Steve was a military brat before graduating from Lakes High School and then WWU before returning to the area to work as a journalist first in Lakewood and University Place, when those cities formed. He then helped found the Lakewood Historical Society, co-authored two books about the city and served on its Heritage Advisory Board. He then started working in Tacoma, where he is a member of several fraternal and historical efforts when he isn't writing articles or books, instructing at Pierce College or teaching in Tacoma schools. His most recent co-authoring produced a historical book about McNeil Island.