I miss all the ways Bear showed his love for me. Whenever he went to Publix he always came home with a bouquet of flowers for me because he knew I  love flowers. We said "I love you" several times a day to each other; he showered me with affection and thoughtful acts of love everyday. Sometimes he would come home from work saying "I got you something." There wasn't a day that went by that we didn't show our love for each other.

Steve, wow, a shock to me, worked with him over 25 years and though we would opposites on Politics we were I felt good friends.


So many memories of good times with Steve (Bear). From the personal junkers he would help me fix and keep running, the fishing in lakes around the district office in a Jon boat that someone gave him and was always leaking, to all the motorcycle events in Daytona we attended. Steve was the definition of what a good friend should be. Donna and I will dearly miss him! Until we ride again.

Bear was a great supervisor and never had a bad word to say about anybody and always had a story for whatever situation you were in my heart goes out to Cathy and the family rest in peace Bear you will always be missed

Cathy, Heidi, Eric, Jenna, Alezander, Jorge - Bear will still keep watch over you. The love he showed to you and all that knew him, will never die or be forgotten. Terry and I send our condolences and our love to you and Bear’s family. It was a beautiful ceremony.  Love and miss all of you. 

I've known Steve since his first days with forestry. For those that never took the time or effort to know him or were put off because of his gruff nature or direct way of talking, well they missed an opportunity of a life time. They never knew the kind, selfless person that he was. He would go out on a service call any time of the day or night when one of our crews were broken down in the field.  The same was true for a friend that called him for help. They never knew his sense of humor and how he could make the best of a bad situation and cheer everyone up. They never saw that on the worst days in his life, a man that never gave up, never quit giving to others and never gave up on anyone. They never knew the true meaning of friend because they never knew Steve. Rest in peace my friend.

My dear sweet husband Bear.  I long for your loving arms, your loving looks, the thousand ways you showed your love for me.  You were my knight in white shining armor, my prince, my best friend, and most of all my loving husband.  I will carry you in my heart forever as you are my forever love. My heart is broken into millions of pieces; I will always love you.  Until we are united again may you Rest in Peace My Love.

My friend for 50 years.  We never had an argument and we always had great laughs.  We used to bowl and play pool every week.   You had the coolest Pinto around.  We would drive up to Daytona check into a hotel and cruise beach checking out the scenery and stay up at night watching Abbott  & Costello, and The Three Stooges laughing and having a great time.  We were even going to join the army together until I chickened out.  I drove to Fort Hood Texas with Steve on a 20 plus hour drive cracking jokes all the way.   Met his friends and had a few beers with him.  Even flew back on Rio Airlines whose planes held only 10 passengers.  When Steve came back to Florida  I would meet up with him for lunch, just to say hi when I was in Orlando,  Lately we would meet up at the Lone Cabbage Fish camp on SR520 and enjoy the time together.  Steve loved Cathy and really loved to ride there bikes together.  They were a team, a real team.  The memories I havel of Steve go back a half century.  His family has always considered me as one of them.  So to my brother from another mother Thank You for our friendship buddy.  God Speed and tell the Colonel, EP, David, & RJ I say hello.  God Bless.

Good natured, dependable and a true friend. I remember Steve’s ability to cheer me up during long days on the Christmas tree farm   when he would sing Yo Ho Yo Ho tree farm life for me. It was refreshing and he had a way of making things better. If you did not get along with Steve, there was something wrong with you. And all of us who knew Steve will never forget his favorite saying “ bring it to the shop -  shop”.  Good bye my friend.

I met Mr. Steve my first week working for Florida Forest Service in 2012.   He was gruff, tough but fare and had the best stories!  There was never a time I didn't walk away and not be laughing at something he'd said.  There were not many within Florida Forest Service that didn't know Bear.   You are sorely missed.  

Cathy and family, so sorry for your loss. Steve aka Bear will surely be missed . I first met Bear in 1984 he helped me push my broke down truck off 441 in front of the Forestry office, been friends ever since Didn’t think at the time 13 years later I’d be working with him He was a great supervisor as well as a great friend, he was rough and tough but a had a big heart. I will miss my friend Bear may he Rest In Peace.

Bear may you rest in peace I have to thank you for back in 2004 getting back into motorcycles again,since his showing me a good bike I have put on 120,000 miles . I am on my third bike since two dogs and bear got me back on bikes.Steven will ride with you once again one  day till then rest in peace.

Family and friends, I am truly sorry for your loss! I met Bear in 1995 when I worked for The Division of Forestry.  He welcomed me into the fold with many jokes, pranks, stories, etc. We got a chance to do a lot of road trips where he would show me all of the best eateries in the district. He had a saying: "if that baby aint fat, then his mama don't love him". Needless to say, I put on some extra pounds on those road trips. The food was great but his storytelling and laughter highlighted the trip!!! I have many funny memories of Bear. I used to be his tech-support when he stepped into the computer age :) Hell, I still have the BRB Legends ball cap he gave to me when he was a racing pool manager. I have many fond memories of Bear. May he rest in Peace! 

Beneath that rough and gruff exterior was a heart of gold.  I had the privilege of working with and knowing Steve for 32 years.  He taught me so much about equipment and life.  Bear was a master story teller, I will miss him and his stories.  Rest in peace Bear Patchen.

"Bear" was a good man. When I first met him, it was to take CDL for Forestry, he didn't cut you any slack, lol. but he always got us what we needed for our equipment even if you were not from his district. The crew from St. Cloud Forestry Station had the honor of eating lunch with him the week before this 2020 Bike week at the Catfish Place. He will be missed. RIP "Bear"

I worked with Steve at Forestry for many years.  He was always dedicated to keeping the fire fighters safe and would do anything needed to fix, repair and improve on their fire fighting equipment.

He was always willing and able to assist the Agency and the citizens of Florida when needed.  

He will be missed.

All our thoughts go to his family.

John Kern

OBITUARIO

Steven R. Patchen

26 abril, 1957 – 4 abril, 2020

Life Event Center at Florida Memorial Gardens

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