In Memory

Steve Prchal VIEW PROFILE

Deceased Classmate: Steven James Prchal
Date Of Birth: 05-20-1950
Date Deceased: 04-17-2015
Age at Death: 64
Cause of Death:
Classmate City: Tucson
Classmate State: AZ
Classmate Country: USA
Survived By: See Below

Steven James Prchal died in Tucson, Arizona on April 17, 2015 at the age of 64 after a month in hospice care. He was a passionate environmental activist, mentor, friend, teacher, father, old-school naturalist and desert rat. Born on May 20, 1950 to Ken and Betty Prchal in Chicago, IL, his family moved to Tucson, AZ when he was four. The desert wildlife captivated his imagination, adventurous spirit and curiosity. Many camping trips in Mexico and throughout Arizona fueled this passion. He graduated from Palo Verde High School in 1968. His love for the environment and desert ignited his career at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in 1970 starting as a laborer and advancing to Assistant Curator of the small animal department. In 1986, he founded Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute promoting educational programs about insects and their relatives. One of SASI's projects was starting the Invertebrates in Captivity Conference (now Invertebrates in Environment and Conservation Conference) supporting zoo and museum professionals. In 2002, Steve visited Costa Rica and moved to Dos Brazos del Rio Tigre on the Osa peninsula in 2004. His work in this new community fostered a police station, a municipal water system, conservation work to stop gold mining in the rivers, and founding a new conservation foundation, Ventanas en Corcovado. Steve's passion, expertise and knowledge inspired many people in the zoo and museum field, insect enthusiasts, conservation community, and others. He is survived by father, Kenneth (Sarah Leonard); brother, Joseph (Dicksie McDaniel); sister, Kathy Mayer (Nick); daughter, Julie Dorley (Susana); two nephews and three nieces, sister-in-law, Peggy Prchal; close friend, Janet Bardwell and Costa Rican Family, the Madrigals. Pre-deceased by mother, Betty Prchal and niece, Dana Apodaca. A Memorial Service is planned for Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Steve Prchal Scholarship Fund/IECC; c/o Erin Sullivan, Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98103

