Thomas Steinbrecher
Salt Lake City, Utah — Feb. 6, 2021, Patti, Kerri, Mary and Lou lost their beloved son and brother, and Veronika Walker lost the love of her life, Thomas Louis “Tom” Steinbrecher. Tom was doing what he loved to do most, skiing with friends in the Wasatch Mountains. After having a beautiful morning, unfortunately an avalanche claimed his life as well as the lives of three others.
Although he was only 23 years old, Tom lived a full life as an adventurer. He loved climbing, trail running, and most of all, backcountry skiing. On his 14th birthday, he skied Tuckerman’s Ravine in New Hampshire on a bluebird day with his dad. That fueled his passion for outdoor adventures. He liked to get up before dawn to climb the mountains in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons to be with nature and get in a few runs before work. After work, many a day, you could find him rock climbing or ice climbing in the same canyons. Tom had aspirations to be a mountain guide, learning from anyone who was willing to teach him. He himself was a great teacher, with patience and confidence. Tom taught his family how to repel down a rock face, and crack and multi-pitch climbing.
Tom never put life off. A year after he graduated from the University of Utah, he decided that life was too short and spent the summer in the Alps of Chamonix, France, climbing some of the tallest peaks with old friends and new. He really knew how to live life to the absolute fullest. Tom lived more in his 23 years than most people live in their entire lives. While we are all devastated by the loss of Tom too soon, we want everybody to celebrate his life and all that he did. We know he is in a better place and will always be with us. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of everybody involved in the Millcreek avalanche. We are grateful to and want to thank all the first responders that helped in the rescue and recovery operations. Tom would want us all to strive to make the most of everyday. So shed a tear, say a prayer for all those grieving and raise a glass to toast: “Cheers to you Tom for a life well lived.”
In addition to his parents, sisters and partner, Tom leaves behind his paternal grandparents, Irma and Lajos Steinbrecher; his maternal grandmother, Margaret Bullock; aunts, uncles and cousins, Kathy Shoemaker (Sal DiPrima), Kyle (Betsey), Mark (Christine), Kevin, Laura (Jim) Hatch, Andrew (Makela), Jamie, Kirsten, Jeff (Alice) Steinbrecher, Jeffrey, Patrick, Keith, and Mary (Zechariah), Richard (Jean) Bullock; and very close family friends, Cathy and Bob Burnside and their children Quinn and Hope and William and Karen Sullivan and their children Katie and Joe.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in Salt Lake City at
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, which may be viewed by visiting Tom’s obituary page at www.starksfuneral.com and clicking the “Watch Service” button. A Celebration of Life will be held in North Stonington at a later date. The most up-to-the-date service information will be posted on his obituary at www.starksfuneral.com when it is scheduled.
Donations may be made in honor of Tom’s life to the Utah Avalanche Center by clicking the “Donate” link or the GoFundMe at https://gofund. me/459c5278.