(Photo: Nina Gregory/NPR)
Steve Bier
1966 – 2017
Steve Bier spending quiet time in a Mongolian yurt (Photo: Lynne Rhodes)
It is with profound and deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Ranger Steve Bier, on March 29, 2017. Steve was a true professional, whose enthusiasm, passion and love for his job affected his fellow rangers and park staff, volunteers, visitors, and members of his community. His love for this region extended well beyond his ranger shifts, and he was a stalwart contributor to the Borrego Valley Hawkwatch, had been Coordinator of the Annual Anza-Borrego Desert 4th of July Bighorn Sheep Count for the past 7 years, and was a valued member of the team of Anza-Borrego volunteers working with the Mongolian Sister Park, the Ikh Nart Nature Reserve. Steve’s infectious smile, outgoing personality, dedication and passion made him a hit with everyone from five to ninety-five.
Mark Jorgensen and Steve Bier placing rocks on the entrance sign at UCI’s natural reserve, Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center (Photo: Elaine Tulving 2014)
When Mark Jorgensen needed help installing the sign at our entrance in 2014 – it was Steve Bier who rode to the rescue on his days off. When we needed pictures of virtually anything in the Park, we turned to Steve. Steve was a 15-year California State Park Ranger (having worked at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area and Salton Sea State Recreation Area before coming to Anza-Borrego), a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and a graduate of the West Valley College (Saratoga, CA) Park Management Program. His passing leaves a huge hole in our hearts, lives, and in the soul of Anza-Borrego. Steve leaves behind his wife (and fellow State Park Ranger) Heidi Addison-Bier and eleven-year-old son, Lorne. Rest in peace, Ranger Steve – we will forever miss you.
Steve Bier at Borrego hawk watch (Photo: Tom J Antel)
Hal Cohen, Coordinator of the Borrego Valley Hawkwatch, issued the following statement: “Steve started helping out in 2011 and it became apparent that he had the best eyes. No one could spot hawks the way he did. His skill at sharing information with the public held no bounds. Folks flocked to his side just to listen to the information he presented. He was a man for all seasons. He would want us to continue gathering data and share with the public. Steve was a born naturalist, public speaker, father, and officer. He will be sorely missed.” The Spring 2017 Borrego Valley Hawkwatch, a record-setting year in which – with Steve’s help – counters have document nearly 12,000 Swainson’s Hawks migrating through Borrego Valley, is being dedicated to Steve’s memory and will be commemorated in the annual report issued by the Hawk Migration Association of North America. Hal noted that in 2012 we lost co-coordinator Paul Jorgensen, another great watcher and naturalist and, now, Steve. “It will be tough to finish the season, but Steve would have wanted us to.”
Ranger on Patrol at Fish Creek
Mark Jorgensen photographing a snake Steve Bier is holding (Photo: Lynne Rhodes).
Ranger Steve was always making new friends… even in Mongolia (Photo: Lynne Rhodes)
Steve Bier in Mongolia 2016 (Photo: Lynne Rhodes).
A memorial service for Bier will be held Monday, May 1 at 10 a.m. at the Borrego Springs High School football field, 2281 Diegueno Road.
More detail on the service: http://www.bonhammortuary.com/notices/Steven-Bier
The Lorne Bier Education Donation Fund has been established at the Borrego Springs branch of Umpqua Bank. Donations to Lorne’s future hopes and dreams can be dropped off at the bank or checks can be mailed to Umpqua Bank P.O. Box 866 Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Kerstin Zilm, correspondent for German Radio interviewed Steve Bier on March 17, 2017 for a story about the record-bloom, here is a short audio excerpt Kerstin did to honor Steve (Click the red play button below to play the audio).
Superbloom interview for German Radio (Photo: Dirk Rohrbach)
Superbloom interview for German Radio (Photo: Dirk Rohrbach)
Superbloom interview for German Radio (Photo: Dirk Rohrbach)
Superbloom interview for German Radio (Photo: Dirk Rohrbach)
Ranger Steve would drop by the reserve and get a hug from me every time I was around. One day he stopped his patrol truck, walked over to the palm tree area and picked up a snake. As I was walking towards Steve, the snake was expressing dissatisfaction for being held and curled up enough to bite his hand. “Ouch”, says Steve calmly while still holding the snake. The snake again bit the same hand and again Steve responds with “Ouch”. “Really, Steve?” I say with disbelief that he still was holding onto a snake and blood is coming out of the bite wound. He did put the snake back on the ground (gently) and wiped off the blood before the hug.
