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Steve Lutsch

September 22 1955 - June 01 2022

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Michael Malone uploaded photo(s)

Sunday, June 12, 2022

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A Tribute to Steve Lutsch, 1955 - 2022 I first met Steve in 1997 when he approached me looking for a local shop to sell Valley and Nigel Dennis Kayaks that he distributed in Canada. This led to our long friendship and his significant help in establishing our new paddlesports division at Pelee Wings Nature Store in Leamington ON. I was his in-the-water dummy countless times as he demonstrated assisted rescue techniques to students while he was offering BCU kayak training courses for Great River Outfitters, MI, at Point Pelee National Park and at Rondeau Provincial Park in southern Ontario. He invited me on various kayak tours he led on Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, Lake Erie and on the Detroit River. I in turn invited him on tours to Gwaii Hannas National Park on the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia, and to the Sea of Cortes in Baja California Sur, Mexico. I never became the accomplished kayaker while holding on to a camera in big waves that Steve was but I managed to snap some photos of him at work and play on our tours. I was but one of thousands of paddlers that became passionate for kayaking under the guidance of this very accomplished pro instructor, excellent photographer, lecturer, writer, storyteller, Great Lakes historian and family loving gentleman. Thanks Steve for all you gave so that we too could explore our beautiful water covered planet safely. Condolences to Ingrid, Peter and Stephanie. Michaell Malone

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Thomas Minkewich lit a candle

Saturday, June 11, 2022

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Sincere condolences to Ingrid,Peter and families. Tom Minkewich

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Tammy Kapsalis uploaded photo(s)

Saturday, June 11, 2022

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First time I met Steve was on the Freedom Festival paddle. Paddling in the Montreal canoe myself and who comes flying by on his motorized boat hanging half way off snapping photos…Sir Steve Lutsch! From then on whenever I was near water, many a time I’d hear “ Hey kid, what do ya got going on here?”. Steve’s energy, knowledge and stories were endless. My condolences to Ingrid, Peter and the family. Understand that Steve’s energy force will be with you forever and his zest for life should be celebrated.

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Teresa Read lit a candle

Saturday, June 11, 2022

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Please accept my condolences. This is such a profound loss. Steve was clearly loved and admired by so many. I loved his posts and always learned so much. He built a great community that will hold him close to their hearts. Warmth and love to Ingrid and the family. Alan and I have you in our thoughts during this difficult time.

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Alan Wechsler posted a condolence

Saturday, June 11, 2022

Like many here, I was helped by Steve in ways that ensured he was n my mind almost every time I launched my kayak. Being relatively new to sea kayaking in early 2015 (only one full season under me) was ready to upgrade my boat and a few conversations with Steve proved more valuable than anything any dealer could have done for me. The only problem was that nobody in Canada sold that brand and the few that were up here were most definitely not for sale. I scoured the used marketplace for weeks, and asked Steve about listings that seemed good. None of them measured up. And then one popped up in Gary Indiana. Forwarded the listing to Steve. “That’s the one”, he said. And he was, as usual, 100% bang-on correct. Not just about one aspect. The whole thing. Every little bit of it. I bought it, loved it, was challenged by it, still own it and will probably never sell it. All because of Steve. My story is far from unique. Steve’s love for paddling was only exceeded by his love of people who cared about Canada, cared about natural beauty, cared about the safety and the wellbeing of others. A huge heart backed with practical experience. One of a kind when it comes to knowing how and where to draw the line between people who could most benefit from his help and people who thought they knew better (as IF, hahahahaha!). A good man, a decent man, one helluva paddler, and an inspirational paddling leader. There are and have been lots of good paddlers but there is only one Steve. And he will never be replaced, which is why I and others will never be quite the same again. But every time we head out for a paddle we can carry his memory along for the ride. I sure will. Love ya, Steve.

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Roger Renaud posted a condolence

Saturday, June 11, 2022

My sincere condolences to Ingrid, Peter and family. I had the pleasure of meeting Steve 5 years ago. He was an incredibly positive person. May you RIP my friend.

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Ian Bickle posted a condolence

Friday, June 10, 2022

Sincere condolences to Ingrid, Peter and family, Many fond memories of our families meeting and becoming great friends at Killbear Provincial Park and ensuing adventures.This continued on through the years as your parents had a cottage three doors down on Kushog Lake in Haliburton area. He truly had his canoeing techniques well underway which he perfected and to what he has accomplished. I will miss your laugh and our talks my friend. You truly are a " Someone to everyone ". Until our next adventure ... Ian Bickle

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Christine and Frank uploaded photo(s)

Friday, June 10, 2022

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I remember I was sad to hear that my childhood friend Ingrid would move to Canada because she fell in love with some Canadian nature loving guy over there. In the following years I went to visit a couple of times – with a friend, my brother and later with my husband Frank and my nephew (as a graduation gift). Steve would tell us all about fishflies and a lot about Point Pelee and arranged boat trips. He showed us some of the beauty of Canada and went kayaking with us. We had a wonderful stay with Steve, Ingrid and Peter in Tobermory over Canada Day in 2007 - then the “perpetual puppy” was with us as well (in his live jacket – which he would also need to wear to go swimming in the pool at their home). When we were visiting with Christian, my godson, in 2016, Steve was so wonderful to arrange a camping tour “for the boys” in Algonquin Parc. Frank and Christian still talk about “barking spiders” (and remember to have about 20 eggs for breakfast). As I (and later my husband as well) live in the same town as Ingrid’s parents, we had the pleasure to meet Steve, Ingrid (and Peter) a lot during their stays in Germany. We used to have BBQs or just sit together talking on our terrace or drove around and showed Steve German places. Another famous words of Steve are “Schmeckt gut mit Käse” – no matter what it was, Steve said “tastes good with cheese” (even those really ugly spiders). It was Steve who loved the nickname of Frank’s mobile phone and would repeat it during one of their stays in Germany again and again: “Schnubbeldubbel”. We also loved him saying “Bernkastel-Kues” (= town in Germany, we once visited with him and Ingrid) - which really is hard to pronounce correctly for non-native Germans. We were shocked to learn that Steve has passed away. We will miss him a lot – Ingrid’s and his place will never be the same again. Our thoughts are with Ingrid and Peter these days. We will do whatever we can to help and support them. R.I.P. Steve!

