Steven Michael Kaufman, 73, of Ogden, Utah, passed away on May 6, 2025, after a valiant 30-year

battle with cardiomyopathy. Affectionately known by friends as 'Stevie K.', and by his

Grandkids as 'Pop', Steve was an ever-loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather, a

natural performer, a rockstar in more ways than one, a brilliant attorney and businessman, a key

mentor to many, and the best buddy you could ever have. Anyone who was lucky enough to know Steve,

calls him a friend, because that is exactly what he was to everyone.

Steve was born on July 2, 1951 to Terri and Gordon Kaufman in Spokane, Washington, three years

after his older brother Mark. Steve looked up to his older brother and followed him and his friends

everywhere. The Kaufman's first moved to Ogden when Steve was 8 years old. After briefly moving back

to Seattle when Steve was 11, the Kaufman family moved back to Ogden in 1963, where they put down

roots and truly became pillars of the Ogden business and Jewish communities.

Steve attended Mount Ogden Junior High, where he met countless lifelong friends, many with whom he

formed and played in rock and roll bands over the next 60 years. Steve later attended Ogden High

School, where he excelled academically and dominated the state debate scene with his debate

partner, complete with matching suits and the confidence of legends in the making. He graduated

Summa Cum Laude, as Sterling scholar in language, and headed to the University of Utah on a full

ride scholarship. Steve graduated from college in June 1973 with a Bachelor's Degree in Speech.

One week later, Steve married the love of his life, Connie Hoopes. Steve and Connie made their

first home in Ogden, Utah. Steve took a year off from his post-graduate studies while he played

four nights a week in his band "Still Rain". During this time, the band "Three Dog Night" heard

Steve's band at a bar in Salt Lake City. "Three Dog Night" was so impressed that they asked Steve's

band to go on tour with them. However, Steve had also just been accepted into Law School, and

fortunately for Connie, Steve wisely chose to pursue a law career instead. Steve always maintained

that it was the best decision he ever made, choosing to practice law over a career as a

rock-n-roller; choosing a profession that would allow him to be with his family and be the epic

husband, father and grandfather that he was.

In 1974, Steve and Connie moved to Spokane, Washington, where Steve attended Gonzaga Law School.

After graduating from law school, he was admitted to the Utah State Bar in 1977. After cutting his

teeth at the local law firm of Pete Vlahos for two years, Steve co-founded and maintained a

successful law firm in downtown Ogden for over 40 years. Steve was very proud to have served as the

Weber County Bar President and Utah State Bar President, among his many other professional

achievements and accolades. His main agenda as the Utah State Bar President was for lawyers to

conduct themselves in a way that bred trust in the legal profession. He took the famous line from

Shakespeare, "First, let's kill all the lawyers," and coined the new phrase, "Let's KISS all the

Lawyers." Steve practiced law in a way that led by example and everyone in the legal community, as

well as his clients, had immense respect for him because of that.

Even while maintaining his busy law practice, Steve and his bandmates still continued to live their

rock star dreams entertaining local crowds for another 50 years. Steve played bass guitar, sang in,

and was the front man for a rock-n-roll band known for the last 30 years by the name "Outrageous."

Steve's band opened for such major acts at Lagoon as Johnny Rivers, Jan and Dean, The Mamas and

Papas, The Monkeys, The Beach Boys, Tommy James & the Shondells, and The Buckinghams. Steve, at his

core, was a born entertainer!

In addition to his law and music careers, Steve had a passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Steve greatly enjoyed riding with his friends, many of them Partners in his firm and other local

professionals. He was equally enthusiastic about wearing all things Harley. But, he was definitely

happiest when his daughter or wife were on the back.

Steve's greatest passion was his family. Steve and Connie had two children, Kris and Shana. Steve

and Connie raised their children in Washington Terrace, where the family made countless friends and

wonderful memories. Steve took his family all over the world on exotic and educational vacations,

adding to the multitude of amazing memories shared by the four.

Steve's parents were very active in the Jewish community. Steve's mother was the first woman

President of the Congregation Brith Sholem synagogue in Ogden. Steve was always very proud of his

Jewish heritage and made sure to share his family traditions with his kids and grandkids. Steve

taught them there is much value in being unique and not fitting an exact cultural mold, but also

equal value in respecting others' religions and cultures. Steve taught his kids to be proud that

they got to celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas every year!

Steve and Connie moved to South Ogden in 1996, where they built their big beautiful dream home and

hosted many incredible parties. Together, Steve and Connie were truly a "power couple." They

complimented each other perfectly. They were happily married for 51 years, just missing their 52nd

wedding anniversary by one month.

Everything Steve did was with the singular goal to provide the very best for his family. As adults,

Steve ensured his children's professional success, inviting Kris to join his law firm, now known as

Kaufman, Nichols & Kaufman, and helping Shana to establish her local restaurant, Hearth on 25th.

Kris and Shana have both cherished the opportunity to live and work alongside their Dad, and could

not have asked for better support, a better teacher of life and business, or better company! Kris

and Shana are both forever indebted to Steve, as are many other local Odgenites who Steve has

mentored and helped in their careers.

In Steve's later years, he enjoyed the many family get-togethers at his home with his loving wife

and children, as well as their spouses and grandchildren. He always looked forward to his date

nights with Connie, and the time he got to spend with the many friends who joined them.

Steve had the gift of gab, which he not only put to use in his law career and band entertainment,

but allowed him to make friends with anyone and everyone who he met. Nobody could start up

a conversation and make another feel at ease with chatting, like Stevie K. Everyone who had

the privilege of knowing Steve, loved and respected him. Steve was a local icon and legend. He

will be sorely missed.

Steve was predeceased by his father Gordon, mother Terri, and brother Mark. Steve is survived by

his wife Connie, his son Kris (Meagan), and his daughter Shana (A.J.). Steve is also survived by

his four grandchildren, Dylan, Jayden, Venissa, and Hugo.

Family and friends may attend a viewing Friday, May 16, 2025 from 6-8pm at Leavitt's Mortuary

located at 836 36th St., Ogden, UT 84403. A funeral and celebration of life will be held at

Leavitt's Mortuary on Saturday, May 17th, at 11am, with a viewing from 9:45-10:45 am.