Birth: Detroit, MI, May 2, 1941
Death: Delray Beach, FL, April 28, 2024
Steven Forrest Stockmeyer worked relentlessly behind the scenes in national politics for nearly 40 years. He was closely associated with prominent figures such as Richard Nixon, George Romney, William Milliken, Gerald Ford, Robert Griffin, Marvin Esch, Guy Vander Jagt, George Bush, and Newt Gingrich. Still, to his family, he was known for his humorous and loving nature, often playing the "monster in the basement" at holiday parties. His sarcastic wit, wide smile, and hearty laugh, which started in his belly and rocked everyone in the room, will be dearly missed.
Steve immersed himself in radio broadcasting at Redford High near Detroit and earned a BA in Communications from the University of Michigan in 1964. While in Ann Arbor, Steve served as the on-air radio news director; was twice elected president of the student government council; and was active in his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon.
Following in the footsteps of his uncle, former Wayne County Chair Norman Stockmeyer, Steve entered politics. He led a high school Republican club, the Michigan College Republicans, and Students for Romney.
After graduating from U of M, Steve held various prestigious roles, including minority staff director for the Michigan House of Representatives; administrative assistant to Congressman Marvin Esch (R-Mich.); communications director for New Detroit Inc.; assistant director for congressional affairs for the Cost of Living Council, Economic Stabilization Program; director of congressional affairs for the Environmental Protection Agency; executive director for the National Republican Congressional Committee; executive vice president for the National Multifamily Housing Council; senior vice president of government relations for the National Association of Broadcasters; principal in the D.C. public relations firm of Wexler, Reynolds, Harrison & Schule Inc.; and executive vice president of the National Association of Business Political Action Committees (NABPAC). In 1995, Steve formed his own successful lobbying firm, Stockmeyer & Co., and retired to Florida at the relatively young age of 57 in 1998.
In retirement, Steve was active in the Florida social scenes of Boca Raton, Key West, Fort Lauderdale, and ultimately Delray Beach. He loved to travel, visiting all 50 states, all seven continents, and nearly 100 countries.
Steve was the son of C. Boyd Stockmeyer and Barbara Lucille (née Tibbitts) Stockmeyer, both deceased. He was also predeceased by his younger brother, James J. Stockmeyer. Steve is survived by his partner of 26 years and spouse of 11 years, Chris (Dixon) Stockmeyer; Steve's older brother, Christopher Boyd Stockmeyer, Jr. (wife Linda M. December); two nieces, Jennifer (December) St. John and Jennifer (Stockmeyer) DiNofia; a nephew, Christopher Boyd "Chip" Stockmeyer III; six grandnieces and grandnephews; numerous cousins; and a large family of in-laws. They all loved and admired him and will deeply miss the joy of his presence in their lives.
Steve learned he had late-stage pulmonary fibrosis last year and passed quietly in his sleep on an April Sunday morning, four days short of his 83rd birthday. A private wake will be held in Michigan this summer. The family appreciates any memorial donations be made to the Cato Institute, the Elephant Refuge of North America, or the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
James (Mac) Richardson
Steve was a very unique individual with a large sense of humor. He was a great friend at Redford as well as
a fraternity brother at Michigan. His dad and my dad were classmates at Wayne. Steve will be missed.
Mac Richardson