Team Transplant, UWMC » profiles

Steve Reynolds, Friend and Teammate

greenglove — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 01:09:26 +0000

Stephen A. Reynolds, a researcher who shared with his children the joy and wonder of science, died Nov. 2 at age 59.

By Lornet Turnbull

Seattle Times staff reporter

Stephen A. Reynolds was a researcher who shared with his children the joy and wonder of science.

His daughter, Lindsay Reynolds, recalls how he would organize science experiments for her and her brother — charting the rise and setting of the sun for an entire year, or spreading colored construction paper on the snow to see which color would melt the snow fastest.

Mr. Reynolds craved the simple life and for years nagged his family to get rid of the TV and the family’s one car.

“I still don’t know to this day how we managed to make it through those teenage years with only one car,” said his wife, Jeannette Reynolds.

Mr. Reynolds, 59, died Nov. 2 from complications related to congenital liver disease.

Born in Colorado, he later moved to Seattle, where he earned a doctorate in oceanography from the University of Washington and where he met his wife. His career took the family to California for a time before bringing them back to the UW, where he worked as a research scientist in the Applied Physics Laboratory.

For years, Mr. Reynolds biked to work from his Ballard home, and when the kids were younger, the family rode together every Sunday. “Our form of church was going on bike rides for breakfast,” his wife said.

Mr. Reynolds helped establish a foundation to support teachers at Nathan Hale High School, where he was a volunteer and steady presence.

“As a teenager you’re self-conscious of having your dad around a lot,” his daughter said. “In retrospect, I’m so appreciative … of the example he set for community involvement.”

As his disease worsened, Mr. Reynolds was placed on a waiting list and in 2003 underwent a liver transplant. His wife believes it made him appreciate life even more, allowing him “to see the kids graduate from college — when he didn’t even think he’d be able to see them graduate from high school.”

The couple were part of Team Transplant, a volunteer program for UW transplant recipients who train for — and participate in — the Seattle Half Marathon.

Even after disability ended his employment, Mr. Reynolds continued to work on a volunteer basis, researching underwater acoustics for use primarily by the U.S. Navy.

Eric Thorsos, who worked with him for nearly 20 years, said Mr. Reynolds was not a high-profile person who attended international meetings or served as the principal investigator on projects. “But he was a high-level contributor, a key, valuable player, on many ongoing projects,” Thorsos said. “It’s awful hard when you realize he’s not going to be here anymore.”

Along with his wife and daughter, Mr. Reynolds is survived by son Lang Reynolds, of Seattle; mother, Marianne Newman, and sister, Sandee Reynolds, of Tucson, Ariz.; and stepmother, Ann Reynolds, and brother, Tom Reynolds, of Colorado.

A celebration of his life is set for 2 p.m. Friday at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St., Seattle.

Sad News – Steve Reynolds

greenglove — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:43:47 +0000

I know many of you have already have heard the sad news…Steve Reynolds passed away this week. There will be a celebration of his life next Friday at 2:00pm at the Urban Horticulture Center (see attached)

Steve was one of our liver recipients. He and his wife, Jeannie, came on board as Team Transplanters in 2004 and quickly became two of our most committed team members. They totally embraced the Team Transplant lifestyle…becoming regulars at weekly practices; choosing to walk to and from work; and competing in half marathons. They understood the benefits of being active, but more importantly, they understood…and helped me understand…the importance of being surrounded by a team that can support and encourage you… Their welcoming spirit; genuine interest in friendship; and ability to reach out inspired many others to join the team as well.

And while Steve took his commitment to the team quite seriously, it was also very clear that he had a lot of fun with it. He was the one who coined the phrase “Don’t be a Hill-o-Weenie,” the official mantra for our hilly season, the beginning of which corresponds with the month of October. And when he and Jeannie traveled to Italy several years ago, he took along GiGi (a Green Guy..or as he pointed out…maybe it was a Green Gal? How did we really know?) To make GiGi, he and Jeannie took a green organ donation awareness pin, attached it to a notecard, and with a green marker, drew arms and a head to make it look like one of the original green guys. Then, in pure Amelie fashion, he took pictures of GiGi at Cinque de Terra, Florence, Tuscany, Sienna, Venice, and the statue of David, and sent them to me. The message was clear…I needed to get out more! And…Steve made sure I did…by introducing me (his dietitian) to such culinary hotspots as Spud’s Fish’n Chips, Red Mill Burgers, and Voola’s Diner!

I know that we will all miss Steve dearly…His presence on the team touched each and everyone of us. I feel so fortunate to be able to say that he was a part of our family, but I feel even more blessed that he and Jeannie let us be a part of their’s.

Jennifer Herlihy takes GOLD at Transplant Olympics!!

greenglove — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:06:45 +0000

This is just too good for me to sit on any longer…

Jennifer Herlihy, one of our liver recipients, flew to Madison Wisconsin last week to compete for her first time ever in the Transplant Olympics…and let’s just say…she has certainly made the experience worth the trip!

On Saturday, with some solid pacing from her husband, Todd, she won her age group in the 5k in an amazing time of 24:29 (~7:53/mile)….Then on Monday she returned to action on the track where she managed to pick up not one…not two…but THREE MORE MEDALS!!!!: Gold in the 1500m (6:45) and 800m (3:27) and silver in the 400m (1:42.5)…not bad for someone who’s been training for half marathons!

