David Alan Steffen

December 25, 1961 — March 20, 2021

Obituary of David Alan Steffen December 25, 1961- March 20, 2021
David Steffen, 59, died at his home in Englewood, Colorado on March 20, 2021 following a courageous struggle with cancer.
David will be remembered for his deep sense of justice, love of outdoor activity, quiet strength of his convictions and loyalties, and willingness to share knowledge and experiences. His spirit was energized by the arts, nature, science, and treasured relationships.
Cycling, hiking, and skiing in Vermont from a tender age and working at Up and Downhill, his mother's bike and ski shop, David sought out diverse outdoor adventures: nordic skiing, cyclocross and mountain/road biking, backpacking and camping, nature photography, rock and ice climbing, volleyball, sailing, and mineral collecting. As a member of the Mount Anthony Union High School nordic squad, the team raced to a state championship in 1980. He found joy in music of all types and logged an impressive list of live performances at venues across the country. This enthusiasm and carpe diem spirit inspired companions on these outings. He was considered widely read, well informed, and had a thoughtful opinion on just about any subject, especially Stanford athletics and politics. Often perceived as reserved and quiet, this man was an avid role play and strategy game enthusiast and is renowned for his Dungeon Master roles and passing this passion on to generations of gamers. David did not always follow the given paths but set out on new routes and left a trail behind.
A student of Bennington schools and real-world experiences, he moved west to complete a degree in Biology at Stanford and obtain a Masters in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley, with interludes spent in jobs that allowed him to pursue recreational activities in Colorado and California. During one of these interludes he met Nichole at pick-up volleyball night in Boulder. Together they moved to the Bay Area and launched into careers and parenthood, later returning to Colorado to be near family and the Colorado lifestyle. Through his playful and patient presence as a parent he passed along his enjoyment of games and outdoor recreation, compassion for others, sense of responsibility, and the value of lifelong learning. Professional positions in environmental health evolved into a career in software development. For the past decade David worked on Kaiser Permanente Colorado's Institute for Health Research technical development projects and was instrumental in both research and operational activities. A dedicated volunteer, he served at Project Cure, Colorado Mineral Society, and election campaigns.
Beloved by a wide network of friends and family, David is survived by a wife and two children; Nichole Robillard, Zachary Steffen and Ethan Steffen, his parents Thomas and Nancy Steffen long-time residents of Bennington, and two brothers Jamie (Somersworth, NH) and Jeff (Littleton, CO). Countless classmates, work colleagues, and activity co-conspirators are left with unique and precious memories of this all-around good guy.
Memorial activities are planned for the summer when we can gather in a setting David would appreciate. In lieu of flowers, consider donations to causes that resonated with David, such as ACLU, Trust for Public Land, Union of Concerned Scientists, or #WhiteRibbonProject. And more importantly, David would find pleasure knowing you went for an inspiring hike, spoke up for those without a place at the table, tossed about native wildflower seeds, sang unabashedly to some music, embraced caring for mother nature, and hugged your loved ones as if it's the last time.
Guestbook condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net

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David Alan Steffen

December 25, 1961 — March 20, 2021

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