Steve Deering

April 10, 1945 - December 4, 2022

Harry Stephen Deering (known to his friends and loved ones as Steve), passed away peacefully at home in San Rafael, on December 4, 2022. He was 77.

Steve was born to William VB Deering and Margaret Deering in Virginia in 1945 while his father was serving in the Army Medical Corps. He grew up in the Laurelhurst neighborhood of Seattle and graduated from Seattle University. He then attended law school at King Hall, University of California at Davis. In 1969 he was drafted during the Vietnam war and stationed at a U.S. Army Base in Korat, Thailand.

After completing his Army service, Steve settled in San Francisco and, later, moved to Marin County where he raised his family with his beloved wife, Sheila. Steve was a proud federal employee, first with the Veterans’ Administration, then many years at the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. After retiring, Steve was a Board Member of Friends of China Camp. He was an integral part of the grassroots campaign that saved his treasured China Camp State Park from closing in 2012. Most recently, Steve realized a lifelong dream of publishing his first novel, The Leonowens Verandah.

Above all else, Steve cherished his family. He is survived by Sheila (his wife of 47 years), daughter Megan Smith (Darren), son Robert Deering (Tiffany), brothers Bill Deering (Kathy), Tim Deering (Francine), brother-in-law Joseph Ryan, Grandchildren Paige Smith, Quinn Smith, Jonas Deering, Cecilia Deering and several loving nieces and nephews. He was an adoring Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle and Friend to many. He will be missed dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 21, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at the Acqua Hotel in Mill Valley. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Friends of China Camp (101 Peacock Gap Trail, San Rafael, CA 94901) or a favorite charity.