Steven Meyer Blocher 1951-2010
Husband, father, brother, pastor, missionary, counselor, teacher, fisherman and friend. Steve Blocher went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 13.
The eldest child of Robert and Mary Jean Blocher, Steve Blocher was called to follow Jesus Christ in his early 20s, working in the fields of Northern California. He met the Forgy family of Yuba City through First Methodist Church and eventually they allowed him to meet their daughter, Janelle. They were soon married and the two of them would spend the next 34 years together sharing Christ’s love with others, raising three children, four dogs, two cockatiels and going wherever in the world they were called to serve the Lord.
Steve Blocher
Steve’s ministry began in youth groups in Yuba City. But a calling in missions and outreach would lead him and Janelle from Alaska (First Presbyterian, Anchorage) down to his family’s base in California’s Central Valley (First Presbyterian, Bakersfield), on to positions in Cairo, Egypt (Heliopolis Community Church) and Mussoorie, India (Woodstock Christian International School) before bringing them to Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church. A lifelong student, Steve studied at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Selly Oak Colleges in the UK, the American University of Cairo and Fuller Seminary in Pasadena (M.Div. and D.Min.).
Steve loved the outdoors, he loved to travel and he loved to share the wonder of God’s creation with others. Whether hiking the Tahoe basin, horseback riding around the Great Pyramids in Giza or piling his family into an Ambassador taxi for a journey across India, Steve knew wonder was best shared with others. The Blocher family home was a regular stop on many travelers’ and missionaries’ journeys wherever it was in the world. The Blochers’ home was often filled with the smell of Steve’s chicken on the barbecue, the sound of his beautiful voice singing along to his amazing guitar playing and the love of Jesus that he would share with any who would listen.
Steve is survived by his wife, Janelle of South Lake Tahoe; daughter Kristin of Sacramento; sons Ryan and Eric of Qingdao, China; and Eric’s wife, Song. He is also survived by his sisters, Janice Stovall and her husband John, Patricia Orth and her husband Bob, Nancy Greenman and her husband Greg, Janelle’s sisters Huntyce Moore, Jeanine and her husband Walter White, Alisan and her husband Brent Hastey, many nieces and nephews and many brothers and sisters in Jesus. He is predeceased by his parents and many others glad this good and faithful servant is home with them today in Heaven.
— Provided by the Blocher family
Publisher’s note: Steve Blocher was minister of the South Lake Tahoe church since 1996. Services are slated for Sunday at 11:30am at the Presbyterian Church in South Lake Tahoe.
We all morn the lost of this wonderful man
Steve was a wonderful man, a wonderful pastor and a wonderful friend. My family and I will miss him very much.
What a wonderful neighbor. It was always such a pleasure to stop and chat with him on his daily walks or mine. I will miss him.
Steve will be greatly missed by all of us at Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church and his many friends in Tahoe. John and I will miss hearing Steve play the guitar and the many sing a longs at Forklifters.
Steve, was my brother-in-Christ. He was a pastor’s pastor. He understood the heart of people and suffered with those who hurt as well as celebrating with the joys of those God called him to. He was deeply in love with Jesus Christ and many more than can be counted to experience the same. Wherever Steve served the kingdom of God was evident. The Presbytery of Nevada and the Church at large has lost a great pillar, but the kingdom of heaven is rejoicing at Steve’s homecoming. Trusting in Jesus Christ as Steve did we look forward to the day of reunion with him in God’s presence.
The Rev. Bruce Kochsmeier
Moderator
Presbytery of Nevada
I feel so blessed to have had Steve as my Pastor and both Steve & Janelle as my friends. I will never forget the first time I heard him play the guitar & sing in church, The song was “Shout To The Lord”, let us all thank God for Steve.
I am one of the youth that Steve blessed 30 years ago during his first pastorate in Anchorage, Alaska. I had the privilege of seeing him live out his roles as a pastor, a husband, a father and a friend. He was a unique and wonderful man. He was also a key reason I am a pastor today.
I rejoice in his life and the gift he was to me and so many others.
God bless Janelle, Ryan, Kristin and Eric!
Though I didn’t know Steve in his pastorate in SLT, I did know of him and Janelle through the youth program at the First Methodist Church of Yuba City. My pastor in Carson City, Bruce Kochsmeier, has spoken often of Steve whom he held in very high esteem. I’m sure all who knew him will miss his presence in their midst. We’ll hold Janelle and the family in our prayers.
