Steven Brunsvold

September 3, 1948 - July 17, 2023

Steve died on the morning of July 17, at Elder Ashram in Oakland from progressive dementia. His daughters, Emily Goldenberg (Scott) and Laura Ward (Ben) were at his side. His son, Larsson and wife Christina (Crume) and Steve’s wife Claudia (True) were with him the night before. He leaves behind his wife of almost 40 years, the three children mentioned above and their spouses and three grandchildren, Chloe (13), Ava (9) and Hadley (6). In addition, his 101 year old mother, Dorothy, his two sisters, Dianne Weitzel (Ed) and Kim Legard (Rob) and one brother, Rudy Brunsvold (Lori) and many nieces and nephews and many devoted, adoring friends.

Steve was born at West Point. His father, Rudolph, was a colonel in the Army and the family of six moved to many different states throughout his father’s career in the military. In the early 50s they were stationed in France for three years. In 1960, the family settled in Palo Alto, CA.

Steve attended Wilbur Junior High where he started playing the guitar and banjo and singing with a Kingston Trio-like group. His first banjo teacher was Jerry Garcia. He went to Cubberley High School and then to the newly opened Gunn High where he sang in the choruses and musicals. It was there that he met his first wife, Debra Scranton, marrying in 1970.

Steve attended Oregon State University and Cal State University Hayward, achieving his BA in Music, Teaching Credential, and Master’s. In 1973, Steve started teaching music at Liberty Union H.S. in Brentwood and then moved to California High in San Ramon. He also directed the Oakland Youth Chorus, which was possibly the most satisfying position of his career. He took them to new musical heights, traveled the world with them, and many remained life-long friends. Steve and Debbie moved to Livermore where Emily was born (1978). Soon after, Steve went back to college to study programming. He went on to work for Charles Schwab and eventually VISA International, though he always remained connected to music.

In 1982, Debra died leaving behind Steve and 4 yearold Emily. At the memorial he became reacquainted with fellow singer and friend of both Steve and Debra, Claudia True. After several months they began dating and were married in 1983. Steve and Claudia had two children together: Laura (1985) and Larsson (1987). They moved to Castro Valley in 1987.

Steve was devoted to his family and loved them fiercely. He also enjoyed making some very fine wine, sampling See’s butterscotch squares, listening to Willie Nelson and John Prine, and keeping up with politics. He was a kind, patient, funloving person, truly open to learning and listening to the opinions of others. He loved to laugh and tell funny stories from his life.

In 2015, Steve was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, the precursor to Alzheimer’s. Despite his words becoming lost to him, his humor and love for his family was ever present. One of Steve’s caregivers said that he taught her, “it is not what you say so much as how you communicate it and show up” —which he somehow conveyed without words.

There will be a celebration of Steve’s life on Sat., March 9, 2024. For more details, please contact Claudia True Brunsvold at: stevebmemorial@gmail.com.