Steve Edberg, UC ANR applications programmer, died on June 4.
He joined UC ANR in 2013 as a senior software developer to support researchers and for public outreach.
Edberg worked on ANR’s internal document repository, SiteBuilder content management system, the volunteer management system, and data analysis tools and financial reporting for 4-H. He also maintained data acquisition services for a network of weather stations.
Before joining UC ANR, Edberg worked at UC Davis Genome Center from 1999 to 2008 in systems administration and bioinformatics visualization, then worked for Vitalea Science in IT for five years. He also volunteered as a disc jockey at KDVS from 1995 to 2002.
The following is a message from Jaki Hsieh Wojan, UC ANR chief information officer:
“Steve was the heart of UC ANR IT. His incredible brain, sweet disposition and wry humor made the "web cave" in our Davis office a place of fun and friendship. When I started at ANR in 2022, Steve’s wit and willingness to join in on IT shenanigans made him a fast friend. I am grateful for every moment we got with him.
Steve worked for ANR since 2013; previously he spent nearly a decade at the UC Davis Genome Center. He was passionate about supporting research and science. He often reminded us to focus on the mission, advocating for the work of ANR’s academics.
Steve was also a prominent member of the Davis music scene. A talented drummer, he was a founding member of Acme Rocket Quartet and played in many other Davis bands. You can find some of the music Steve made on YouTube.
A big cat lover, Steve was well-known in Davis for rescuing strays. He was often catching feral cats around East Davis and taking them to the vet. I once asked him, “How many cats do you have?” He answered, “How much is too many? I have one less than that.”
Heather Moore shared a beautiful memory of Steve, his kindness and his sense of humor. “He knew that my daughter and I played Dungeons & Dragons together," Heather said. "The theme of the campaign was Alice in Wonderland. One day, he quietly placed an old-fashioned night-light on my desk — the kind with the decorative plate. It had Alice and the Cheshire Cat on it, and it was beautiful. There was no note, but I knew exactly who had left it. When I asked him, he just smiled and said, 'I thought you and Kendra would like it.' That was Steve. He didn't do kind things for recognition or thanks. He did them simply because he cared.”
Thank you Steve, for all the memories, jokes and shenanigans. Thank you for my giant squeaky toy carrot. We miss you, Rainbow Kitty.
To our UC ANR community: if you’d like to make a donation in remembrance of Steve to local programs that help cats, visit this Facebook post. Details on a memorial celebrating Steve’s life are forthcoming.
For those seeking additional support, the Academic and Staff Assistance Program (ASAP) is available for cost-free and confidential counseling and referral services.