Stephen McKenney Steck, 77, of Oviedo, Florida, died on Saturday, July 24, 2021.
Steve was born November 23, 1943, in Orlando, Florida to the late Richard Carroll Steck and Helen Rowe McKenney Steck. He is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Desta Horner; his brother, Rich Steck (Judy); his children, Catherine Steck McManus (Sean), Debby Horner (David Williams) and Michael Horner (Abby); his five cherished grandchildren, Jack, Ben, Caitlin, Eleanor and Lawson; and many other loved and loving extended family members and friends. While in high school, Steve started a remarkably successful career in the news media working in TV production at WFTV/Channel 9. Eight years later, in 1967, he joined the Central Florida public broadcasting station of WMFE as production manager. Five years later, he became the youngest station manager in the U.S. public television system. Over the next 36 years of his long and remarkable tenure at WMFE, he served as President and CEO, launching the 90.7 WMFE-FM radio station, transitioning the stations to high-definition television and digital radio, while raising millions of dollars to support and expand public broadcasting in Central Florida. Retirement from WMFE did not mean Steve stopped innovating in media. In 2008, he founded the Carroll McKenney Foundation for Public Media, or CMF, and become one of the region's first news podcasters. Over the next five years, he and wife Desta wrote, recorded, produced and posted more than 300 podcast episodes covering local life in Central Florida. Steve was also an extraordinary, globe-trotting athlete, and he loved working toward big goals. With running, he accomplished the incredible feat of completing a marathon in all 50 states. Though the 50 States Marathon Club is exclusive, Steve went the extra 183.4 miles to join the Seven Continents Club, a group of only about 800 runners worldwide who have a certified finish of a marathon on every continent, including Antarctica. Having achieved his marathoning goals, Steve turned back to his first love: cycling. Back in 1957, at age 14, he was Florida's runner-up amateur cycling road-race champion. Fifty-eight years later, in 2015, Steve completed a transcontinental ride across the U.S. Mostly solo and self-contained, he traveled from ocean to ocean, starting in St. Augustine, Florida, and pedaling to San Diego. Never one to rest on his laurels, Steve turned around a few years later in 2019 and completed the north-south route, starting in Bar Harbor, Maine, and finishing by dipping his bike tire in the ocean in Key West.
Steve also prided himself on "The Streak." Starting in January 2014, he rode his bicycle every day without fail for at least 30 minutes, and when he was killed, he was in the midst of his 2,305th consecutive day of cycling. The cumulative mileage ridden during The Streak totaled 40,430 miles – enough distance to go more than one and a half times around the circumference of the planet.
Steve was a devoted, lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. He grew up nearby and played basketball as a child in the church's courtyard with the minister. As an adult, he would bike from Oviedo to Sunday morning service and spend his ride home contemplating God's love. His faith was steadfast.
Published by Orlando Sentinel from Jul. 30 to Aug. 1, 2021.
Steve was born November 23, 1943, in Orlando, Florida to the late Richard Carroll Steck and Helen Rowe McKenney Steck. He is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Desta Horner; his brother, Rich Steck (Judy); his children, Catherine Steck McManus (Sean), Debby Horner (David Williams) and Michael Horner (Abby); his five cherished grandchildren, Jack, Ben, Caitlin, Eleanor and Lawson; and many other loved and loving extended family members and friends. While in high school, Steve started a remarkably successful career in the news media working in TV production at WFTV/Channel 9. Eight years later, in 1967, he joined the Central Florida public broadcasting station of WMFE as production manager. Five years later, he became the youngest station manager in the U.S. public television system. Over the next 36 years of his long and remarkable tenure at WMFE, he served as President and CEO, launching the 90.7 WMFE-FM radio station, transitioning the stations to high-definition television and digital radio, while raising millions of dollars to support and expand public broadcasting in Central Florida. Retirement from WMFE did not mean Steve stopped innovating in media. In 2008, he founded the Carroll McKenney Foundation for Public Media, or CMF, and become one of the region's first news podcasters. Over the next five years, he and wife Desta wrote, recorded, produced and posted more than 300 podcast episodes covering local life in Central Florida. Steve was also an extraordinary, globe-trotting athlete, and he loved working toward big goals. With running, he accomplished the incredible feat of completing a marathon in all 50 states. Though the 50 States Marathon Club is exclusive, Steve went the extra 183.4 miles to join the Seven Continents Club, a group of only about 800 runners worldwide who have a certified finish of a marathon on every continent, including Antarctica. Having achieved his marathoning goals, Steve turned back to his first love: cycling. Back in 1957, at age 14, he was Florida's runner-up amateur cycling road-race champion. Fifty-eight years later, in 2015, Steve completed a transcontinental ride across the U.S. Mostly solo and self-contained, he traveled from ocean to ocean, starting in St. Augustine, Florida, and pedaling to San Diego. Never one to rest on his laurels, Steve turned around a few years later in 2019 and completed the north-south route, starting in Bar Harbor, Maine, and finishing by dipping his bike tire in the ocean in Key West.
Steve also prided himself on "The Streak." Starting in January 2014, he rode his bicycle every day without fail for at least 30 minutes, and when he was killed, he was in the midst of his 2,305th consecutive day of cycling. The cumulative mileage ridden during The Streak totaled 40,430 miles – enough distance to go more than one and a half times around the circumference of the planet.
Steve was a devoted, lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. He grew up nearby and played basketball as a child in the church's courtyard with the minister. As an adult, he would bike from Oviedo to Sunday morning service and spend his ride home contemplating God's love. His faith was steadfast.
Published by Orlando Sentinel from Jul. 30 to Aug. 1, 2021.