Congratulations, Jen! You done us proud!:-)

If you’d like to see a picture of Jen on the awards stand, you can go to: http://www.kidney.org/news/tgames2010/USGames/photos/index.cfm
Click on 5k Race. She and Todd are in the one 21st from the end…They’re both wearing blue tie-dye shirts…

Profiles: Mary-Jo Fraser

greenglove — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:53:44 +0000

Back to Mari-Jo Fraser. It turns out that last Sunday was not just Issaquah Salmon Days. It was the 6 year anniversary of her transplant…and so amazing that she chose to spend the first part of the day with us. In true TT spirit, she showed up decked out in official wasabi-Gatorade green apparel, and carryied a helium butterfly balloon. The plan…to release the balloon at some point during the race. At the call to the start, she eagerly made her way to middle of the crowd. As the gun went off, our crew of supporters provided an enthusiastic send off to our racers and as Mari Jo crossed the start line, our eyes looked up toward the sky for the balloon. It was only a few minutes later that we saw it…drifting up into the sky, a tribute to all of the people who have provided the gift of life and opportunity for hope to so many others.

After getting coffee, our support crew re-assembled over near the 6 mile mark where we could cheer our folks on as they completed their final 0.2 miles. As Mari-Jo approached, she had a huge smile on her face…and the twinkle in her eye…another tribute to that the gift of life.

Congrats on a fine performance, Mari-Jo…and on your incredible journey over the last 6 years!

It’s inspiration time!

greenglove — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:58:57 +0000

Issaquah Salmon Days…
We had a small, but mighty turnout for the race. It was a gorgeous Pacific Northwest fall morning…sunny…a little cool, but absolutely perfect for racing. Marty Chakoian took advantage of the conditions to lead our group across the finishline in a stellar 47:55. He’s definitely on his way to an outstanding Seattle Half Marathon performance in November. Mari-Jo Fraser was next…finishing in 60:08. More on Mari-Jo later. Eileen Webster rounded out the group 69:11. Like I said…small, but awfully mighty!

In the 5k, we were represented by another very fine crew with surprise entrant (and it could not have been more pleasant), Vanessa Whitacre who was joined by Janette Morantes and our good friend, Mary Pigott. They finished looking very comfortable as they crossed the line in 53 minutes.

Rounding out the festivities was our solid support and cheering section led by Jennifer Herlihy and Todd McCoy, Colin Rines, and Gary Lanis. It was so wonderful to see them…and to know that they still feel like they’re a part of the team despite their various reasons for sitting this event out.

Now…As promised…Back to Mari Jo Fraser. It turns out that last Sunday was not just Issaquah Salmon Days. It was the 6 year anniversary of her transplant…and so amazing that she chose to spend the first part of the day with us. In true TT spirit, she showed up decked out in official wasabi-Gatorade green apparel, and carryied a helium butterfly balloon (see attached photo). The plan…to release the balloon at some point during the race. At the call to the start, she eagerly made her way to middle of the crowd. As the gun went off, our crew of supporters provided an enthusiastic send off to our racers and as Mari Jo crossed the start line, our eyes looked up toward the sky for the balloon. It was only a few minutes later that we saw it…drifting up into the sky, a tribute to all of the people who have provided the gift of life and opportunity for hope to so many others.

Congrats on a fine performance, Mari-Jo…and on your incredible journey over the last 6 years!

Our Marathoners

Bridget O’Connor competed in the Bellingham Bay Marathon on Sept. 27th. This was her 4th marathon, and she went in to it with big expectations. Unfortunately, the marathon is a race where there’s not much in the way of compromise. And it turns out that the Bellingham’s course is full of uncompromising hills over the final 13.1 miles. Of the course profile, Bridget says, “ The hills were brutal! The first half was great but everything went downhill from there ( except for the course elevation).”

She still kept it together to finish in a very fine 4:21. And while she didn’t necessarily get the big pay off she was looking for, she’s still looking to draw from all the fitness she gained by joining us for the Seattle Half where her big goal is to keep Marty Chakoian in eyesight!

Rachel Lyons competed in the Portland Marathon last Sunday. I still haven’t had a chance to catch up with Rachel, but I do know that finished in a very respectable time of 4:27:20. Notably, this is 10 minutes faster than her debut marathon at Seattle Rock’n Roll in June! Way to go, Rachel! I believe she’ll be helping with a water station tomorrow so be sure to ask her for the details!
Liver Life Walk

One of our rookies, Dan Tennant, who lives down in Tacoma ventured up to Seattle for the first-ever American Liver Foundation Liver Life Walk on September 20th. From the word on the street, his training had him more than prepared for the 5k event so he was able to go out and have a lot of fun with it and meet a lot of ”really nice foks”…We look forward to having both he and his wife (whom I hear are really nice folks too) join us in November!
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At the Finish Line, Steve Reynolds

greenglove — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:19:47 +0000

Breakthrough, Spring, 2008

steve, at the finish line, 2006 (image:asiphoto)

tour of lake union

greenglove — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:46:00 +0000

(always in our hearts)(we miss you, Steve)

what would you do if i sang out of tune

greenglove — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:53:45 +0000

hi fellow team members! it was fabulous to see all of you out this weekend at alki. i walk with a little help from my friends. how’s bayou? what does team transplant mean to you?

Site Critique

greenglove — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:00:27 +0000

let me have it so i can modify and improve the connection, please.

brrr! when do we get moving?

greenglove — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:04:59 +0000