Tolland Obituary: Dr. Stephen Hay, 68

Dr. Stephen Olin Hay, 68, of Tolland, died on August 18, 2016 at Hartford Hospital.

Born July 5, 1948 in Madison, Wisconsin to Malcolm Hay and Helen Lokken Hay. He lived many years in Sioux Falls, SD. Stephen was married to Donna Fass Hay on July 13, 2002. He received a B.A. in Chemistry from University of Minnesota in 1978, M.A. in Chemistry from USC in 1983 and Ph.D. in Chemical Physics at USC in 1985.

Steve came east to UTRC in 1985, working as a research scientist for 25 years. He was known internationally as a specialist in photocatalysis as applied to Indoor Air Quality Research. He was awarded 7 patents and had numerous publications. He held many honors and awards including UTRC Outstanding Achievement Awards. Steve loved teaching and had been Adjunct Faculty at West Coast University, University of Hartford, and UConn. Most currently he was working with Fraunhofer USA, Center for Energy Innovation at UCONN and mentoring graduate students. He was also Board of Director President at the Village at Crystal Springs.

Steve was not all science. He was a lover of life with a heart as big as his mind. He loved blues, rock and roll, playing GO, collecting fine wines and driving his convertible. He was a life-time comic book collector with a passion for superheroes. He was a superman to all who knew and loved him.

Steve is survived by his sisters Kristi (Dick) Oskar-Groen and Debi Hay of Sioux Falls, SD, brother Jeff (Shirley) Hay of LaCrescent, MN and children Scott Dewitt of Rocky Hill, Ryan Jay (Holly) Dewitt of Sarasota, FL, Joshua (Heather) Dewitt of Broomfield, CO, sister-in-law Barbara Reynolds of Katonah, NY; Grandsons Parker and Peyton (FL) and Greyson and Owen (CO) were loved so much as was goddaughter Morgan Oskar and Danie Shokoohi.

Donna and family express thanks to Dr. Inam Kureshi, all doctors and the entire neurosurgical team on C9i for their expertise, caring and compassion and to the nursing staff for the highest excellence of care and respect shown to Steve and Donna.

Steve’s family will receive friends at Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Road (Rt. 195), Tolland, on Saturday, September 3 from 10 AM -12 PM with a service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Steve’s memory with a donation to Children’s Inn, 409 N. Western Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 or online chssd.org/childrensinn.

For online condolences, please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com.