Steve Hamilton Gale

Steve was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on April 27, 1950 to Phillip and Penelope (Smith) Gale and died in Colorado Springs, Colorado on September 3, 2025.

It is with beloved memories and great sadness that we share news about Steve’s passing on Sept 3, 2025, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He cherished his roles as father, husband, brother, friend, and “Pateve” (Papa Steve), and we are so sad he was taken too soon. What started as pneumonia evolved to a pulmonary embolism and became a larger problem of internal bleeding which he succumbed to.  We made sure his last moments were comfortable, and he was surrounded by love from family, then and always, and will be greatly missed. 

Steve was married to Melanie (Williams) Verce on January 8, 2013.  His daughters, Erica and Anna and his blended family were a source of great pride and joy to Steve.

Steve graduated from John Burroughs High School in St. Louis, MO in 1968.  He went to Tulane University in New Orleans where he played football on an athletic scholarship and studied Mechanical Engineering.  He received an Architectural Drafting Degree from Prescott College, in Prescott, Arizona and received a Masters in Industrial Safety from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in Duluth, Minnesota.

Steve was instrumental in founding the NCSE organization (National Construction Safety Executives).  The NCSE is a highly influential, non-political organization that is regularly called upon to convene in Washington, D.C. to help develop legislation aimed at improving various aspects of safety in the construction industry.

Steve worked during the summers for many years as a fishing guide and boat captain at Isle Royale National Park.  He also worked as an Industrial Arts teacher at a high school in Duluth, Minnesota.  Subsequently he worked at Martin Marietta near New Orleans.  Next, he followed his heart to Alaska where he managed Tikchik Narrows Lodge, a world-class fishing resort.  After leaving Alaska, he worked as the Safety Director for TIC in Steamboat Springs for most of his career. That job was ended abruptly by AML Leukemia.  

He was a miracle for surviving that very deadly form of leukemia and lived a wonderful life for another twenty+ years.  

Steve spent many years in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and raised his family there.

Long after surviving the leukemia, in his later years, he and Melanie married and moved to Saudi Arabia where he worked for Parsons, International for 5 years as a Safety Director; location chosen for the life experience/adventure and travel opportunities afforded on the “other half” of the world.

Steve was passionate about travel and exploring the world.  He and Melanie visited over 40 countries, many islands, numerous Wonders of the World and World Heritage Sites in their years together.  Steve was an avid and legendary fly fisherman and fished in many interesting places around the world.  Undoubtedly, his happy place was the family cabin on Gale Island within Isle Royale National Park.

Steve is survived by his wife Melanie, daughters Erica & Anna, brothers Don (Amba), Chris (Peggy) and Tom (Kendra), step-sons Martin Verce (Anna), and Landon Verce (Megan), three grandchildren Hadley, Rowen and Callie and nieces Jess, Mariel, Spencer and Kara.

Steve lived a full life; a life full of love, curiosity, love of learning, passion for skiing, hiking, fishing, his family, traveling, encouraging others to make the best of themselves and to pursue the highest degree of education and number of certificates possible, making the most of every day, and advocated following one’s heart.  Steve mentored numerous people throughout his life and career to attain the most possible in their professional careers.

We find comfort in knowing that Steve's legacy lives on through the lessons he taught us, the love he shared, and the memories we will cherish forever.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Yampa Valley Medical Center Foundation in Steamboat Springs, in the name of Steve Gale at the following website:  https://www.yvmcf.org/donate/.  This is the organization that greatly supported Steve and his family during his long struggle with and recovery from AML Leukemia.  Please designate the donation specifically to “Patient and Family Support”.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Arrowhead Golf Club at 10850 Sundown Trail, Littleton, CO on Sunday, November 16 at 10:00.

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