Steven Ross Gilford, 70, a lifelong resident of Evanston, Illinois.

Beloved husband for 49 years of Anne Christine Johnson Gilford; loving father of Sarah (Ernest) Chang, Zachary (Kiele) Gilford and Eliza (Stephen) Gilford Fox; proud grandfather of Cole, Tesla, Zeppelin, Revel, Tanner, and the late Noble and the late Winter; caring brother of Lori (Marc Cohen) Kaplan and Cathy (Robert) Colgan; cherished son of the late Ronald and Adele Gilford.

Steve was good-humored, charismatic, and passionate about learning. His sharp wit brought joy to those he met. Steve dedicated his life to improving the lives of many through his professional and volunteer efforts. After earning degrees from Dartmouth College and Duke University School of Law, he became a strong trial and appellate litigation attorney who spent much of his career at major law firms, including Isham Lincoln & Beale, Mayer Brown and, in 2008, opening a Chicago office for Proskauer. Steve then "retired" from private practice to continue domestic and international arbitration mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Steve was a long-time board member of Metropolitan Family Services and various other not-for-profits, as well as a former member of state and local boards of education. Steve's experiences, knowledge, compassion, and wit will be missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Metropolitan Family Services or Center for Conflict Resolution.