Steven Justis Payne

Steven Justis Payne, age 73, died at home on October 2. Steve grew up in the San Luis Valley of Colorado where his parents farmed potatoes and barley and owned a potato shipping warehouse, Rio Grande Produce. During his childhood he loved riding horses, fly fishing in the high mountain lakes of Colorado, and downhill skiing. He graduated from Monte Vista High School where he was a three sport athlete: football, basketball, and wrestling. In his adventuresome years, he rode bucking horses at local rodeos, climbed mountains, and herded sheep on horseback one summer on Uminak Island in the Aleutians of Alaska. Steve earned his architecture degree at the University of Colorado and went back to Alaska for his first job in that field. From there he moved on to Seattle and then settled back in Boulder, Colorado, where he met his wife Eva who taught the aerobic fitness class he started attending at the North Boulder Recreation Center. The pull of the land and farming never left Steve. When he started his career at CH2M Hill in the summer of 1985, he and Eva settled on the outskirts of Corvallis where he had an ambitious and productive garden, a small orchard, sheep, pigs, and big black Australorp hens. Raising three active children, Steve passed on his love of canoeing and fishing in the Alsea River, exploring river kayaking, refereeing soccer games, and hiking in the Cascades. Facing middle age, he took up distance running, completing many marathons and ultra-marathons. He walked the entire distance of the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada one summer, and during another summer, walked across England on the Hadrian’s Wall path. Steve is survived by his wife of 43 years, Eva, son Zachary of Gilbert, AZ, son Thomas of Winthrop, WA, and daughter Katherine of Bothell, WA. He is predeceased by two beloved yellow labs: Latte and Rio; and his favorite cat: Herman, found in and named after the Herman Creek Wilderness. A gathering in remembrance of Steve is planned for December 02, 2023. The family has reserved the Lodge at Peavy Arboretum from 2-3:30 pm for sharing memories and comfort. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to your local food bank. Steve was a regular contributor to the South Corvallis Food Bank.

Steven Justis Payne

April 12, 1950 - October 2, 2023