The Stovebolt Site Forums The Back Office The Passing Lane - Stovebolt Memorials Steve "Oldsub" Hanberg :: January 1, 2011

Today I recieved a call which had me flip my truck around and race over to Harborview Hospital in Seattle. Steve or Oldsub as he's known to many around the various old car sites was currently unconscious, and I was told that it may be best to say my goodbyes today. Barring any sort of miracles, it sounds like this is the end. He had been battling cancer for some time now and succumbed to an infection of some sort. I didn't want to bother his wife to get the details as they really don't seem to matter now. What matters is we're all losing a good friend and family man.

For those of you who don't know him, he's one of the most kind hearted folks you'd meet. Whether looking at a pristinely restored GM vehicle or one with rust holes large enough to stick your foot through, he loved them all and always saw potential.

I really don't know what to say as I'm really disheartened at the news. He was like a father to me in some ways, offering good advice and listening when needed. I have a lot of respect for him. He did get to spend this christmas with his family and at least he had grown most of his beard back by now!

It's been a tough day on all of us. I also feel so much grief for his wife and kids, who've stood beside him through all of this.

I thought it best to post this for those members who called him friend and haven't heard any news in awhile. It's not my place to say, but I ask that you not contact his wife, out of respect for her grieving, unless you wish to offer condolences only.

I'm sure this isn't the appropriate forum to post this news, but I feel it best since most of the people he may have helped frequent here regularly. Maybe it can get kicked through some of his most frequnted forums before dissappearing.

Thanks for listening. May he be remembered.

Jeff Erickson

Jeff,

Thanks for posting - I also got a call this evening from a mutual friend of Steve's and mine. I echo Jeff's caution about contacting the family - they are surrounded by a large group of supportive folks at present.

Steve contracted a staff infection a week or so ago and his condition has deteriorated rapidly.

He is no longer cognoscente of what is going on around him and he is on life support, at this point he is not expected to last through the weekend.

I have a number of interesting connections with Steve - I first met him 15 years ago when he did some contract IT work for me when I was starting my business. I didn't know him from Adam but kidded around with him as he pulled an all-niter in the thriving metropolis of Yacolt getting software installed, e-mail clients working etc.

A few years later, we connected here via. the Stovebolt page and I realized that he was the same guy that had helped me set up my first small business server.

Steve has purchased a number of old truck parts from me and has been to my house a few times. During one visit, he mentioned that he graduated from Multnomah School of the Bible (as did my wife and several of my friends). It didn't take long to figure out that we shared a common faith in Christ and despite the fact that we lived 180 miles from one another we had a lot of friends in common.

As such, we stayed in contact and we rarely missed an opportunity to cruise the Portland Swap together as well as attend the ATHS show in Shelton a few times together.

When we talked about different things, he kept figuring out additional people that we both knew. That was the thing about Steve, he knew a lot of people, he talked about their cars/trucks, about their kids and what they did for a living. Steve connected with folks in a genuine way that most people don't.

Steve and his family are devoted Christians and Steve has expressed confidence in knowing that ultimately he is headed to a much better place. I have enjoyed getting to know Steve over the years - he will be missed.

It feels awkward to write about Steve as if he is already gone. I look forward to reconnecting again in heaven.

Ken Brown
Yacolt, WA

That is sad news indeed. I didn't know Steve personally but we have a lot in common in our medical conditions. I have emailed him words of encouragement through this ordeal. I'm sorry to hear he has taken a turn for the worse.

Thoughts and prayers are going out to Steve and his family. The fight isn't over till it's over. From everything I have read about Steve, he will pick himself up and knock the cancer out in the 10th round. Positive thoughts and prayers.

I didn't know Steve but always read his posts with interest. I didn't know he was ill so this is a surprise. Prayers are headed to him and his family.

I didn't know him, but if he's still alive I'm pulling for him.

Gosh, I am so sorry to hear this. Steve has been with us for such a long time. He is one of the few people that I actually have a phone number on my call sheet for. We've talked a few times on the phone long, long ago. He's been a huge help to many people on the site.

Please keep us informed of his status. We will keep him and his family in our prayers.

Thanks,
Peggy

Jeff has let us know that Steve has passed. Please stand by for details.

Regards,
John

On behalf of the entire Hanberg family I just wanted to stop by and say thanks to all of you who were pulling for my brother Steve. I am a member of some motorcycle related forums and know first hand how friends from these forums can become like family. I especially wanted to thank Jeff and Danny for their help and support during the days following Steve's passing. It is a high honor not only to know Steve but to be related to such a great guy! I will miss him for now.

God Bless,

Paul

Although I did not know Steve, I am sure he answered some of my dumb questions in the beginning. I am sorry to hear of his passing and wish you and the rest of the family my condolences.

We'll miss him here at Stovebolt. Even though most of us only knew him by his handle, he was appreciated as a Stovebolt "brother". Thanks for signing in to address us Paul.
Builder

I know he answered a few of my questions when I first got my truck. Will miss his knowledge and wisdom. My thoughts go out to the family.

Paul, thank you for taking the time to talk to us.
As the guys say,Steve was a stalwart here at the 'bolt.
He and his wisdom will be sadly missed.

My condolences to you and your family.

Thanks Paul, my condolences to you and the rest of the family.

I can't add anything to what's already been said.
Please accept our deepest sympathies.

We miss him Paul. Like so many I never had the opportunity to meet him in person but he was a respected presence here on the 'bolt.

Dittos to all of the above and thank you for stopping by - I bet Steve would have appreciated it.

Paul, thank you for stopping by, so very sorry for your loss and we will miss Steve's presence on the board...

He was surely a driving force here and will be missed
Dan

He will be missed for sure.
The GMC suburban in the video,was the one he said"was the sister to my suburban".

Tim

I just learned that Steve Hanberg of Seattle passed away on New Years Day from complications of Leukemia. I never met him in person, but had communication with him over the years through the Stovebolt Page.
One thing that really impressed me was how he would gather the neighborhood teenagers on a Saturday when he had a vehicle to dismantle for parts. Some of these kids had never touched a wrench or torch before, but by days end the remnants would be gone on a salvage truck, a great lunch had been provided, and some teenagers had new skills and confidence. RIP 'OldSub'.

Jim Bow sent us Steve's obit (no longer available at this update - 2024). What a great write-up. They even talk about his trucks!

We knew Steve was a great guy. Apparently a lot of folks felt the same. Glad we had a chance to know him from the site.

Look forward to meeting him at a "future GABFest"

Peg

I haven't been on here in a-while, just found out about this sad news.
He always had good things to say, it's too bad we lost him, he was way too young.
I hope his family is doing ok.
Tim

us old guys are fading away.

Godspeed Steve.

I always enjoyed Steve's posts.

I would tell the rest of you to do your best to meet the people of the Stovebolt forum. The connections I have made here have certainly proven to be worthwhile friendships to me.

Here's to you Oldsub.

Builder, you said a mouth full. I sure have met, personally and on the phone, many good, well make that GREAT bolters. I didn't get to meet Oldsub but I know from everyone's testament of him that he was a great guy. I wish I had know him as well as many of you. RIP Steve.

The following was posted by GMONIZ after this forum was established. This thread was posted in General Truck ealier this year.



Steve was such a major contributor to the site, we felt many would want to know of he has gone "to where moths and vermin can not destroy, and where no thieves break in and steal.. "




Peg

Steve was surely a driving force and frequent contributer to help us all here and will be missed

god speed and he won't get any more tickets driving them olden rigs anywhere he wants.

jim and caroline