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Tom Brandau posted a condolence

Friday, June 10, 2022

I have had the opportunity to paddle and trip with Steve in the past. He was always upbeat and fun to be with. A great guy in so many ways. Always there to make peoples lives more pleasant. I am very happy to have had the pleasure to spend the time I did with Steve. An outstanding paddler and accomplished in many ways. Generally a great human being. My condolences to his family. Very sorry for the loss of this fine man.

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Andrea GrimmMoog posted a condolence

Thursday, June 9, 2022

RIP Steve. Condolences to Ingrid, Peter & Family

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Ron Drouillard posted a condolence

Thursday, June 9, 2022

To Steve’s family, you have my deepest sympathy at your lose , I was a shop teacher at W.D. Lowe where Steve went to school. When Steve found out I was studying boat design, it was lighting a fire under him. He wanted to know everything i could tell him about it. Many conversations between the two of us up until the time where i was transferred to Monarch High School. I left teaching and eventually went to GM transmission plant where I met with Steve again. My son wanted to get into kayaking so I told him he would have talk to Steve. They met up and he bought one of Steve’s racing kayaks . Steve was a one of a kind a person and that if you are lucky you meet once in your life. GOOD PADDLING MY FRIEND. Ron Drouillard

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Ken Hedgewick posted a condolence

Thursday, June 9, 2022

So sorry to hear of your loss Ingrid. I will say a prayer for Steve and may he rest in peace.

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Mike Aubin posted a condolence

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Condolences to Ingrid and family, I am unable to attend service Saturday. I always enjoyed conversations with Steve, he was smart, funny and opinionated which I respect. He also had that hair he donated and rocked the Patrick Swayze mullet back in the 80s! He will be missed!

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Kendal posted a condolence

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Steve was one of the very best human beings I have ever met or ever hope to meet. I am sad for the loss to Ingrid and Peter, for the loss to the world, and for myself for the loss of my sensei. I am grateful to have had such an outstanding role model and friend. All who knew Steve are better for having had that privilege.

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Paige lit a candle

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

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My sincere condolences to Ingrid, Peter, and family. Steve was a great man and friend to my dad, Brent. May God rest his soul and bless the hearts of those closest to him.

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Susanne Specht posted a condolence

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Without any words So sad the Oma from Budenheim

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Todd Cox posted a condolence

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

So sorry to hear of Steve’s passing . I bumped into him at the Shoppers a few weeks back and had a great conversation. I lived on Steve’s street back in the day and always admired his love of his property and his requests of me to have some added patrol during Devils Night lol. Rest easy Steve and my sincere condolences to Ingrid and family.

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Sharon Clark lit a candle

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

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Through the years I have always known Steve to be a kind and generous soul. He was an adventurous person who loved traveling, especially by kayak. The only way I could keep up with him was if we were in the same boat, such as a Montreal Canoe. A gifted writer, photographer and painter, he often shared his stories in some of the publications I was working on. Whether a day paddle or a longer trip, Steve was an amazing group contributor and sound leader and I'll always have fond memories of those times.

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Vicki Schroeder lit a candle

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

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Altho I only met Steve once, like many others, I felt like I knew him. I enjoyed his many posts on Facebook whether it be about paddling, politics, or personal. (Hmm, the three 'P's".) His presence will be greatly missed. It was obvious he made the most of the years that he had. Rest in Peace, Steve. Cheers!

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Ted East lit a candle

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

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After Steve spent days of kayaking the Georgian Bay Islands near Killarney Ontario an enjoyable night inside the oldest pub on the north shore of Lake Huron. It was nice to touch base with Steve

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Michael Rudell posted a condolence

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

I am so very sorry for the loss of Steve. He was a great man and a beautiful soul. He encouraged and mentored many kayakers, including me. I'll miss him dearly on our beloved Detroit River.

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Martin Williams posted a condolence

Monday, June 6, 2022

It was a privilege just to have known Steve, it was a greater honour to have shared his friendship over the years. Of all his many and varied qualities one will stand out in my lasting memory, his capacity to give. Give of his time, knowledge, expertise across so many fields, resources and yes his personal friendship. Steve neither asked for nor expected anything in return. His ‘silent’ leadership, on our many adventures, defined him as it had one his heroes, an intrepid explorer Ernest Shackleton. Shackleton once wrote “I believe it is in our nature to explore, to reach out into the unknown”. Steve embraced that dogma throughout his life. Some of us were fortunate beneficiaries of his vision and enthusiasm. Fortunately he has left behind rich memories, stories and even a few bad “dad” jokes ! Thank you, Steve, for everything. Martin & Sharon

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The family of Steve Lutsch uploaded a photo

Monday, June 6, 2022

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