What a shame I missed the opportunity to get to know this wonderful person. I went to service in SLT a few times, but didnt seem to “connect” with the church. I was sort of lost I guess..
It wasnt until I went to a memorial service for Don Hall (a truly wonderful friend and neighbor) and listened to Pastor Blocher speak about Don-very wonderful and thoughtful. What came across to me was a man that had a deep love for his church and his parishioners. He touched my heart that day! My sincere condolences to his family and his church!
Steve Blocher was a gift from God and I was blessed to have known him. Steve was voice of reason and wisdom in his ministry. It was a joy to work along side him in the Nevada Presbytery. I will always think of Steve as a friend. My prayers are with Janelle and all of Steve’s family as well as the congregation in South Lake Tahoe as they greive this amazing man.
RIP Steve Blocher. I just heard about this tonight and the reality hasn’t sunk in yet. All I can see is this is a great man gone too soon. I will see everyone this Sunday to pay my last respects….
Steve is an especially bright spot in the Kingdom of God. While among us on this earth his love for his Lord and for people shone brightly, even during the difficult days of his recent illness. “Well done” is surely sounding in the heavenlies. May our great Comforter hold Janelle and their family in an enduring embrace.
Steve was alo my brother in Christ and fellow pastor. He clearly loved his Lord, his wife, his family, his parish and God’s wonderful world. Our loives have been enriched by knowing him and now rejoice that he has heard the words: “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter now into the kingdom prepared for you.” Welcome home, Steve.
If ever there were a couple to model my life after, it was Steve and Janelle. While this life for those who are still here will never be the same, I know that the Almighty Creator whose wonders never cease has called Steve home to see even greater wonders in heaven. The privilege has been ours — we are truly blessed to have been witnesses to this life.
“”For all the saints who from their labors rest, Who Thee, by faith, before the world confessed Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed. Alleluia Alleluia!”
Steve ran the race with conviction and compassion. Thanks be to God for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life because of the grace of God shared by this man’s faithful witness.
A sparrow fell to earth on October 13, 2010. God saw (as he always does). He scooped him up in His hands and holds him, gently but firmly. He’s taken our sparrow (Steven) to Heaven, where there is no more pain or suffering. God, in his infinite wisdom, put Steve in my life (as well as Janelle, Kristen, Ryan and Eric), for many reasons, some of which are known only to God. I am blessed and greatful for the ministry, friendship, and hope that I have received from knowing Steve Blocher and his family. I pray for the Lord’s peace and comfort for Janelle and family.
I have lost a dear friend and colleague.
Steve and Janelle are my daughter Karina’s God parents. Our family was blessed to have Steve perform both of our childrens baptisms and my grandparents memorial service. Steve and his lovely family greatly strengthened our faith and are true examples of the peace and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I only know Mr. Blocher through two of his children. From what they have accomplished and from what they have said of him, I know he was a great man and will be missed.
I will greatly miss Steve he was a mentor,a friend and a brother. My life changed when our paths of life crossed. My heart goes out to Janelle, Kristen, Eric & Ryan for thier loss. Steve is now at peace and watching over us. I wish I would have had more time with him. He made everything seem O.K. Godspeed
“The righteous parish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find as they lie in death” Isiah 57 1-2
Steve was a good man who touch many in our community. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers with his family at this difficult time
Lord, Thank You for letting me know Steve. He was Your gift to me at a time when I needed to know that being a Christian was cool, that church was a blessing, and that there were Christian songs that weren’t written in the hymnbook! He helped me to know that I had the choice of who I would become and he made me want to follow You. There is no better gift You could have given me as a teen. I ask You to wrap his beautiful family in Your arms of love and give them the peace and comfort that only You can give. Thank You. Amen
I found this church while on a family reunion in Lake Tahoe. The reunion had gone terribly and I was attacked by family members for no reason. I found this church and was able to only go for a partial service and immediately felt the presence of God; a deep comfort – my heart has yearned to be back there ever since. So it is with mourning distress I found this pastor had passed on because I know this church truly followed the Lord Jesus Christ under his leadership. A church like this is very rare.