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Marty Campbell has informed us of the passing of Steve Cohlmeyer. Following is a copy of Steve's obituary:
Obituary of Stephen Carl Cohlmeyer
Beloved grandpa, dad, and husband, Steve, passed away at Riverview Health Centre following an illness he fought tooth and nail. Steve is survived by his wife and working partner of 52 years, Cynthia; son Daniel and Daniel’s partner Catherine Demers; and their children Paige and Jules. Also remembering Steve are his brothers David (Barbara), John (Maggie), and Chris (Sue). Steve was particularly close with his team at Cohlmeyer Architecture. Steve was born in Lake Forest, Illinois, in 1946 to parents Robert, an architect, and mother Lois, daughter of an architect, a draftsperson, and weaver. Steve was surrounded by architectural conversations and art from childhood, and he drew prolifically from an early age. An American by birth, Steve met the love of his life, Cynthia, while they were undergrads at Carleton College in Minnesota. Steve went on to pursue architecture at Harvard while Cynthia taught art outside Boston. They were married in 1969, and in 1971, the couple moved to Winnipeg so that Steve could complete his architecture degree while he worked for Etienne Gaboury. Daniel was born in 1977. With baby in tow, Steve and Cynthia moved to France for a year. Steve adored Paris and rural France and would continue to visit throughout the rest of his life. When the family returned to Winnipeg from France in 1981, Steve started an architectural firm with his friend, Bob Hanson. Steve led Cohlmeyer Architecture for forty years, completing projects in North America, South America, and Africa. Cohlmeyer Architecture’s work has been recognized through national and international publications and awards, not the least of which was work at The Forks in Winnipeg. Steve taught architecture at the University of Manitoba intermittently for ten years, where he mentored and inspired several generations of new architects. Always positive, Steve was a glass-half-full kind of guy. While anyone can think inside the box, Steve was pretty sure that his job was to think outside of it. A conversation about architecture with Steve could be a private lesson from one of the best. His drafting and drawing skills were impressive, serving admirably to illustrate his thoughts. Steve found joy outside of architecture. Years of working at home carpentry made him a familiar face at the local emergency room. He took great pride in bread-making and was a keen basketball player, a canoeing and sailing enthusiast, an avid reader, and a lover of late-night walks. He cherished his family. Along with Cynthia and Daniel, he adored his daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Steve is surely at peace knowing that Daniel will carry on his legacy of excellence by leading the future of Cohlmeyer Architecture. The family will celebrate Steve’s life when it is possible to gather again. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Steve’s memory to either the Lake Winnipeg Foundation or the Winnipeg Architecture Foundation.
Also, Marty provided the following internet links to Steve's architectural website:
In Memoriam: Stephen Cohlmeyer, 1946-2021
Also, Judy Anderson has advised that Steve passed on June 21, 2021.
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Ruth Gross
Like Karen, I remember Steve as having been in one or the other of my classes. As soon as I saw his name, I had a precise memory of what he looked like and that was confirmed by seeing his picture. What a gifted individual he was and what a great life he lived! Thoughts of mortality are more and more frequent these days, but those of us who are still here must commit to living the time we have as fully as possible to the end. We were all lucky to have been together at ETHS at the time we were and become connected as we now still are. That is very rare.
Robert Lindner
I have some memory of Steve, but I'm not sure why.
What interested me is he went to Carleton and met his wife there.
I guess he would have been there from 64-68.
I was at Carleton as a teacher of Biology and Biochemistry in 1972.
One of our kids was born there in 1973.
Sorry to hear about his passing.
The MD in me is wondering what he was fighting before he died.
Holly Romans (Green)
When I read obituaries from our class describing a successful individual, it makes me proud, but aching that I did not know that person well and that I lost that golden opportunity. I feel that quite often when I read about our classmates.. I do remember Stephen and especially because this obituary was accompanied by his picture which is what my mind recalls when I read his name on "in memory". What a very special man he was. He had such an admirable life, obviously great parents, and a supporting family of his own. And Ruth, you said it very well - we were very lucky to be at ETHS when we were, and most astounding is that however it happened, so many of us are dedicated to keeping the ties alive due mainly to this amazing website. It is rare, it is beautiful, and thank you all, for contributing. God speed, Stephen. Your obit was inspiring.
Lincoln Krochmal
I regret I did not know Stephen but from his obituary and what others have written, I wish I had known him.I mourn the loss of another classmate ans really cannot say anything better than already wruitten by herrie, Karen, Ruth and Holly, beautifully stated! Thank you,
May Stephen rest in peace.
LIncoln
Marty Campbell
I knew Stephen relatively well and mutually kindly from 2nd grade through Orrington elementary, Haven Jr High, most expecially through pre-senior-year sharing basketball practice at ETHS, though never in class as i recall, and i doubt in the same hall (mine south), and all along before-and-likely-during college (those years a wild blur to me in both his and my lives, but i know we shared them with each other by some significant means, and followed parallel mutually driven paths) we shared occasional deep & family embraced visits within his large family home(s, 2 successive) of at least 3 "boys" home, and possibly also my 2 boy family home, i'll halve to ask my brother, which is a hard thing to do at this time perhaps for all of us boys now in 4th quarter together, i dunno. it became very hard very sadly for Steve and I this last decade or two, when he felt my personality change in our adulthood after we had both left our family homes after college by respective long distances and had kept in touch with my remotely occasional visiting him and Cindy in their sequential parts of Canada.
