9-29-11 Universal Athletic met at the Cannery in Bozeman following a funeral service and reception for our friend and coworker Steve Weil to have a Rainier (his favorite beer). Steve was with Universal Athletic for over 35 years. He is missed dearly.

~Steven Richard Weil, 1952-2011~

Steven Richard Weil, 59, of Bozeman passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. He was born March 31, 1952, in Lake Forest, Ill., to parents, Richard Herbert and Dorothy Jones Weil.

Steve grew up in Winnetka, Ill., with his sisters, Sally DeForest and Nancy Castino, and step-siblings, Andie Sheaffer, Fran Anderson and Robert Bartholomay. An Eagle Scout and avid pursuer of mischief, he graduated from New Trier East High School in 1970 and attended several years of college in New Jersey.

Steve moved out West to continue his study of skiing, eventually finding Bozeman, and he never left. He met his future wife, Janice Kaye Frise, in Jackson Hole, Wyo., and they were married in June 1977. They raised their son, Matthew Steven Weil, together in Bozeman until Janice passed away in 1988. Through the generous help of numerous family and friends, Steve continued to raise Matt as a single parent through high school and was proud to see him off to college in 2000.

An ardent supporter of Bozeman High athletics for many years, even after Matt had long since gone on to college, Steve also supported the Special Olympics through athlete coaching and area games coordination. Whether cheering the MSU Bobcats in person or watching his Chicago Bears on TV, Steve was a passionate sports fan and was always ready to talk about the latest stats. A loyal Universal Athletic employee for over 35 years, Steve was humbled to receive the Dick Harte award in 2010 in recognition of his service to the company and his commitment to others. Those who know him best would agree that over the last few years he has been exceedingly happy with Debbi Tysse by his side, having recently returned from a week-long family reunion in South Carolina.

Steve is survived by his son, Matthew (Paige); his sister, Sally (Richard) and her children, Paul (Joanne) and Sara; and his sister, Nancy and her children, Steven (Brooke), Timothy, and Kelly.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, and by his wife.