Obituaries
Deceased Bergen Track Coach Dedicated His Life To Helping Others
Steve Adams, 65, was a renowned shot put and discus thrower.
RAMSEY, NJ — A deceased Bergen County track coach dedicated his life to the greatest of pursuits: Helping others.
Steve Adams, 65, was one of the most accomplished track athletes in Bergen County history. He was found dead in his Ramsey apartment Sunday. His body was taken to the Bergen County Medical Examiner's Office for further investigation, said Ramsey Police Chief Bryan Gurney.
Adams won the 1969 state championship in the shot put and ranks second all-time in the Bergen County in that event and sixth in the discus, NorthJersey.com reported.
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Adams taught and coached at Bergenfield HIgh School for 25 years, NorthJersey.com reported. School officials and others expressed their sadness regarding Adams' death on social media.
Sad news of the passing of long time BHS athletic assistant and supporter Steve Adams. You will be greatly missed. Rest in peace.
— BHS Athletics (@Bears_Athletics) August" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/Bears_Athl... 28, 2017
RIP #SteveAdams, #BergenCounty track legend, and one of the stars of famed '69 StJoe's track squad https://t.co/1cru44zCWw
— Bruce Lowry (@BruceLowry21) August 29, 2017
Adams attended and was on the track and field team at the University of Michigan and was elected to the school's hall of fame. He won a Big Ten Championship and
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He was also a member of the St. Joseph's Regional High School hall of fame.
He was diagnosed with leukemia in his mid-30s, NorthJersey.com reported.
Michigan head coach Jerry Clayton said in a statement Tuesday morning that the school was "saddened to learn of Steve's passing, though we are inspired by and proud of the strength and courage he embodied during his long battle.
"For everything he achieved during his Hall of Fame career as a Big Ten Champion and school-record thrower at Michigan, it all pales in comparison to the character he showed in the greatest competition of his life," Clayton said. "[He] willed his way well beyond even the most hopeful expectations and dedicated his life to the greatest of pursuits: Helping others as a teacher, a coach, a track and field official and a strong member of his community."
Adams' death did not appear suspicious, Gurney told NorthJersey.com, noting that it was hard to say how long he had been in his apartment before his body was discovered.
Visitation will be at Van Emburgh Funeral Home, 109 Darlington Ave., Ramsey Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m.
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Image via Pixabay
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