Original Post from 2 years ago:
There’s something reassuring about walking through the streets of Seminole Heights. Several times a week, I walk my dog past the gothic beauty of Hillsborough High School, up Seminole Avenue and back down Branch Avenue on the south side of Hillsborough Avenue. There’s a magical timeless feeling that nips at me. It is inspiring to step beneath the arms of majestic oaks that speak of generations of children that have climbed their arcing branches. I love how the rays of sunlight give a peak of heaven as they rain between the leaves. I treat my eyes to the candy of each home’s unique character and the splendor of gardens that showcase the flourishing life in their shadow. And every time I try to capture the experience in photos I fail.
If I had taken a different path in life would I have ended up in Seminole Heights? If the answer is no, then the journey to get here has been worth it. When I listen to the stories of longtime residents they remind me that the streets have had their own journey. The pride in their voices is obvious as their words dance with joys of the past and visions for the future. A future that I hope lives up to the past.
I wonder…I wonder if the streets would be the same if it wasn’t a local historic district. Would some developer destroy an old bungalow and replace it with a modern day monstrosity that belongs in a suburban sprawl. Would the character fade away? Would the streets still talk to me in the same way? Would thoughts of the past only conjure up disappointment because we chose not to protect this place? Would the personalities of my neighbors drown under the pressure of intrusive development?
But the streets I walk are protected. Knowing that they will be preserved for the future is reassuring. Everyday I bathe in the comfort of coming home, to relax on my porch and to breathe in the tranquility of Seminole Heights.
Thank You Steve Gluckman. You will be missed.
Your Friend,
Tommy
Old Seminole Heights resident.
Tommy,
Job well done!
In a very short time you have captured the feel of Seminole Heights. You have correctly identified the responsibility we all have in preserving our neighborhood. Finally, you have given credit to the one person who clearly stands out above the rest for making Seminole Heights a very special place.
As his friend of nearly 20 years, I know he would have minimized his role.
My prayer is that wherever he is right now, he is at peace knowing we appreciate him for a job well done.
I left this at the seminole heights blog earlier, as I was trying to shift through my shock and absorb this loss…Tommy, you don’t know me but I must say how your post is beautiful, captures what so many feel- no matter when in time they found themselves driving up and down streets, openly gawking at the beauty of this little piece of paradise, deep in the heart of Tampa.
I share this only as it is my glimpse, my little sliver of time, and my own little sliver of loss. Many are saddened and feeling this loss- in their own personal ways. What a picture of an adventurous, unique, individual, and magnificent life. Steve would smile that quirky smile, and in his own calm way, say, “well, don’t you see?” And head for another snack.
) Steve, you are loved, missed, appreciated for being YOU in a world that demands homogeny and sameness. thank you- may “heaven” be full of interesting people, open humans looking to connect, art, fun, laughter, appreciation, and of course, a good yummy free buffet! yeah! 
)
_______________
5:37 p.m. 12.12.07
So saddened to hear of this happening from a good mutual friend this a.m.
As someone who came here over a decade ago, bought a “crack shack” in desperate need of loving care, and ignored the “well meaning” snobs at the corporate office who exclaimed, “You moved to THAT neighborhood?!?” as they scrunched up their noses at me, meeting Steve was such a positive thing for me.
He encouraged my passion and interest in saving my home, and in historic preservation in general. He encouraged me to contribute all I could, wherever I could- so I got involved in my neighborhood association; and I went on to pursue historic preservation efforts citywide, and learned how persistent interaction with our elected officials DID positively influence them to listen to their constituents.
He encouraged unity and was saddened by the silly snobbery that flitted through the neighborhood- with folks feeling some sort of need to declare any geographic acronym (OSH, SE, SOSH) more important than any other.
I agreed with him- it’s ALL Seminole Heights, it’s all historic, and it ALL matters! We were of the mind that the disastrous choices of the past (ramming an interstate highway through the heart of a strong community) were not going to hold us back going forward.
