Karl Stephen Leo (Steve) Anderson 1933-2022
Karl Stephen Leo "Steve" Anderson, 89, of Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, passed away peacefully in Ellicott City MD on December 29, 2022.
He is survived by 3 sons: Matt (Joni), Doug (Michele) and Eric (Cindy); three step children: Jeff (Alexandra), Scott and Sara Anderson; 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and four sisters and their families: Carol Beveridge, Lori Dillman, Haven Tobias and Judy Mathias. He was the Godson of Chicago composer Leo Sowerby. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Sally and stepson Tim.
Steve was born in Chicago in 1933, went to school in Riverside IL, and lived most of his life in Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois (Champaign) in 1955 with a BS in editorial journalism, where he was also night editor of the Daily Illini newspaper and a member of Chi Psi fraternity. He was a jazz aficionado, an avid tennis and bridge player, loved to travel, and attended theatre and concerts whenever possible. He always enjoyed volunteering at the Swedish American Museum in Chicago's Andersonville.
Steve was the director of communications for the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) from 1988-2009 where, among other duties, he was editor of the ISBA Bar News. Prior to that, Steve was editor and associate publisher of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (1981-1988). Other employments included associate publisher of James newspapers in Norway ME (1980-81), editor and associate publisher of Chronicle Newspapers in St. Charles IL (1973-80), publisher of Paddock Crescent DuPage Newspapers in Downers Grove IL (1971-73), printing plant manager of Pioneer Press in St. Charles IL (1968-71), production director and general manager of Pioneer Newspapers in Oak Park IL (1963-68), and advertising and general manager of the Proviso Herald in Maywood IL (1955-63).
As a member of the ISBA he was only the second non-lawyer ever to receive the ISBA Board of Governors award. He was also a member of Sigma Delta Chi (the society of professional journalists), the Chicago Crime Commission, the Illinois Press Association, president of the Chicago Headline Club, president of the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association, chairman of the National Newspaper Association, member of the Illinois First Amendment Congress, the National Center of Freedom of Information Studies and honorary member of the Kane County Bar Association. In his spare time he was the president of the Chamber of Commerce in both St. Charles and Highland Park. He was the editor of Chi Psi fraternity's magazine the Purple and Gold. His list of awards and honors are too numerous to list, but are topped by the fact that in 2009 Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley declared April 29 to be K. Stephen Anderson day throughout Chicago.
Steve will be laid to rest next to his wife Sally in Trinity Memory Gardens in Rochelle, IL in the Spring. Thoughts and condolences may be left on the Echovita website.