Steven Neher
Photograph of Steven Neher holding his dachshund, obtained from Patch.com.
Steven Neher’s passion was helping people. He worked as a nurse practitioner at the Hillsborough County Falkenburg Road Jail in Tampa, Florida, providing medical care for incarcerated people. Before that, he worked as a flight nurse for 15 years. Steven’s aunt, Elizabeth Alesafar, said to Patch that “he was loved by all who knew him,” and that people were drawn to his upbeat attitude and sense of humor.
Steven passed away on December 29, 2020 after a 35-day battle with COVID-19. He was 49 years old. Steven began feeling symptoms two days after a worker at the jail tested positive, and his aunt wrote on her GoFundMe page that she thought it likely that he contracted the virus at his job. According to Ms. Alesafar, Steven took the virus seriously; he maintained social distance and used his Facebook page to promote precautions.
In addition to his nursing job, Steven also ran a business with his partner of 10 years, Christian Riddell, whom he met on the dating website Match.com. Mr. Riddell said to The Washington Post that six months after they met, “he knew I was his forever.” They started a home-based candle-making business called the Tipsy Candle Company, where they used recycled wine bottles and soy wax to make scented candles. The two originally wanted to name their business “Wicks and Weiners” after their two dachshunds, Reese and Truffles. Steven absolutely loved dachshunds. He helped design fundraising candles for the Dachshund Adoption Rescue and Education organization in Tampa and sponsored an event called Doxapalooza.
Photograph of Steven Neher with Christian Riddell, obtained from Eveneteny.
When they weren't working, the couple also went on many adventures. Steven posted pictures of their travels on his Facebook page.
Photograph of Steven Neher with Christian Riddell, obtained from Steven’s Facebook page.
After Steven was diagnosed with COVID-19, his aunt started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover all of the unexpected costs that came with the disruption of becoming sick with the virus. The fundraiser is still live after his passing, now to pay off his after-life expenses. “He has many open-ended and unrealized dreams and aspirations that will need to be resolved,” wrote Ms. Alesafar.
Steven began experiencing symptoms in November and tested positive the day before Thanksgiving. After the couple’s small celebration he began to feel better, but on December 4 he found himself needing a portable oxygen tank. Steven slept propped up by pillows and with Reese and Truffles tucked in his arms as Mr. Riddell slept on the floor beside his oxygen tank. The next day, he was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Steven’s experience in the hospital was incredibly isolating. Friends of Steven wanted to hang up photos with his loved ones and dachshunds, but the hospital wouldn’t allow them to decorate his room. On December 24th, Christmas Eve, Ms. Alesafar posted on the GoFundMe page, “Steven absolutely loves Christmas!!!! Since he is in the hospital and unable to do it, I am forwarding a Christmas wish to all his friends, family, and all who have lovingly reached out to him in support.” Five days later, he lost his battle with COVID-19. To those he has impacted, Ms. Alesafar posted, “I pray that you will keep the beautiful memories in your heart and cherish all the joyous times you had with him.”
Photograph of Steven Neher, obtained from his Facebook page.
Steven brought light and healing into this world, and we mourn his loss.
This memorial was written by MOL team member Kira Grossfield with information from reporting by Lori Rozsa of the Washington Post, reporting by D'Ann Lawrence White of Patch, Steven Neher’s Facebook page, Elizabeth Neher Alesafar’s GoFundMe Page, an interview with PBS, and the Dachshund Adoption Rescue and Education Facebook Page.