1967 – 2003

CALIFORNIA — On June 14, Steven Newton Towle, 36, was killed in a backcountry skiing accident in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

His roots were in Auburn, where his parents, William J. Towle and Faith M. Towle (now residing in Raymond) grew up. As well, his four grandparents, Hazel M. Towle and the late William F. Towle, Lucy N. Webber, and Donald W. Webber, were lifelong residents of Auburn.

He was born on June 4, 1967, in Santa Monica, Calif., but lived in several locations in the USA as well as India, Thailand and Switzerland. He spoke French and Spanish and some Japanese, and had many travel opportunities throughout his life. Always a keen sportsman and outdoorsman, he was active in rugby, volleyball, soccer, skiing, hiking and cycling.

Academically gifted, he received the international baccalaureate degree from the International School in Geneva, Switzerland, bachelor degrees in economics and materials science and engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and masters and doctor of philosophy degrees from Stanford University.

Mr. Towle was employed by Intel Corporation in Chandler, Ariz., as a components research engineer. Recognized for his creativity, he received many awards for his numerous patents.

He is survived by his wife, Anna, and daughter Nimue of Phoenix, Ariz.; and his brother, Andrew of Cincinnati, Ohio.