Danville Mourns Steve Sumner, A Beloved Father, Friend And Son

A submission in memory of Stephen Sargent Sumner, 50, who lived Feb. 9, 1970 to June 25, 2020:

Steve Sumner was born in San Francisco, and raised in San Mateo, along with his brother Bob, and sister, Allison. He graduated from Crystal Springs-Uplands School in Hillsborough in 1988. He then attended and graduated from Loyola Marymount College in 1992, with a B.A. in history.
Steve became operations manager for a computer chip development company in the Bay Area but left to continue his education at the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University, graduating with an MBA degree in 2001.

He met his wife, the love of his life, in 1994 and he and Becky were married in 2001. They had their daughter Hannah in 2003 and son Will in 2005. Their early years were spent in San Mateo. In 2009, the Sumners moved to Danville and purchased a home that has been consistently filled with friends, family, laughter and love.

Steve joined the California State Automobile Association and spent the majority of his career working for AAA and specializing in strategic partnerships with other companies.

Steve was an enthusiastic participant in Danville neighborhood activities, and he served as treasurer and director of The Crayon Initiative. This non-profit collects used crayons from schools, restaurants and other businesses. It then donates the new crayons to sick children. He was also involved with YMCA Adventure guides with both children and Boy Scouts with Will, along with many other community activities and charitable endeavors.

Above all, Steve was a dedicated family man and a wonderful husband and father. He was a rock for his family and friends, and he never had a bad word to say about anyone. If you had the pleasure to meet Steve once, you became his friend for life.

Steve loved the 49ers and Giants, but he couldn't stand two Niner's running plays up the middle, followed by a pass on 3rd and 10. He liked nothing more than spending time with his family, camping with His friends in Yosemite, being with his dad at The Bohemian Grove, or drinking beer and BBQing with buddies late into the evening around the fire pit.

He is survived by his wife, Becky, children, Hannah, 16, and Will, 14, as well as by his sister, Allison Burns, and his parents, Bill and Nancy Sumner. Steve’s family is devastated by the sudden and unexpected loss of this deeply loved man. The great outpouring of love and support from friends in Danville is profoundly appreciated.