Stephen Charles Komor

Stephen Charles Komor, age 64, died in early November of this year at his home in Ithaca. He was raised in the Village of Cayuga Heights in Ithaca, attending Ithaca High School and then Cornell University before travelling to Houston to secure a Ph.D. in Geology. He spent many years as a hydrogeochemist for the United States Geological Survey and over the course of his career he lived in Washington D.C., Wisconsin, North Dakota and Minnesota, before eventually returning to settle in Ithaca. He was a hydrology research crew member of several deep-sea drilling voyages, which formed the highlight of his scientific career.

Steve loved to read big books, listen to music at top volume, and immerse himself in home improvement projects. He could often be found at home working on his novels, building computers in his basement while listening to old Monty Python skits, or researching the intricacies of old timepieces. He always had a trusty dog at his side, being gifted not just with intelligence and industriousness, but with skill at raising large dogs to be the epitome of "man's best friends." Steve was a truly critical thinker. He is fondly remembered for quipping about the newest scientific and technological breakthroughs, scrutinizing linguistics and etymology, and for offering his refined political opinions. Perhaps most of all, Steve will be remembered for his sense of humor. He had the unique ability to bring about a chuckle in even the moodiest stranger. Those who knew him well will miss his quirky dad-jokes and witty comments uttered slyly at just the right times.

His father, Peter Komor, passed away in 2017. Steve is survived by loving mother Judy Komor, sister Irene Komor and family (Leo, Isha, Miriam), brother Paul Komor and family (Pat and Asher), children Ben Komor, Laura Komor and Anna Komor and family (Robert and grandson Isaac), and a friendly former wife Pat Dutt. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the SPCA of Tompkins County (spcaonline.com), or the Mental Health Association in Tompkins County (mhaedu.org).

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