aug-2012 21:00
Thank you for this dedication page to Steve. I had no idea it existed. I came across it today and got to see pictures I haven't seen forever. Steve was a big part of my family's life the entire time I was growing up. Seeing these pictures made me remember all kinds of funny stories that made me laugh, and cry. Thank you so much. He was a wonderful man.

Rob Misanchuk		24-Sep-2009 03:06
Beautiful tribute album. Outstanding!!

Brandon Hamblin		16-Feb-2009 03:04
As you can see it took me a while to find this website. I was browsing the web and felt obligated to say a few words. I was on the Stanza Fire the night this tragic accident happened. I was working for a state crew out of Virginia. I personally did not know any of the victims however, since that July night there havent been many days that the events of that night havent gone through my mind. The Lassen Engine Crew lives on!!

David Arne Oustad		25-May-2007 00:19
What a wonderful tribute to the fallen firefighters. Thank you for posting this memorial website of Steve and his comrades. I was fortunate to have met Steve and his family in 1998 as a result of the genealogy work of his niece, Mariah. If it wasn't for her, I may not have met my Oustad 2nd cousin.

Guest		04-Jul-2005 19:23
Such a tragic story, but such a wonderful and moving tribute through this gallery. Very well done.

scott clarke		08-Jun-2005 03:16
You know Cheryl I am sure I told how I feel about this gallery a while ago. But can I tell you a real quick story about a fireman in my town. This week this fireman was in having a pizza when a female came in freakin out. This fireman went over to help her, just then her boyfreind came in and attacked her with a hatchet.He struck her twice in the head, when this fireman confronted him he was also struck three times. Both will be alright. I am sure this is the type of person your freind was. I am a cop and and I also work with fireman and other emergency services. People should not forget these people. Please feel free to remove this if this offends you. Thanks for letting me vent Cheryl, That was my scene today. Regards.

Guest		18-Feb-2005 00:44
He looks very kind. That's VERY creepy about the doodle...

Guest		18-Dec-2004 05:55
Very fitting and sad tribute. Firefighters have always been my heroes. My uncle was one at the KCMO airport. I voted for this gallery. Thanks for posting it.

Dennis Steinauer		11-Dec-2004 21:46
A very sad, moving, and beautiful tribute.

Guest		23-Nov-2004 12:36
A sad but definitive example of the importance of photography in our everyday life, you do get a real feel for this brave man over time. A touching tribute.

Karen Leaf		12-Nov-2004 02:09
Cheryl this is one of the saddest and most memorable galleries I've seen here. You've captured his life and death in a tenderness that makes the loss profound. He does live on.

Jill		12-Nov-2004 00:11
Cheryl, again this only reinforces my thought of how sensitive and loving you are. This tribute sensitive and loving, Steve lives on here.

laine82		11-Nov-2004 22:31
Such a sad loss. Let your good times be the memories you have most Cheryl.

Guest		11-Nov-2004 21:24
May Steve rest in heaven, and we will be remembering him although he cannot share his photoes taken there... but I am sure there should be plenty of light and sunshine in heaven for Steve if he still takes pictures there....

Barri Olson		10-Nov-2004 05:34
Cheryl...really nice tribute to your friend...and to all the unsung heroes who fight fires. Very sad though......Barri

Toni Moore		09-Nov-2004 16:00
I have seen this gallery on the popular pages but could not visit til now because I knew it was about loss. I am crying now and its OK - thank you for posting this wonderful tribute. We need to celebrate all the young lions we've known through our seasons. toni

EMangl		08-Nov-2004 12:19
fine tribute - glad that i lost no real friend so far

Stu		06-Nov-2004 07:28
If you open a Paypal account, I will be only too happy to donate a few dollars. I think firefighters are undervalued generally - particularly in the UK - and their committment and sacrifice ought to be acknowledged.

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