Steven James Prchal died in Tucson, Arizona on April 17, 2015 at the age of 64 after a month in hospice care. He was a passionate environmental activist, mentor, friend, teacher, father, old-school naturalist and desert rat. Born on May 20, 1950 to Ken and Betty Prchal in Chicago, IL, his family moved to Tucson, AZ when he was four. The desert wildlife captivated his imagination, adventurous spirit and curiosity. Many camping trips in Mexico and throughout Arizona fueled this passion. He graduated from Palo Verde High School in 1968. His love for the environment and desert ignited his career at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in 1970 starting as a laborer and advancing to Assistant Curator of the small animal department. In 1986, he founded Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute promoting educational programs about insects and their relatives. One of SASI's projects was starting the Invertebrates in Captivity Conference (now Invertebrates in Environment and Conservation Conference) supporting zoo and museum professionals. In 2002, Steve visited Costa Rica and moved to Dos Brazos del Rio Tigre on the Osa peninsula in 2004. His work in this new community fostered a police station, a municipal water system, conservation work to stop gold mining in the rivers, and founding a new conservation foundation, Ventanas en Corcovado. Steve's passion, expertise and knowledge inspired many people in the zoo and museum field, insect enthusiasts, conservation community, and others. He is survived by father, Kenneth (Sarah Leonard); brother, Joseph (Dicksie McDaniel); sister, Kathy Mayer (Nick); daughter, Julie Dorley (Susana); two nephews and three nieces, sister-in-law, Peggy Prchal; close friend, Janet Bardwell and Costa Rican Family, the Madrigals. Pre-deceased by mother, Betty Prchal and niece, Dana Apodaca. A Memorial Service is planned for Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Steve Prchal Scholarship Fund/IECC; c/o Erin Sullivan, Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98103. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tucson/obituary.aspx?n=steven-james-prchal&pid=174722444#sthash.0SH68obB.dpuf
Steven James Prchal died in Tucson, Arizona on April 17, 2015 at the age of 64 after a month in hospice care. He was a passionate environmental activist, mentor, friend, teacher, father, old-school naturalist and desert rat. Born on May 20, 1950 to Ken and Betty Prchal in Chicago, IL, his family moved to Tucson, AZ when he was four. The desert wildlife captivated his imagination, adventurous spirit and curiosity. Many camping trips in Mexico and throughout Arizona fueled this passion. He graduated from Palo Verde High School in 1968. His love for the environment and desert ignited his career at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in 1970 starting as a laborer and advancing to Assistant Curator of the small animal department. In 1986, he founded Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute promoting educational programs about insects and their relatives. One of SASI's projects was starting the Invertebrates in Captivity Conference (now Invertebrates in Environment and Conservation Conference) supporting zoo and museum professionals. In 2002, Steve visited Costa Rica and moved to Dos Brazos del Rio Tigre on the Osa peninsula in 2004. His work in this new community fostered a police station, a municipal water system, conservation work to stop gold mining in the rivers, and founding a new conservation foundation, Ventanas en Corcovado. Steve's passion, expertise and knowledge inspired many people in the zoo and museum field, insect enthusiasts, conservation community, and others. He is survived by father, Kenneth (Sarah Leonard); brother, Joseph (Dicksie McDaniel); sister, Kathy Mayer (Nick); daughter, Julie Dorley (Susana); two nephews and three nieces, sister-in-law, Peggy Prchal; close friend, Janet Bardwell and Costa Rican Family, the Madrigals. Pre-deceased by mother, Betty Prchal and niece, Dana Apodaca. A Memorial Service is planned for Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Steve Prchal Scholarship Fund/IECC; c/o Erin Sullivan, Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98103. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tucson/obituary.aspx?n=steven-james-prchal&pid=174722444#sthash.0SH68obB.dpuf
Steven James Prchal died in Tucson, Arizona on April 17, 2015 at the age of 64 after a month in hospice care. He was a passionate environmental activist, mentor, friend, teacher, father, old-school naturalist and desert rat. Born on May 20, 1950 to Ken and Betty Prchal in Chicago, IL, his family moved to Tucson, AZ when he was four. The desert wildlife captivated his imagination, adventurous spirit and curiosity. Many camping trips in Mexico and throughout Arizona fueled this passion. He graduated from Palo Verde High School in 1968. His love for the environment and desert ignited his career at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in 1970 starting as a laborer and advancing to Assistant Curator of the small animal department. In 1986, he founded Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute promoting educational programs about insects and their relatives. One of SASI's projects was starting the Invertebrates in Captivity Conference (now Invertebrates in Environment and Conservation Conference) supporting zoo and museum professionals. In 2002, Steve visited Costa Rica and moved to Dos Brazos del Rio Tigre on the Osa peninsula in 2004. His work in this new community fostered a police station, a municipal water system, conservation work to stop gold mining in the rivers, and founding a new conservation foundation, Ventanas en Corcovado. Steve's passion, expertise and knowledge inspired many people in the zoo and museum field, insect enthusiasts, conservation community, and others. He is survived by father, Kenneth (Sarah Leonard); brother, Joseph (Dicksie McDaniel); sister, Kathy Mayer (Nick); daughter, Julie Dorley (Susana); two nephews and three nieces, sister-in-law, Peggy Prchal; close friend, Janet Bardwell and Costa Rican Family, the Madrigals. Pre-deceased by mother, Betty Prchal and niece, Dana Apodaca. A Memorial Service is planned for Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Steve Prchal Scholarship Fund/IECC; c/o Erin Sullivan, Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98103. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tucson/obituary.aspx?n=steven-james-prchal&pid=174722444#sthash.0SH68obB.dpuf



 
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04/29/15 09:19 PM #1    

Rene' Rodri'guez

   When I hear of good friends passing away, it saddens me, but yet I am  elated because they are in a better place. My deepest condolences to Steve's family. 

Rene' A. Rodri'guez


05/01/15 12:29 AM #2    

Grace Sayan

I had dinner with Steve last year. He was happy and excited about returning home to South America where he and his longtime friend raised butterflies. Steve was in my art class at PV and a bright quirky free soul. My sincere condolences are with his family father and brother and Dikxie. 


05/02/15 01:33 AM #3    

Betty Lazeres (Wilson)

In first grade at Kellond Elementary School, Steve gave me my first kiss and I always teased him about that!!  His parents were close friends with mine; I remember all the snakes he was allowed to keep at his home, always hoping none of them would get loose while I was there!  My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.


05/05/15 07:18 PM #4    

Barbara Hardesty (Pfeffer)

Steve Prchal is one that is not easy to forget. I have not seen him since the 8th grade but always remembered him as a fun and sweet guy. It appears he lived more of life than many who live longer which is good to see. I am so sorry to hear of his passing and know that he will be missed by many.


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