Dr. Steven Michael Mitchell loved life. He spent 51 years trying to squeeze joy out of every second that he had on Earth. With a cigar in his mouth and a smile on his lips, he loved to make people laugh. And he was good at it. He never took himself too seriously and didn't mind if the joke was at his expense. 

He believed in the beauty and power of friendship. Many of the friends who mourn his loss date their friendship back several decades. 

He believed in the honest love of a good dog. I know that Bo, Bear, Wolf, Osa, Flash, and Sonny are so happy to be reunited with him at last. And when the time comes for Kaya, Steve will be so glad to see her. 

He believed in family. His mom, dad, brothers, sister, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles all knew that he would do anything for them. 

He believed in science and teaching. Thousands of doctors are better clinicians and better people because they had Steve as a professor and mentor. 

The mountains of Northern New Mexico are quieter now without Jimmy Buffet blaring from Steve's Jeep. The fish can sleep easier knowing that his fly rod is still. He left those mountains cleaner every time he visited, just as he leaves all of us happier and better for having had our time with him. We love you, Steve.