Bucshon and Staff Reflect on the Life of Colleague Steven Reeves

 Congressman Larry Bucshon and his staff reflect on the life of their dear friend and colleague Steven L. Reeves, who passed away on Tuesday, September 3, 2013.

Although he held numerous positions on Bucshon’s staff, Reeves served most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff and District Director, based out of the Congressman’s Evansville District Office.

“For those of us fortunate enough to know Steven, he was a valued colleague and a loyal friend,” said Bucshon. “But more than that, Steven was truly a member of our family and will be greatly missed. Motivated by a genuine compassion for others, he worked to help eradicate AIDS in Africa before serving the 8^th District in our office.  He spent much of his life dedicated to serving his country, bettering his community, and improving the lives of others. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends through this difficult and private time.”

 

Reflections from Staff:

 “Steven was a loyal friend, a mentor, and the most effective leader I have had the pleasure come into contact with,” said Matthew Huckleby, Deputy District Director for Bucshon.  “In the short time that I had the honor to know Steven, he helped me develop as a leader and made me a better person.  His memory will live on in the thoughts of those of us who knew and loved him and his impact will continue to be felt for years to come.”

“There are really no words to express the depth of sorrow I am feeling at the loss of my close friend and boss Steven Reeves,” said Carol Jones, Director of Constituent Services for Bucshon. “He was one of the most loyal, passionate, and truly exceptional people I’ve ever had the pleasure to call ‘friend!’  I will miss him and his quirky personality with all my heart.  May you be at peace and smirking down at us! Love you, Carol.”

“Steven had an endearing personality that could provide comedic relief to any situation,” said Nick McGee, Press Secretary for Bucshon.  “He was a loyal friend and tremendous mentor with a unique ability to drive his colleagues to perform at their best. Steven was a strong leader and visionary for our office with great attention to detail. The community lost a great advocate with his passing and his presence will be greatly missed on a personal and professional level.  My heart is heavy and my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family as we all try to navigate this difficult time.”

“In the almost 4 years I have known Steven he was always professional and able to cut through the emotional aspects of most situations to get to a resolution,” said Dean Lester, Office Administrator for Bucshon. “Whether it was dealing with upset constituents, attending local meetings, or handling office matters, his matter-of-fact style was effective and productive.  I will miss Steven’s sharp wit, enigmatic smile, and teasing humor he brought to the office on a daily basis which seemed to lift the spirits of everyone around him.  We will greatly miss you Steven.  May you be in a better more peaceful place.”

“Steven has always been my go-to guy. I often times went to him for advice and he always delivered with a well thought out, unbiased suggestion,” said Erin Pugh, District Scheduler for Bucshon. “It was never a question where you stood with him. He was always one to tell you how valuable you were to the office, often times sending encouraging words and offering a supportive hand in whatever task you were working on. He had a great sense of humor and a ‘door always open’ management style that I greatly appreciated. Steven was an incredible mentor and asset to our office.  His absence will certainly be felt and greatly missed.”

“I have known Steven for several years, but I really got to know him in our current roles in the Congressman’s office,” said Teresa Buckley, Legislative Director for Bucshon. “We spoke numerous times a day, either getting a quick answer to a question or letting the other know something while we were rushing into meetings and events. While I came to depend on Steven as a trusted colleague, I got to know him as a friend. We often called each other every Sunday for ‘Sundays with Steven,’ as we both called it, to discuss things we couldn’t get to during our hectic weeks, fill each other in on our mutual friends and update each other on our personal lives. I could always count on him for a hilarious comment to brighten my mood, a sarcastic response to my email, and an open ear to listen to me.  I am heartbroken over his death and I will truly miss my friend and colleague.”

“Steven leaves a profound legacy of service to others,” said Larry Ordner, Southwest Indiana Field Director for Bucshon. “I will miss his smile, his dry wit, and his innate sense to do what is right. As his office neighbor in the Denton Federal Building for several years, Steven’s presence will be sorely missed.”

 

“We lost a colleague, our country lost a responsible and capable public servant, a family lost a son, brother, and an uncle, and humanity lost a genuinely kind, caring, and all around great man,” said Connor Lentz, Constituent Services Representative for Bucshon. “If Steven Reeves can do as much for the Good Lord as he did in such short time for people here on earth, God will certainly have plenty to keep him busy until we meet again. His is a lasting peace.”

“Steven taught me and many others about dedication and the true meaning of living to serve others,” said Janelle Hervig, Legislative Assistant for Bucshon. “He was someone who was always on your side and always willing to listen. He was a great boss and the world was lucky to have him. He will be greatly missed.”

Obituary for Steven Lee Reeves as published:

 

Steven L. Reeves, 32 of Princeton, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013 in Evansville IN. He was born May 12, 1981 in Evansville to Dan L. and Martha (Schemel) Reeves.

He had lived in Princeton most of his life. He graduated from P.C.H.S. in 1999 and graduated from Indiana University. He was currently the Deputy Chief of Staff and District Director for 8th District Congressman Larry Bucshon. He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Princeton, Knights of Columbus and the Evansville Rotary. He was a devoted son, brother and uncle.

Steven is survived by his father and step-mother, Dan. L. and Kathy Reeves of Princeton; mother Martha Reeves of Princeton; brother Michael Reeves of Princeton and a sister Stephanie (Bryan) Caldemeyer of Mt. Vernon, IN, grandmother Eloise Reeves of Princeton, 2 nephews Brayden and Jacob Caldemeyer, several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by an infant sister Lisa Reeves.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 9, 2013 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Princeton, with Fr. Ronald Zgunda officiating. Entombment will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery mausoleum in Evansville. Visitation will be from 3 until 8 p.m. Sunday at the Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton, where a Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gibson County Animal Services. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed online at www.colvinfuneralhome.com