Teiwaz Taliesen Steenblock Smith: ‘Teiwaz was a true original, one who loved deeply and lived exuberantly and authentically.’

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picture of Teiwaz Taliesen Steenblock Smith

Teiwaz Taliesen Steenblock Smith: January 8, 1987-December 18, 2019

Teiwaz Taliesen Steenblock Smith, born January 8, 1987, passed on with his beloved wolf, Katchi, by his side on December 18, 2019, at the age of 32. A lifelong part of the Willow Creek community, Teiwaz was never happier than when he was in nature––climbing trees, kayaking, backpacking, snowboarding, or swimming in the Trinity River––or with family and friends, singing and making music, juggling, dancing, and sharing a bonfire under the stars.

Teiwaz had an infectious joy and unparalleled zest for life. He radiated love, living up to his middle name, Taliesen, which means “shining brow.” He would light up any room that he entered and effortlessly made friends with everyone, everywhere he went, with his genuineness, charm, and generosity. Teiwaz was a true original, one who loved deeply and lived exuberantly and authentically.

Attending Trinity Valley Elementary and Arcata High School, Teiwaz sang in the Madrigal Choir, ran track, and played soccer, and was awarded for sustainable energy research by county and state science fairs for inventing a breakthrough hydrogen storage solution that he dubbed Hydrofoam. Teiwaz attended the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he double majored in Chemistry and Environmental Studies and played Black Tide Ultimate Frisbee––the team would remain an important touchstone throughout his life. He had a brilliant mind, undertaking advanced solar energy research with Nobel laureates at UCSB, carrying out CO2 sequestration projects, and working at All Power Labs developing biomass-powered generators. Teiwaz found adventures all over the world, including multiple trips to his adopted home, Brazil––where he journeyed solo up the Amazon River, teaching indigenous communities how to build low-cost solar panels––and Asia and Latin America, where he developed bioenergy projects. Teiwaz Taliesen remained integral to his family’s homestead, vision, and projects, including forest restoration and Circus Nature’s educational performances. He was committed to improving the world, and he lived out his values as a champion for the Earth. Katchi, Teiwaz’s wolf, was his constant companion and shared Teiwaz’s big heart, intelligence, and deep loyalty––his spirit animal in the truest sense of the word. They are gone far too soon, but they will live forever in our hearts and memories.

Teiwaz Taliesen’s inspirations are carried on by his parents, Bede and Denise Steenblock Smith; his sisters, Ariel and Tinuviel Steenblock Smith; his brother, Brook Nichols; his uncle, Mike Steenblock; his grandmother, Bobbie Ahern; and his grandparents, Fredric and Sandra Gey; and countless other loving family members and friends.

There will be a celebration of Teiwaz Taliesen’s Life and Gifts in mid-February. In lieu of sending flowers, the family requests you to reach out kindly in care of all beings as we re-create and restore our world. Contributing to wolf conservation, the Northcoast Environmental Center, and support for indigenous people and others protecting our environment and Earth are all appropriate ways to honor Teiwaz.

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Willie Caos-mayham
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4 years ago

🕯🕯RIP Earth Child 🕊🕊🛐

Annie Gunn
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Annie Gunn
4 years ago

He caused the crash that took lives of people and animals. Fell asleep at the wheel-? It was in the news.

Miguel
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Miguel
4 years ago
Reply to  Annie Gunn

Well, aren’t you just a sweetheart. A tragic accident, lives lost and families devastated, so you lay blame. Yes, it was in the news, are you just waking up? Closure please, not crime scene investigator wannabe guesses. Rest in peace to those lives lost.

I hope you find happiness Annie
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I hope you find happiness Annie
4 years ago
Reply to  Annie Gunn

Are you serious? This not the place for your extremely insensitive comment. Have some respect.

Native One
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Native One
4 years ago
Reply to  Annie Gunn

Really Annie Gunn? That’s what you got to say ?
This is someone’s child, and you want to be the one who says this kind of shit ?
Why not just keep your mouth shut !!! It’s people like you who piss me off ! So quick to judge aye ????

Yeah,sure
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Yeah,sure
4 years ago
Reply to  Native One

Because this troll LOVES pissing people off. It’s his life mission.

Willow Creeker
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Willow Creeker
4 years ago
Reply to  Yeah,sure

Don’t feed the trolls!
Love u Tae we will keep up your memory on the mountain.

Brandi hays
Guest
4 years ago

He was one of God’s children .he had the wilk to live 10 times any other man in his era greatly missed

adam
Guest
adam
4 years ago

There can only be one Teiwaz. I’m so sorry for both families experiencing that are experiencing this loss

Grace Nichols
Guest
3 years ago

Rest in Peace and Power, Teiwaz. Many Northcoast roads are treacherous and many of us push ourselves harder than we should to keep driving when we shouldn’t. We should watch out for ourselves and practice being compassionate towards our friends… it could have been anyone! Whom can you reassure that they don’t have to meet a deadline if it isn’t certain they can stay awake in the car in the heat long enough to get there?