The text finally came, just after midnight on Friday morning. It wasn’t unexpected, but there are some things that knock the wind out of you no matter how hard you try to brace.
I met Stephen Menefee at work. We were assigned to the same program; me in Product Support Engineering and he in Project Engineering. He was the type that draws others in: always smiling, making jokes, laughing. We’d occasionally bump into one another at our work gym, and he’d ask about Meaghen, the boys, upcoming races. He’d shake his head and call me insane as he’d watch me do my workout, then join in after finishing a punishing class. “What’s happenin’ brotha?” was his line, even if he’d just seen you an hour prior. He introduced me to the Rocky Point Triathlon and Ragnar relay series, and let me know that I was welcome to join him anytime I wanted. Steve didn’t have friends, he had family.
BG hosted a pop-up in Phoenix to kick-start our official November Project pledge shortly after I came on board. I hounded every one of my coworkers to show up. Steve did, and became an instant celebrity.
John Lennon’s “New York City” t-shirt, Marilyn Monroe’s flying skirt, National Geographic’s “Afgan Girl.” Steve Menefee’s “November Project high-five” is easily as iconic and recognizable to the Phoenix tribe. And for good reason: the flowing mane and massive grin evoke warm memories for all of us. Everybody who has been with us from the beginning remembers the old dude with “those chicken legs sticking out of short shorts” (his wife Kelly’s words), the never-ending grin, his joie de vivre.
Steve only made a few workouts before a relapse of gastrointestinal stromal tumors took his strenuous activities offline. People noticed: many asked about him, even as recently as last week. He continued to work for a while, and I never saw anything but a smile on his face. He promised to make it back to the stairs. He refused to give up as treatment after treatment failed, choosing instead to attack every day. He found out that Meaghen is a cancer survivor (and is in cancer research), and they quickly became friends, sharing regular emails and keeping up with one another on social media.
Steve was a warrior. His motto was, “be an owner, not a victim.” He is the embodiment of November Project, of everything that We stand for. Steve touched each of us in immeasurable ways, and his impact cannot be fully expressed in words. He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. For the rest of us, I’d like to share the words that Steve used to close every email: “What are you doing for your health today? Nobody said it would be easy, but it will be worth it.”
NOTE: We will update with funeral arrangements when they are available. We are planning to send flowers to the family, as well as give a framed photo from NP. Let us know if you would like to donate.
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much love steve