Stephen McKenney Steck, 77, of Oviedo, Florida, died on Saturday, July 24, 2021.
Steve was born November 23, 1943, in Orlando, Florida to the late Richard Carroll Steck and Helen Rowe McKenney Steck. He is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Desta Horner; his brother, Rich Steck (Judy); his children, Catherine Steck McManus (Sean), Debby Horner (David Williams) and Michael Horner (Abby); his five cherished grandchildren, Jack, Ben, Caitlin, Eleanor and Lawson; and many other loved and loving extended family members and friends. While in high school, Steve started a remarkably successful career in the news media working in TV production at WFTV/Channel 9. Eight years later, in 1967, he joined the Central Florida public broadcasting station of WMFE as production manager. Five years later, he became the youngest station manager in the U.S. public television system. Over the next 36 years of his long and remarkable tenure at WMFE, he served as President and CEO, launching the 90.7 WMFE-FM radio station, transitioning the stations to high-definition television and digital radio, while raising millions of dollars to support and expand public broadcasting in Central Florida. Retirement from WMFE did not mean Steve stopped innovating in media. In 2008, he founded the Carroll McKenney Foundation for Public Media, or CMF, and become one of the region's first news podcasters. Over the next five years, he and wife Desta wrote, recorded, produced and posted more than 300 podcast episodes covering local life in Central Florida. Steve was also an extraordinary, globe-trotting athlete, and he loved working toward big goals. With running, he accomplished the incredible feat of completing a marathon in all 50 states. Though the 50 States Marathon Club is exclusive, Steve went the extra 183.4 miles to join the Seven Continents Club, a group of only about 800 runners worldwide who have a certified finish of a marathon on every continent, including Antarctica. Having achieved his marathoning goals, Steve turned back to his first love: cycling. Back in 1957, at age 14, he was Florida's runner-up amateur cycling road-race champion. Fifty-eight years later, in 2015, Steve completed a transcontinental ride across the U.S. Mostly solo and self-contained, he traveled from ocean to ocean, starting in St. Augustine, Florida, and pedaling to San Diego. Never one to rest on his laurels, Steve turned around a few years later in 2019 and completed the north-south route, starting in Bar Harbor, Maine, and finishing by dipping his bike tire in the ocean in Key West.
Steve also prided himself on "The Streak." Starting in January 2014, he rode his bicycle every day without fail for at least 30 minutes, and when he was killed, he was in the midst of his 2,305th consecutive day of cycling. The cumulative mileage ridden during The Streak totaled 40,430 miles – enough distance to go more than one and a half times around the circumference of the planet.
Steve was a devoted, lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. He grew up nearby and played basketball as a child in the church's courtyard with the minister. As an adult, he would bike from Oviedo to Sunday morning service and spend his ride home contemplating God's love. His faith was steadfast.
Published by Orlando Sentinel from Jul. 30 to Aug. 1, 2021.
Steve was born November 23, 1943, in Orlando, Florida to the late Richard Carroll Steck and Helen Rowe McKenney Steck. He is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Desta Horner; his brother, Rich Steck (Judy); his children, Catherine Steck McManus (Sean), Debby Horner (David Williams) and Michael Horner (Abby); his five cherished grandchildren, Jack, Ben, Caitlin, Eleanor and Lawson; and many other loved and loving extended family members and friends. While in high school, Steve started a remarkably successful career in the news media working in TV production at WFTV/Channel 9. Eight years later, in 1967, he joined the Central Florida public broadcasting station of WMFE as production manager. Five years later, he became the youngest station manager in the U.S. public television system. Over the next 36 years of his long and remarkable tenure at WMFE, he served as President and CEO, launching the 90.7 WMFE-FM radio station, transitioning the stations to high-definition television and digital radio, while raising millions of dollars to support and expand public broadcasting in Central Florida. Retirement from WMFE did not mean Steve stopped innovating in media. In 2008, he founded the Carroll McKenney Foundation for Public Media, or CMF, and become one of the region's first news podcasters. Over the next five years, he and wife Desta wrote, recorded, produced and posted more than 300 podcast episodes covering local life in Central Florida. Steve was also an extraordinary, globe-trotting athlete, and he loved working toward big goals. With running, he accomplished the incredible feat of completing a marathon in all 50 states. Though the 50 States Marathon Club is exclusive, Steve went the extra 183.4 miles to join the Seven Continents Club, a group of only about 800 runners worldwide who have a certified finish of a marathon on every continent, including Antarctica. Having achieved his marathoning goals, Steve turned back to his first love: cycling. Back in 1957, at age 14, he was Florida's runner-up amateur cycling road-race champion. Fifty-eight years later, in 2015, Steve completed a transcontinental ride across the U.S. Mostly solo and self-contained, he traveled from ocean to ocean, starting in St. Augustine, Florida, and pedaling to San Diego. Never one to rest on his laurels, Steve turned around a few years later in 2019 and completed the north-south route, starting in Bar Harbor, Maine, and finishing by dipping his bike tire in the ocean in Key West.
Steve also prided himself on "The Streak." Starting in January 2014, he rode his bicycle every day without fail for at least 30 minutes, and when he was killed, he was in the midst of his 2,305th consecutive day of cycling. The cumulative mileage ridden during The Streak totaled 40,430 miles – enough distance to go more than one and a half times around the circumference of the planet.
Steve was a devoted, lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. He grew up nearby and played basketball as a child in the church's courtyard with the minister. As an adult, he would bike from Oviedo to Sunday morning service and spend his ride home contemplating God's love. His faith was steadfast.
Published by Orlando Sentinel from Jul. 30 to Aug. 1, 2021.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
