Steve Hirsch (1955-2016)

Steven A. Hirsch passed away at the age of 61 while surrounded by his family. A native Arizonan, Steve was the first of five children born into the family of acclaimed outdoor writer and radio personality Bob Hirsch and his loving wife and wildlife artist Mary Hirsch. After graduating from Squaw Peak Elementary School and Camelback High School, Steve enrolled at the University of Arizona (U of A) as a Journalism major. Steve's well-known love of life began to flourish in Tucson; In between his classes and numerous adventures with his friends from the Kaibab Dormitory, he met his future spouse of 37 years, Cher. In a decision that impacted the rest of his life (and robbed journalism of a young talent), Steve yielded to Cher's urging, took the LSAT, and enrolled in Law School at the U of A. Throughout law school; a Judicial Clerkship at the Arizona Court of Appeals-Division Two; and at the firms Evans, Kitchel, & Jencks as an associate, Bryan Cave as a partner; and finally as partner at Quarles & Brady in Phoenix; he sustained a very successful career as a commercial litigator. He was deeply ingrained in the leadership hierarchy of the U of A Law College Association, the Maricopa County Bar Association, the State Bar of Arizona, and the American Bar Association, to name a few. He earned more awards and accolades than can be accurately counted, but he was proudest of his recent induction as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He was universally beloved as one of the rare attorneys who befriended every one of his colleagues, including opposing council. Arising from his childhood as a Hirsch, Steve was the consummate outdoorsman. From his first deer at age 13 to his last dove at 60, Steve hunted in every canyon, prairie, mountain range, and forest in Arizona. He was always the first to propose a fishing outing, and always brought his binoculars for bird watching if the fish were not cooperating. He traveled everywhere in the state, often enjoying hiking in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve or the Grand Canyon and its tributary canyons with friends. His love for the outdoors was most visible through his leadership of Wildlife for Tomorrow, the charitable organization of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Steve introduced his sons to the great outdoors through hunting and fishing trips with family, and soon supplemented family outings with Scouting trips when he enrolled his sons in the Boy Scouts. Scouting fulfilled Steve's desire to help young people become better through an appreciation of fellowship and the outdoors, and he occupied nearly every leadership position in Cub Scout Pack 107 and Boy Scout Troop 401 over his 25-year career. Steve continued to contribute to Scouting state-wide after his sons graduated, but he also continued to teach merit badge classes and hike with the scouts in Troop 401. Steve's positive impact on a generation of young men through Scouting is one of his most impressive and lasting achievements. Steve gave so much of himself to everyone he met. He was unselfish with his time and worked tirelessly to promote a myriad of causes. Regardless of the context, his quick wit, supportive nature, and positive attitude were universally cherished. Not only have we lost a husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, and colleague, we have lost a truly special person who was a powerful force for good in the world. We will all move forward with heavier hearts, but we are buoyed onward by the enduring strength of Steve's character. In his last days, Steve told his family that his next adventure was fishing with his departed father, Bob. We sincerely hope that Steve hooked a big one on his first cast, and we imagine their laughs echoing across the lake as they admire the sunrise together.

Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame - 2017 Inductee

Steve was a prominent attorney, avid outdoorsman and the son of Bob Hirsch, a prior Hall of Fame inductee and acclaimed outdoors columnist. Steve’s passion for Arizona and its wildlife led him to serve as a director and the president of the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation for more than 16 years. Steve’s leadership and vision provided the driving force for Wildlife for Tomorrow as it worked closely with the department to support projects that benefited the management and enjoyment of Arizona’s fish and wildlife resources, youth educational activities and projects that made a difference to wildlife habitat in our state.