Stephen Richard Love's Obituary
Stephen Richard Love, 63, of Plano, was born on April 9, 1954, at the United States Air Force Hospital, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. On March 16, 2018, he suffered a fatal heart attack. He was the firstborn child of Arthur George and Catherine Virginia Love. Stephen was raised Roman Catholic and his parents let their children choose their own middle names when they received their first communion. Steve decided on “Richard” as his middle name, which later on in life led to his nickname, “S.R.”Steve was married for 40 years to Mary Frances “Meffie” (Allen) Love. They grew up as military brats in Woodbridge, Virginia, attended high school together, and started dating during their college years. At Woodbridge Senior High School, Steve was a scholar athlete and played football, wrestled, and ran track. After high school, he received a four-year wrestling scholarship to George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. While attending George Mason from 1972-1976, he majored in Geography and Cartography, tapping into his love of maps and his knowledge about places, people, and cultures.In 1976, after wrestling season, Steve and some teammates ventured out to the rugby practice field one day to see what that sport was all about and that led to Steve playing rugby for 14 years. He initially played among the “backs”, but over time, he found his spot among the “forwards” on the “front row” in the hooker position. Steve loved throwing the ball in for line-outs and hooking the ball back in the scrum. Throughout the years, Steve played rugby for George Mason Rugby Football Club (RFC), the Pittsburgh Harlequins RFC, Whitemarsh RFC, Philadelphia Whitemarsh RFC, and Northern Virginia RFC. During his club rugby career, Steve served as Match Secretary and President for his various clubs as well as President of the Allegheny Rugby Union and Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union.Steve worked for New York Life Insurance Company for 39 years total – 1 year as an Agent and 38 years as an Administrative Manager. Steve and his family experienced multiple relocations with New York Life, including Pittsburgh; Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.; Purchase, New York; Connecticut; and Dallas, Texas.While Steve’s sons were growing up, he was involved in quite a few of their activities: YMCA Indian Guides, youth soccer coach, and as a devoted ice hockey team manager for son Patrick’s various teams as well as website manager for the Texas Aces Hockey Club. Steve loved rooting for Patrick at all levels of his ice hockey career including keeping many statistics for the teams. He also cheered on son Derek during his Plano East Football seasons. Derek played with Plano Rugby his senior year of high school and Steve coached the “tight five” – the front 5 players in the rugby scrum.Steve retired from New York Life in May 2017 and was able to reflect on his life’s work. He enjoyed training other administrative managers and mentoring many others throughout the company. He was known for his polite, cheerful personality and willingness to stop and assist NYL agents and managers when needed. He developed an expertise in David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” productivity methodology and held numerous training sessions to share his knowledge with colleagues. Steve and his Team Dallas were known for providing exemplary customer-focused service for 360+ full-time New York Life agents and 30 management members, and won numerous awards within New York Life, including Steve winning Administrative Manager of the Year within his Zone multiple years.Besides the love for his family and for New York Life, Steve had a special level of wisdom and served many times as a life adviser when people needed someone to listen. He had a brilliant mind and was a voracious reader. He always had his Kindle handy and read mostly fiction – spy/intrigue novels and westerns were among his favorites. He couldn’t carry a tune, but he had a knack for finding great music by little known musical artists. He loved all kinds of sports, especially his Texas Rangers, the Dallas Stars, and yes, he even converted from being a Washington Redskins fan to a Dallas Cowboys fan. He was a great cook, taught his sons to cook, and loved to eat quality food. Steve was known for his quick smile and his hearty belly laugh. He loved the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where Steve, Meffie and their boys spent many summer vacations at the former Allen Family A-Frame in Colington Harbour, located on Albemarle Sound and nestled amongst live oak trees. Steve did many maintenance projects on the house throughout the years and loved sitting on the back deck, enjoying the serene surroundings while reading many books.Steve is survived by his wife, Mary Frances (Allen) Love; sons Patrick Love and Derek Love (fiancée Allison Bowers); siblings Jim Anderson (Carol), Lisa Anderson, Theresa Kauffman (Storm), Tom Love (Carmen), Jerry Love (Ann); nieces Shannon, Robyn, Connie, Maerna, Sulleen, Erika, Tori, and Katie, nephews Jon (Rachel and children), Dave, and Peter (his godson); and his goddaughter, Sara Stafford Burgess. Steve’s Allen family in-laws were very dear to him, including his father-in-law Colonel (Ret) Eugene W. Allen, Phyllis Harper (Walt), Carole Lechleitner (Matt), Ginny Allen, Gene Allen, Andrea Baker (Brian), Joseph Allen, and his Allen nephews, nieces, and grands. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur George and Catherine Virginia Love; a newborn sister, Margaret Love; and his mother-in-law, Claire Reno Allen.A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 421 Custer Road, Richardson, Texas. Steve only wore ties when absolutely necessary, so ties and jackets are optional for men. Please wear something blue – Steve’s favorite color.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Living for Zachary: www.livingforzachary.org.
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