Stephen Mills

Stephen Lee Mills, 76, of Albuquerque, New Mexico passed away November 14, 2025. Steve
was born in Kansas City, KS. His parents were Leone and Janet Mills. Steve spent his younger
years in Michigan, then 3 years in Arizona, followed by a move to Albuquerque in 1981.

Steve is survived by a sister, Sandra Mills of Traverse City, Michigan. He was loved and survived
by long-time Michigan friends, Claude Zanetti and Carol Ulrich Mills Clark. Steve is also survived by a close circle of friends from the life he built in New Mexico. Brooke Fair and her mother Ginger Delon and sister Llayne Padgett family "adopted" Steve as a beloved member of their family.

Brooke cared and advocated for Steve in his final illness in the role of "closest family member." His other close friends include Janet Greenwald and Bob Aly, and Cecilia Chávez Beltrán. Steve was a cherished friend and will be sorely missed by those who were a part of his life.

A donation was made by Steve's Estate to the Albuquerque Center for Peace & Justice, 202
Harvard Dr., SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico. A memorial gathering is to be held December 12,
2025 at the Center to celebrate the life and share stories of our dear friend. Additional small
donations may be made to the Center in Steve's name.

It was Steve's life-long dream to live in the mountains of New Mexico. Steve loved hiking, star
gazing, bicycling, reading, math, and repairing, designing, and disassembling mechanical and
electronic devices/equipment. He could diagnose and fix almost anything. He was an inventor
and holder of patents. He loved cats. Steve was a vegetarian, student of philosophy, and a man
of peace. He was frugal but generous with his friends. He believed in self-responsibility and
self-reliance and distrusted government. Steve was a philanthropist who donated to a number
of nonprofits. Steve had a few small obsessions such as the value of copper pennies and his
theory on the dirt equilibrium. With close friends, he could talk for hours and hours. With
people in general, he was private. At the end of his life he lived alone in the mountains.

Steve's love for the environment was woven into the everyday choices he made. From recycling
to tending to nature with care, Steve believed that small acts made the world better—and he
lived that belief quietly yet steadfastly. An outdoorsman, Steve spent much of his later life
exploring nature. He adored cats and often hoped to welcome another feline companion.

Steve had many childhood adventures with life-long friend, Claude Zanetti. Both were geeky,
adventure-seeking boys. Star-gazing, piano lessons, tin can boat racing, bicycling were shared
activities. Steve collected pennies and copper. His parents seeking to feed Steve's expanding
interests, acquired an antique printing press for Steve. At the University of Michigan, Steve and
Claude became roommates where they shared a motorcycle and a telescope. Claude was
premed and went on to become a pulmonologist. Steve studied electrical engineering. Both
were SMART but Steve was a GENIUS.

At the beginning of senior year, Steve and Carol Ulrich were introduced by Claude and Beth
Pack, mutual friend of Claude and Carol. Steve and Carol immediately clicked and became a
couple and best friends. Carol graduated from UM, attended graduate school in Detroit and
became a librarian. Steve struggled to find his path and ultimately left UM to work for AT&T
Long Lines in Detroit. In 1977 Steve was offered a transfer to the Phoenix office—just one state
away from his ultimate goal of New Mexico. So of course, Steve and Carol accepted and were
excited to relocate. They sold their house in Michigan, packed up, and AT&T moved them to
Arizona where they bought a home in Mesa. Steve had a hugely successful career with AT&T.
He was their best-ever technician and solved all of the craziest problems with business long
lines. In 1981 a position opened up in Albuquerque and Steve made a lateral transfer. For a
variety of reasons, Carol did not follow. Instead, she took a librarian position at the VA Medical
Center in Prescott, AZ. The couple split but retained affection and contact with one another.

In the 90's Steve left AT&T and completed his electrical engineering degree at the University of
New Mexico. During this time frame he worked at the NPR radio station as an engineer and on
air. He also did freelance work. He invented a wand scanner geared for students which he
patented and later sold.

In the late 90's Steve's personal philosophies led him to the Albuquerque Center for Peace &
Justice and his friendship with Brooke Fair and her family. Steve and Brooke ran their own radio
station at the Center events and parties, Steve was the engineer and Brooke the D.J. They
broadcast the audio recordings of protests. They attended Thanksgiving potlucks and other
social events for over 25 years. Brooke and Steve could talk for hours on the telephone about
such things as the properties of plexiglass, turning water into vapor, and of course the value of
the penny. They planned projects together, spent birthdays and holidays together as Steve was
part of the Brooke and Padgett family. In later years Steve became a closer friend with Ginger
Delon, Brooke's mother. Steve and Ginger started spending hours and hours talking.

Steve was a brilliant engineer. In his work life he did private collaborations with Claude Zanetti
and other medical associates to advance Claude's work in hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Steve
also designed a hearing aid that did not require medical fitting. As a volunteer, he worked with
independent media groups to get the stories out that mainstream media neglected. He worked
tirelessly to keep the independent radio station, KNIZ, going by using his skills to shore up
outdated equipment. Steve's organization, Available Media, eventually turned over this station
to the Comanche Apache Nation. Steve collaborated with many community efforts including
Promotores de Derechos, Indymedia Media Center, Albuquerque Center for Peace & Justice,
and others. He was always open to sharing his expertise and skills.

For the majority of Steve's 45+ years in New Mexico, Steve resided in a small adobe home in the
Nob Hill Albuquerque area. About 10 years ago, Steve achieved his ultimate dream of living in
the mountains. He purchased a beautiful home in Placitas, N.M. on top of a mountain. Very
quiet. Very secluded. Very Steve. He continued regular social visits with Brooke and Ginger and
other Albuquerque friends during the Placitas years. He also had regular visits with Janet and
Bob and Cecilia and others in Albuquerque working on projects.

In 2023, Steve's health betrayed him and he was forced to leave the home and life of his
dreams. His last 18 months were spent at Revenna Living Facility. His guardian Angel Merritt
provided for his basic care needs. Brooke and Ginger provided bird feeders and the cat Garfield
to live at Revenna as a feline companion. Steve's Albuquerque family and friends continued
their friendship as best they could under the circumstances of Steve's health issues.

REST IN PEACE, STEVE MILLS.

We will remember you for your warmth, humility, and the comfort you brought simply by
showing up. We remember you as a kind, principled man with a sharp mind and a genuine
commitment to living authentically. We will forever carry your kindness in our hearts.

WITH GRATITUDE, ADMIRATION, AND AFFECTION

WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU.

WE WILL REMEMBER YOU ALWAYS

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