Steve created the Dark Optimist website just before he passed away in 2004 with the following mission statement: Turning dreams into reality (and ideally making a buck at the same time) is what Dark Optimist Media is all about--it is here that ambitions are leveraged into becoming reality.

We, the members of his family have given this site a new mission statement: This site is dedicated to the memory of its founder-creator, Steven Scott Howard. To share some of his thoughts, travels, and life. We will remember Steve for as long as we live.

We have revised and updated this site in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Steve's passing. Please enjoy the new materials.

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This is one of our favorite photos of Susan and our two sons, Jonathan and Steve Howard. We have shared many more photos and we continue to add more and more. Please click on one of the photo pages to the left to see more. Check back to see if we have added a picture with you in it if you are a family member.

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Steve lived in Las Vegas with his cat Rufina nicknamed Roofy (Sometimes spelled Rufy or Ruffy.) He had a gentle touch with animals. Roofy was a social outcast among her cat brothers and sisters. Steve took her in and they were great friends. Read more about Steve and Rufina in Las Vegas in the Gap article to the left.

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This is one of the last photos we have of Steve. It was taken in San Antonio, Texas in March 2004 where we were on a visit to meet his long lost aunt, Nancy Lancaster, and his long lost first cousin Cheri Hardin and her husband Tim. Here Steve has just picked a mother's day present. I had asked him if he was sure she would like it. He gave me the big smile and said, I know my Mom, I know she'll like it. He shipped it to her. Of course she liked it.

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Steve loved to entertain people. He loved to mentor people and encourage them to live their dreams. He was a middle school teacher by profession but he loved to act and to write. He was an active member of Toastmasters for a while and finished very high in a regional humours speech contest among others. He was an actor in several student filmes and was a member of a semi-professional improv group in Las Vegas.

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Steve was an avid San Jose Sharks Hockey fan. He was an eternal optimist and was always sure they would win the Stanley cup every year. For several years we had season tickets and went to every home game. In 2004 the Sharks for the first time ever went to the third round of the playoffs. He came home to see Calgary beat the Sharks (Tues May 11, 2004 and again Thurs May 13, 2004). We had a wonderful visit and he flew back to Las Vegas. Saturday night May 15, 2004, the Sharks beat Calgary in Calgary. We were on the phone most of the game. The next game would be Monday, May 17, 2004, in Calgary. We talked on the phone and he was sure they would win out the series and go on and take the Stanley cup. He passed away later that Monday with that belief. Alas, the Sharks lost to Calgary.

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Steve was Smart and Well Educated. He received double B.A. degrees from the University of Southern California one in history and the other in political science. He had to attend two separate ceremonies and receive each diploma in a separate line. He went on to receive a double teaching credential from San Jose State University one to teach middle school and the other to teach English as a second language. -- All this additional education was completed after his bout with his brain tumor.

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(1991) Steve with his dog after he had been diagnosed as Manic Depressive but before anyone knew he had a brain tumor causing the problem. The symptoms of his brain tumor apparently gave the doctor he visited in Santa Monica the impression that he was bi-polar. Unfortunately, the medications did him no good. He got worse and worse. Read about his Mania.

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Steve recounts his Elko experience. He apparently had a brain seizure while driving by here. He went off the road and banged his head. He was taken to the Elko Hospital where they diagnosed him as falling asleep while driving. He spent a week in an Elko motel recovering while having endless terrifying hallucinations. He referred to this experience as being Elko'd. (1991).

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Steve worked with Tom Campbell on one of his successful campaigns for Congress in 1996 or 1998. He worked as an unpaid volunteer but had some really good experiences. He was able to have one on one conversations with his candidate that gave him great insights. This moderate Republican found the Republicans in Congress being forced too far to the right.

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Steve Discovered he had a Brain Tumor in 1991 Here he has just returned home from brain surgery. They had shaved his head and opened his scalp with an incision that went over the top of his head from ear to ear. They put the scalp back together with metal staples. He looked like his face was stapled on. Always with a sense of humor, he felt he looked like robo-cop escapee from Devils Island. His Infirmities Changed his life, his outlook and his ideals. -- He fought back, finished his education and became a middle school teacher on a mission.

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This website is the work of Steve's parents:

Susan and Dave Howard. We are responsible for the content.

You can contact us at dshoward(at sign)usa.net