Stephen Garvin Obituary

Stephen 'Red' Donald Garvin
Born: February 11, 1951
Died: March 12, 2022
Stephen "Red" Donald Garvin, age 71, a longtime resident of Downers Grove, IL, passed away on March 12, 2022 after a short battle against an aggressive form of cancer. He had the support of his many friends, both locally and from around the country.
Steve Garvin was born to Harold and Ethel Garvin in Toledo, Ohio on February 11, 1951. He grew up living and breathing sports. Though small in stature, he excelled at baseball, golf, and bowling. He batted leadoff and played 2nd base in the Little League Majors, starting at 9 years old. Steve's hero was Nellie Fox, and he tried to play just like him…he got on base any way he could.
Steve would find his true passion in the game of golf, a sport that would pave his way in life. He practiced any time he could, and it paid off. He began caddying at the Hinsdale Golf Club and was rewarded with a Chick Evans Amateur Scholarship for excellent grades and outstanding caddying skills. While playing the game, Steve gained an understanding of golf course etiquette, rules, and a colorful new vocabulary on the links. He lettered at the University of Illinois on the golf team. One of the highlights of his golfing "career" was the hole-in-one he got at the Medinah Golf Course during a tournament. He will be remembered for his skill in sports, being able to shoot par or better at Cog Hill in the morning and bowling a 750 series at Suburbanite Bowl in the evening.
Steve earned a degree in accounting and went on to have a successful career as a CPA.
Another of his attributes, was his exceptional memory, especially regarding facts about the town he loved, Downers Grove. Steve could tell you Clover Leaf Dairy's lineup top to bottom the year they won the city championship. He could tell you the team batting average the year Moose didn't win a game. Most importantly, it seemed as if Steve knew everyone in town…he knew your achievements, injuries, and every member of your family…he knew it all. Steve was the "resident historian" of Downers Grove—every street, school, restaurant, playground, field, and family…Steve knew it!
He became a dog-walker after his retirement and loved walking those dogs. He had over 40 in his career and could name every one.
Steve will be remembered by his many friends for his love of sports, Downers Grove and the people he met and befriended. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Ethel Garvin, and sister, Elizabeth.
There will be no formal service for Steve. His ashes will be sprinkled in the sand trap to the left of hole No. 9 at the Cog Hill No. 3 Course. He loved that course and hated that trap, but still managed to get himself out of trouble with some great sand shots. Please rake the sand carefully, this is now Red's bunker.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Western Golf Association Evans Scholar Foundation, 2501 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, Illinois 60026 or www.wgaesf.org/donate, are appreciated.
Arrangements by Adams-Winterfield & Sullivan Funeral Home. Information: 630-968-1000 or www.adamswinterfieldsullivan.com.