In Memory

Stephen Clingerman

Stephen Clingerman



 
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05/11/23 09:54 AM #1    

Kevin Kelley

Posted from Robert Quinn


Date Deceased: April-4-2023
Survived By: Cyndi Clingerman, Spouse Andy Clingerman, Son

It is with tremendous sadness I have to notify all that Steve Clingerman has died. It is both tragic and poetic that it was Steve's heart that failed him, as he had the biggest heart of anyone I've known. How to sum up half a century of friendship? Steve and I weren't close at PHS, him hanging with the cool kids, and me the moody taciturn geek. We started hanging out at U of I, him at Florida Ave., me at Pennsylvania Ave. We smoked doobies, solved the problems of the world, watched Fellini movies from the first row, swinging our heads back and forth to read the subtitles as if we were at a Wimbleton match. After graduation, we moved into a house on 2.5 acres (along with Craig Koenig another PHS alum) affectionately dubbed "Manson House" by one of the girlfriends. We partied heartily, agreed to "frisbee" discs that were unanimously hated out to the back forty, worked our first shitty jobs, and met our future life partners. He walked my bride of 40 years down the aisle. Steve wanted to save the world. After many years working to attain a PhD in neuro-psychology, he could have made bank attending to suburban neuroses, but spent his entire career at Cook County Hospital (now Stroger) working with the less fortunate. He was fiend to all, rarely had a unkind word for anybody, (ok, except maybe the Packers), took in gay friends jilted by their lovers, and was, truth to be told, a lousy driver. For over 20 years, Steve and I, and revolving cast of others (including our friend from U of I, Herb) made a yearly pilgrimage to a cabin in the UP in January or February to cross-country ski, drink beer and catch up on our busy lives. With no cell or internet connection, we were forced to slow down, relax, enjoy the quiet and have some of the most intimate conversations I've ever had. Steve tried to save the world. He volunteered endlessly, working for organizations like the Huntington's Disease foundation, sponsoring clinics to help patients and caregivers, and roping friends like me to play shitty golf in innumerable charity tournaments. He worked with families outside of Stroger, to help them cope with mental illness and addiction. He sponsored several externs (I guess that's sort of like an intern?) and helped them with their careers long after they left the program. Steve and his darling charming bride Cyndi raised son who will soon be an MD and marry his love, Trang. Although he got to know his future daughter-in-law, it's cruel that he missed seeing them marry by a few months. Steve wanted to save the world. The world is still pretty fucked up, so maybe he wasn't completely successful. But like one of the lucky starfish in the parable, he helped save me, and for that I am both the luckiest man in the world and forever grateful. Rest in peace Steve, I'll never hear a Kinks song without thinking of you. 


05/12/23 12:49 PM #2    

Megan Bueschel

Kevin, this is a beautiful tribute. I didn't know Steve, but feel proud to have been in the same graduating class as him just reading your heartfelt words. Thank you for telling this part of his story. Our class produced many extraordinary people. Movers & Shakers, Givers & Inventors.  Thank you to all those who post tributes so we can celebrate and appreciate every one of them. 

Rest peacefully Steve as your good works clearly made an impact and will carry on as your legacy. 


05/13/23 07:43 AM #3    

Mary Jane Kupsky (Kupsky)

Everything Megan said.  Ditto!

Mary Jane


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