Stephen COLEMAN Obituary

Stephen,

We met in 2008 at the University of Auckland where we conducted experiments in the hydraulic lab. Your enthusiasm and inspiration has given my graduation thesis a boost. I'm sure the department misses you, not to mention your family of whom you spoke so tender. Unbelievable...

Stephen was my 4th year project supervisor and was the reason we were interested in the topic in the first place. He was the most inspiring lecturer - and more than that as he was a teacher as well. He was so enthusiastic, involved and passionate about what he taught, we couldn't help but enjoy the course! And the aweseom field trip to Palmerston North...which has led me to pursue a career in river engineering.
I would have loved to do post-grad with Stephen as my mentor. He was a truly amazing man and those of us who he has taught and inspired will never forget him.
My thoughts with his family, I am so sorry for your loss.

Stephen, I feel so fortunate that our paths first crossed many years ago. It was a privilege to be able to mentor you and later to collaborate on a professional level while remaining friends. You inspired me as you have inspired the next generation of engineers. I always admired your ability to explain complex problems in everyday terms. You have left a huge gap and are sadly missed. God bless.

Thank you, Stephen, for looking out for me as a young(er) academic trying to figure out what I am supposed to be doing. Thank you for somehow detecting when it was a tough day, and bringing me my favourite chocolate & coconut slice from the Level 3 cafeteria. Thank you for reviewing my draft journal papers, even though I'm sure you had enough to do on your own. Thank you for providing a sometimes dissenting or at least differing perspective to consider. You made a difference.

Stephen was my mate and I my colleague and I will truly miss him. Stephen, thank you for carrying me through a very difficult time of my life, you have been an angel sent onto my path. You have made your life count and it will make a difference in all of us for a very long time. Until we meet again.

Was great to be able to first meet you as an undergraduate, and then later on as a colleague at the University of Auckland. Your enthusiasm will be greatly missed in the Department.

It was a really big shock to learn of Stephen's passing, and I cannot express my sadness. Stephen supervised my Master Thesis at Auckland University and consultant works at UniServices. He was such a great teacher, researcher and friend.

He loved his job and dedicated his life to the job that he loved. It is a great loss in the field of hydraulic engineering research, as well as teaching at Auckland University. He has been well respected by his students.

My sincere condolences and sympathy go to his family.

Stephen, you will never be forgotten.

Stephen co-supervised my PhD thesis which I submitted a few months ago. He had so much enthusiasm and always steered me in the right direction. I know that finishing it in time was partly due to his advise! I will also never forget the rivery fun at the Tongariro, and especially Stephen cooking us all dinner (mountains of meat on the BBQ), his excited filming of active sand dune migration and his halairty over manual gravel measuring after being used to automatically scanning it in the lab. Such a complete loss, you are so missed!!

Stephen, you first came to chat to me in our lab when you were about to embark on your research for your PhD, having just finished your coursework exams. You were telling me that you found the exams very difficult. From then on, I knew you were not only smart (which I already knew from Bruce)but such a humble guy as well....because, when the results came out, you certainly got A+s for all the papers you sat ! I have always remembered you as a smart, gentle, friendly, and humble person. You have made many many people proud and will be greatly missed.

Although we only met during the recent Tongariro River field campaign, you strongly influenced our work. Your inspiration and enthusiasm for our research will be strongly missed.

Thanks for sharing your time and energy, even in your last months. The Department and University has lost one of the their very best academics - kind, compassionate, intelligent. I am greatly missing you. Floor 10 will never be the same.

A researcher of the highest quality and a down-to-earth nice guy. A huge loss, not just to those who knew him closely, but also to the engineering profession both nationally and internationally.

Dear Stephen - you were my favourite maverick engineer. I always enjoyed our encounters - and I'll never forget your Tolstoyan sentences!
Alas, the pleasure of working with you was all too short. But you are fondly remembered.

Well, Steve, we still haven't worked out the difference between a ripple and a dune, so we have more work to do! Don't forget; I'll be checking up on you in not so many years!

I wasn't enough lucky to meet you, while via few communications I found you a very nice and respected lecturer. Thanks for your sense and supports.

I am in greatly deep sad when I heard you passed away. Although I have never met you, I feel I am faimilar with you for reading your research. God bless.

STEPHEN, a grate man who i never forget him.you are always alive in our world.

Thank you for your enthusiasm towards teaching. Your lectures will be remembered with fond memories. Rest in Peace.

Stephen, my very good friend from uni days. Thanks for your many years of friendship. You will be dearly missed. Philip

Stephen, you were an enthusiastic person not just towards your profession but towards every facet life has to offer. I remember you now as a very cheerful and inspiration person and I always will.

Stephen, I am one of very many who were lucky enough to have you as a teacher, mentor, supervisor, friend. I would not have been able to take some important steps without your efforts, encouragement and enthusiasm. You will never be forgotten.God bless.

COLEMAN, Stephen Edward. My great friend since school. I miss you already. Rest in Peace my brother. My love and respect always. Ewan

Stephen I always remember you as a fine tennis player during our younger days,many many great 5 setters we had and the odd strange tennis combination myself against you and Ewan.God bless.You will be deeply missed.Jamie Ratama

COLEMAN, Stephen Edward. On July 23, 2012 at Totara Hospice. Loved son of Eddie, stepson of Barbara, step- brother of Cameron and friend of Jodie. "Loved and always remembered".

COLEMAN, Stephen Edward. 22 February 1966 - 23 July 2012. Much loved son and step- son of Brigit and Brian Lawrence, loved brother and brother-in-law of Celeste and Scott Raisbeck, and cherished uncle of Siobhan and William. He made the most of his God given gifts and still had a lot to give, taken too soon, lots of love to Kirsty, Josh, Tobi and Morgen.