The last time I saw them was in 1987, a preplanned visit that fell by chance immediately upon the tragic death of my travelling companion, a fact alone that may have colored Steven's eyes and heart considerably. (89 was an ever increasing fateful year for me, including Hurricane Hugo back on Saint Croix USVI, and loss of contact with my only sibling due to anger in Tom's whole family and his own bipolar continuing episodes to now today, since that date of trigger.) anyway there was a lot of silence until finally in May 2020 he wrote me a typically beaautifully written and succinct page explaining, in his eyes, " … Marty was always full of cheerful, or sad, energy, but that his (your) focus was always on himself (you). After lots of good times, but always with this one-sided character, …."
In honor of my now late and very dear friend, neighbor, class, and teammate Stephen, I would not post this obit, nor make this long comment on eths1964.com. except in solidarity that this whole site represents, and that i know Steve and i felt and indulged enthusiastically together at the time. i do this for us.
in our senior year as i recall, he was supremely strong in soccer and in (i think mostly visual) art. i did not participate in either, and was my self out the last and most glorious half of b-ball season with mono.
i know Steve wanted nothing to do with eths1964.com. i encouraged him to join, and others probly did, several times. i fwded him pastes of this site exchanges occasionally, especially in relation to soccer.
i have numerous answers to many questions already here, and several unasked yet that he and i shared our common answers to. but i will refrain from doing more damage to his own strong-held intentions, until i contact his wife who i know as well as he in full adulthood, and his son who i don't know but envy, and show them this damage so far, and humbly ask their blessing for any more, and beg their blessing for this much. this could take some time.
steve is second of my only two dearest friends from all of h.s. continuing. i will not go into the first at this time, but i have already and will again, Oh Wordless One spare life. — grateful ole marty to thuh class of 64
Mark Goodman
I was very sad and stunned to see the posting of Steve's passing. For me, it highlighted the passing of age. Steve was a good friend in high school and I recall him vividly like it was still yesterday. He lived very close to Patten Gym at Northwestern where we played a lot of basketball together . I also will never forget our poor judgment to have gone out on his Sailfish on Labor Day of our senior year in spite "small craft warnings". The result was a busted mass and overturned boat with a good toss into Lake Michigan.
More importantly is my memory of who Steve was as a person. I'm not the least surprised by the description of his accomplished life. The adage that says "show me your character and I will show you your future" totally would apply to Steve.
It was always a disappointment that I never had contact with Steve again after high school. I had heard various different reasons as to why and how he ended up in Canada, but never knew the details. I was always disappointed that he never came to any of our reunions. However, even at a young age, it was very clear to me that he was a strong willed person, with a high moral ethic, who would live by the "code" of doing the "right" thing.. His commitment to integrity was clear to me, even at our young ages. It made him someone to admire.and to regard as someone special.
My condolences go out to his family. It would appear that he lived a good life and may his memory be blessed.
Robert Hamrin
Steve played a totally tramsformative role in my life - which is was totally unaware of.
In April 1964, Steve told me he was going with his parents up to see Carleton College where he had been accepted. I had been accepted there - and at St. Olaf in the same town of Northfield Minn - and I could not decide between the two schools.
When he invited me to go with him I readly accepted. From that trip, I chose St. Olaf - and becasue of that, I have been married to the love of my life for 52 years Carol -- whom I met at St. Olaf that October. Thanks Steve for that simple and kind invite.
Karl Morthole
Thanks, Marty, for sharing the news of Steve Cohlmeyer's passing and recollections of your relationship with him. Of all the teammates I have known, Steve was one of the best . . . in varsity soccer at ETHS. If I recall correctly, he was declared first team All-State at the end of the season in 1963. He was my partner mid-fielder, in a 4-2-4 system, where Steve and I were the two in the middle. He was fast, with strong endurance, and very skillful and coordinated for a fairly tall man. I could always depend on him to be there in support if I decided to challenge an opponent and when we needed to join together in attack, and I tried to be the same for him. He was quiet and confident in his abilities, someone everyone on the team looked up to. If I recall correctly, he joined the team in the fall of "62, in our junior year, and was with us in the fall of '63, our senior year. Those of us who have played on lots of teams know how close we become to teammates, especially those we know we can depend on. Steve was that kind of guy for me. We were in different halls and different classes, so our relationship was only as soccer teammates and friends. He had a great smile, and he seemed never to be without it. He was one of the most solid people I have ever known, and though he is gone, I will never forget him. Thanks again Marty. -- Karl
Bruce Boyer
I knew Steve off and on during high school but got to know him rather well seenior year when he was President of East Hall and I was an ex officio member of the East Hall Council. He was smart and sewrious but not without a healthy sense of humor. I enjoyed being with him and talking to him. Reading the obit, I'm sorry that I didn;t get to know him better, so I echo Holly's thoughts.
Bruce
Melvin "Rommie" Taylor
Steve Cohlmeyer was a very accomplished classmate. In high school Steve and I would speak and had mutual respect for each other. He was also on the basketball team. He was a teammate! It saddens me to lose another classmate at this time ; but sadly, we all come here to go.I went through our 1964 year book "The Key" and saw many of our great classmates and teammates , we have lost. I hope more classmates can use this wonderful website to share insights and gain insights , make deposits, grow, mourn and most importantly share our collective wisdom and knowledge. Make This World A Better Place for you and I !!
I was very impressed by the inputs of all the classmates the posted remarks. I thank each of you for taking time out of your schedule and share your feedback and thoughts. As our ETHS FIGHT SONG STARTS , "ETHS WE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU....." captures how I feel for our friendships, classmates,ETHS and Evanston. Let's make 2022 a great year ! Remember the more you put in / The More You Get Out! That is so true in life. God Bless each of you because you can make a difference!
Rommie HOF Honorary Captain