Indeed.
He GOT it. He cared. He was passionate about the combination of people caring for a neighborhood while working to save our architectural heritage. Steve knew how it was more than just old wooden structures, or some sad misplaced sense of having the prettiest old house (or the “better” address)- it was about community.
You may not have always agreed with him- that was cool. You didn’t have to. The fact that you were caring enough to engage, to converse, to think of things in a different way, that was enough.
Steve was there, involved in every aspect and every event that affected our neighborhood. I was grateful for his presence and assistance when Janet Stanley and I gathered up a rag-tag bunch of “busy bodies” (as we were referred to) and watched our efforts rapidly grow into “Save Our Tower” (THANK YOU Friends of the River!)
Anyone enjoy attending FL Orchestra concerts in the new River Tower Park? Your neighbors spearheaded that effort, and brought the rest of Tampa with them.
This is only a small testament to a legacy that will continue on, for all our neighbors, for all the beautiful little kids I see joining our neighborhood every day.
THANKS Steve- for EVERYTHING. I am glad I knew you.
Michelle Cookson Geisler
___________________________
When David and I moved to Seminole Heights over four years ago, Steve was the first person in the neighborhood association I made contact with. He heard me out about my frustration with the post office requiring us to install a rural style mailbox in front of our bungalow. Steve urged me to dig deeper into the post office regulations, and determine how they can make us install this un-historically correct box. As it turned out, it was merely a request on their part and not a regulation or requirement as they would have us believe. So I was able to install an age appropriate box on the house. He also encouraged me to share the information by writing an article in the Advisor (OSHNA’s Newsletter).
Over the years I turned to him often, as many of us have, to discuss old house parts, restoration projects, neighborhood changes (whether we liked them or not). Steve’s commitment and caring about Seminole Heights was inspiring and certainly responsible for my getting more involved.
I will miss Steve terribly and especially his quirky sense of humor! I will always treasure the friendship we had.
Sherry King
Less than an hour before Steve died, chatting with him over a couple of cookies, it struck me how extraordinarily happy he seemed to be on this particular night.
Good-bye Steve and thank you.
Dorte
Every time I saw Steve I was impressed by his manner and committment to the neighborhood. He will be sadly missed but leaves behind memories in all of us for all that he contributed to this neighborhood. People like him are what makes this a true neighborhood and just a place to live.
Well, Tommy, you hit the nail on the head. Trying to organize a memorial Service (Sat 10 AM at the Garden Center) and contact everyone who needed to be contacted, I have kept myself busy to not fee. But, your very appropriate words broke through that and I suddenly found myself crying over a man I appreciated and fought with for yeas.
Susan
On this dreary 39 degree-and-rainy day we learned the sad news about Steve.
He was a good neighbor and deeply dedicated to the neighborhood and the library. And, man, did he know where all the good salvage material could be found!
We’ll miss him. Our sympathies to Steve’s family and friends.
Ross and Tami Bannister
Grapevine, Texas
Tommy,
Thank you for those words – it really reminds us of how important the efforts of each of us are to the greater good of the neighborhood.
Steve passed surrounded by those things he loved, good food and friends brought together by the common connection of a wonderful neighborhood that he helped foster and grow.
Regards,
Greg and Chuck
Steve, an archaeologist, spent his life discovering and preserving historic treasures. It is our good fortune that he chose Seminole Heights as his home. The residents of Seminole Heights lost a good friend last night; Seminole Heights the place lost its chief advocate.
I am shocked and saddened at his passing. My condolences to Steve’s family and close friends. He will be missed.
Thank you Tommy for putting to words, so eloquently, what we all feel about our neighborhood. A neighborhood that, without Steve, may not be what it is today.
What happened to the poor guy?
I woke up this morning thinking it had all been a dream, but sadly it is not…
Well said Tommy.
I have lost a friend, as has the neighborhood. We will never forget.
Cara