Steven Michael Gottlieb

Steven Michael Gottlieb passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025 (25 Elul 5785), surrounded by his loving family. Steven was born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 22, 1946, to the late Louis and Betty Gottlieb. Because he was an only child, he was doted upon by not only his parents but grandparents as well since they all lived in the same building together. At the age of 10, Steven moved with his parents to Houston, Texas, where his father had secured a new business position. Steven was called to the bimah for his Bar Mitzvah, at the age of 13, at Congregation Beth Yeshurun where his parents were members. Steven graduated from Jessie H. Jones High School in 1964 and soon after enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served his country for six years. Upon completion of his military service, he pursued higher education at the University of Houston, earning a degree in business. Following his graduation, Steven began a long and successful career at Hartwell’s Office World where he served as manager and salesman. His professionalism, leadership, and people-first approach left a lasting impression on colleagues and customers alike. Steven’s parents passed away while he was yet a young man. At that point, he moved over to Congregation Beth Israel to be with his only remaining relative, Dr. Bob Hill and family. They were a small yet close family, as they are to this day. They were so very important to Steven, as were his many pursuits in life. He had many interests and hobbies in life: bowling, gardening, taking nature walks, playing pickleball, photography, and his lifelong love of ham radio. He attained his operator’s license from the FCC at the tender age of 15. For someone who relished making new friends, Steven (call sign WA5OEN) enjoyed making contact with hams all over the world. He very early on joined BVARC, Brazos Valley Amateur Radio Club, in Sugar Land, Texas. Being very active in the club, he was president for one year and was awarded the Order of the Key for outstanding service, dedication, and superior performance in 1983. Steven married the love of his life, Sandra, on April 17, 1993, in the Rose Garden in Hermann Park, surrounded by family, friends, and co-workers. He became a wonderful father figure for his stepson, Timothy Owen. Being in an interfaith marriage with Sandra, together they enjoyed Friday evening services with the family, Judaism 101 classes, volunteering for Mitzvah Day, and being very active in the interfaith support group that Beth Israel so lovingly provides. They formed from this group a havurah with about 10 other families, and for the next 12 years, enjoyed all of the Jewish holidays and festivals as the children grew and became Bar/Bat Mitzvahed. As they all went off to college, the group met fewer times but still stay close through Beth Israel and Facebook. After 18 years of marriage, Sandra found her religious home in Sunset United Methodist Church in Pasadena, Texas, where they lived. There began a happy, busy life attending not only Beth Israel, but also Sunset UMC! Steven’s second big hobby was photography. He started actively documenting his time in the Navy and all the countries he visited while serving. He began taking pictures at Sunset and documented the life of the church from August 2011 to August 31, 2025, his last day being the official photographer for Sunset UMC. His life was full with the love of his Beth Israel family, his family, friends, and also all the love from everyone at Sunset UMC. He loved them all, and they loved him. He was greatly blessed! In 2013, Sandra met Tera Alexander at the local YMCA, and soon thereafter, Calvin and Tyrel, their only child. Steven soon became not only a father figure for Tera, but also a surrogate grandfather to Tyrel who was just 3 years old at the time. Steven enjoyed doing all the things that a grandfather does, volunteering at Tyrel’s school, taking nature walks, playing pickleball together, and teaching him how to mow the lawn! His love, presence, and guidance shaped memories that will live on in Tyrel’s heart forever. Just 3 years ago, Steven met Sara Dilon when she and her husband, Tony, came to visit Sunset, and therein began a “father-daughter” relationship, talking on the phone, texting each other every single morning, from their first day together to the last day of his life. He loved Sara as his very own, and through her became a surrogate grandfather to Aryana, Toni, Caylee, and Ezra and Noah, their miracle twins. Steven is survived by his devoted wife of 32 years, Sandra, his stepson, Tim Owen, his cousins, Bob and Sandy Hill, along with Lauren (Brooke), Joelle (Mark), Brian (Sharon), Rachel (Joe), Jonathan, Brooke, and Adam. He will be remembered fondly for his kindness, his ready smile, his love for people, and his devotion to both his family and Sandra’s. “A camera is a save button for the mind’s eye.” Steven’s remarkable gift for capturing life’s beauty now serves as his eternal legacy. A memorial service will take place on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 1:00 pm in the Gordon Chapel at Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 N. Braeswood Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77096. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Steven Gottlieb’s name may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, a charity helping Gold Star families, fallen first responders, and homeless vets, at donationsupport@t2t.org or (718) 987-1931.

Steven Michael Gottlieb

December 22, 1946 - September 18, 2025