When my wife and I were at our count site I would text Steve with our first siting of sheep and also trade puns back and forth. We had the most fun trying to outdo each other with puns. It was pretty difficult for me to outdo Steve. He always came back with a pun better (or worse), than mine. I will remember the good things about Steve always.
I loved the time I spent with Junior Rangers, especially on the days when Steve would come to teach. His geology dances and raps were a huge hit with the kids (and we adult volunteers as well) We still say “Que Pasta” to each other in honour of Steve. We feel a great sadness at this passing and a great joy in having known him.
I worked with Steve when he started in Ocotillo Wells when I was the CHP Resident Officer in Borrego. He was always passionate about his job and was one of the funniest guys I ever knew. We ate breakfast at The Desert Rose many times and I always enjoyed our conversations. He could be counted on when we called for back up and I enjoyed working with him and all of the Rangers for that matter. I haven’t seen him since I moved but I am saddened by his passing.
I first met Steve at a sheep count several years ago and took a liking to him right away. When it came time for the personality and driving force behind the Sheep Count, Mark Jorgensen, to step aside, Steve filled the void seamlessly. It became Steve’s Sheep Count.
But that is not the only capacity that I came to appreciate him. He knew that the picture I sent him was of the elusive Leaf Toed Gecko. He took the time to show me the footprints in Fish Creek, several of which were his finds. I could go on.
When we staggered out of Rattlesnake Canyon after the three day count, he would be waiting for us with a warm smile, a firm handshake, and a cold Gatorade -no matter how late we were.
Whenever I went to the desert, it seems like he was always there. And for me, he always will be.
My Husband, Daughter and I fall in love with Borrego in 2005. But when we came off the golf course and started taking in the sites in the PARK and became Sheep counters that is when we really fell deeper in love with Borrego and STEVE. His love for his job and territory that was entrusted in him permeated through how he carrier out his job. He id going to be greatly missed and he will never be gone in my mind. Everywhere I look.. coming down the grade passing Calico’s I will always see Steve. What a loss our hearts are broken.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR LOVE OF THE PARK STEVE
I am far away in Spain, so I must write that I am so very sad. I was Lorne’s first grade teacher so I first knew his smile as that of a parent. He always made me laugh over the years and had a ready greeting that just brought out the best.
Our students were so fortunate to be able to learn from his wisdom and love of our desert environment and his humour.
How we all shall miss Steve. My love and hugs to Heidi and Lorne
I had the pleasure of meeting Steve a couple years back. I was able to participate in the Sheep Count last summer when I had the chance to experience Steve’s sense of humor and generosity. He chuckled at my $12 Wal-Mart binoculars- “you’re not gonna see anything with those!” and loaned me his own pair right off his neck. He made me put his name on my phone for emergencies as Esteban Cerveza. The group dinner he held last summer at Carmelita’s is the only time I’d ever seen him not wearing layers of uniform. Haha, I almost didn’t recognize him. Steve was a charming and approachable person, someone I am very proud to have met and proud that he knew who I was. My heart goes out to his family and everyone who is hurting about this tragic loss. I’m so sorry this happened.
Mark Jorgensen introduced me to Steve as Mark’s successor for the annual sheep count. Steve showed up at count HQ with a box of Gila Monsters he had gathered up after someone released them off S22. Steve’s humor and punnery was in full stride over this unexpected “present”. What an introduction to a friend for life. Over the following years we had many chance encounters in and around the Park, Steve always with a smile and a one-liner guaranteed to strain your laugh muscles if not bring tears to your eyes. A consummate naturalist, Steve had an incomparable gift for connecting with anyone he met in ways that left them thankful for the encounter and eager for more. I will sorely miss that smile and irrepressible humor for years to come. Bless you, Steve, for making such a difference. Hugs to Heidi and Lorne.
0h Steve,We are all heartbroken. You were so kind and supportive when I was going through a terrible time. Oh that smile!! I feel special to have known you. RIP Steve and my deep condolences to all your family and friends?
As a wannabe volunteer guide, I looked to Steve for inspiration, knowledge and demeanor. He was the ultimate. I learned to investigate thoroughly, know what I was talking about, admit when I didn’t know and follow up and get back to the inquirer and most of all, not be afraid to use humor in my treks. I can’t imagine our desert being without him – our loss is not imaginable. RIP Steve – you will always be in my thoughts
Steve was a quirky guy and not afraid of much, it seemed. I took a class some years back at the Salton Sea and as everyone watched in surprise, Steve dipped up some sea water and gulped it down. I think he said something like it was particle-y. And then the big smile. He always struck me as very can-do and knowledgeable. And those puns! Condolences to all his family and friends.