Condolence: I want to express my condolences to Steve's family. He was a good man, and I know you sorely miss him.

I want to let you know how I happened to meet Steve and how important he was when I was deciding what to do with my graduate degree in urban and regional planning.

Back in 1986 I was completing a graduate research paper on light rail transit planning in the Twin Cities. I'd done all the research I could from my home base (University of Iowa in Iowa City) and realized I needed to talk with people in the state legislature and others who were with the Metropolitan Council in order to fully understand the lay of the land.

I called the Met Council and was connected to Nacho Diaz. After explaining what I was doing, he suggested that I speak to Steve Alderson. After speaking with Steve and others several times on the phone, I decided to travel up to the Twin Cities to meet people and interview them face to face.

Of all 10 or 12 folks I met, Steve took the most time to acquaint me with the planning and legislative processes and explain the history of LRT planning in the Twin Cities. But, Steve didn't stop there. He went on to ask me questions about my life, goals, and career aspirations. He went on to provide frank and honest opinions, based on his experiences in both the public and private sectors. He took the time to give me thoughtful answers to practical questions about transportation planning that aren't addressed in formal education programs.

But, he didn't stop there. As we concluded the interview (now several hours long), he went on to tell me about Annette and the wonderful family they had made together and how much he loved the Twin Cities and his neighborhood in South Minneapolis...and, by the time we finished, I felt as I had known him for my entire life.

For next few years, I'd meet Steve at ITE meetings or some other professional gathering, and we would pick up where we left off...like no time had passed at all. Steve, in no small way, was inspirational. But more than his ability to inspire, it is the kindness and openness of Steve Alderson that I will never forget...his way of sharing his world and inviting you to share yours.

We could all benefit from more people like him in our world today.

Bill Smith