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It is with great sadness that I report the passing of our 928 Friend, Army Vet, and car lover Steve Hoyt. He died this past Thursday at his home in Minneapolis of Acute Leukemia.
Steve was a regular at Sharks in the Mountains and Frenzy, and had a habit of showing up un-registered at PCA Parades. In 2021, this even got him an article in Panorama for his high mile '04 Anniversary 911 at French Lick Parade.
Some of you will remember Steve from his '93 GTS with the U-BOAT license plate, or his '91GT XX8.
I first met Steve at Sharks in the Mountains in 2009. He, Chris Banus and I hit it off based on our military backgrounds (Chris and I were still active duty). We sat at the hotel bar in Banner Elk as the young bartender proceeded to tell us about her disdain for the military. We just looked at each other (with his haircut, it was fairly obvious that Chris just might be a Marine) and wondered what she was thinkin'. We discussed a course of action, but ultimately decided to just let it go and say "you're welcome". That was the last time we hung out there, mostly because we discovered a bar called Zuzda. I'm not sure how long that place was around, but we definitely had some fun there. I have pictures, but they will remain sealed.
We met at various events together over the years, including Rendezvous 928 in South Dakota, a few aforementioned PCA Parades, and called each other often. Steve even made the drive to Virginia Beach for my Navy retirement ceremony and to Quantico for Chris'. I never made it to Minneapolis until last week. Anthony Ratliff, Chris (who was in town from Japan) and I had planned to visit Steve in June, but he was having a rough week and wasn't up for it. We had also planned to take video at Frenzy so that everyone could send a message to him. When we got the word from his wife, Julie, that he didn't have much time, Anthony and I flew out this past Thursday to see him. Unfortunately, he died while we were enroute. We had a two-hour visit with Julie and his sons Danny and Luke, and made it back in time for Frenzy.
Steve was one-of-a-kind and a real piece of work, always giving us something to laugh about. He loved his cars and loved driving them. He spent many of his days just driving. No such thing as a garage queen to Steve. It didn’t matter if it was a rare car, he’d drive the crap out if it. That’s why his ‘04 Anniversary 911 has almost a half million miles on it, the highest for that model world-wide. He was 2000 miles shy of 500k. We expect one of his sons to take over where he left off.
I first met Steve at one of the MI "Sharks In Hell" events, then Sharks in the mountains, Frenzy and the South Dakota Rendezvous.
Steve would stop by the house during he's various travels w/ his Dachshund in the 911 he was also a collector of old military items as am I, always great a conversation.
He will surly be missed, God bless, our condolences and prayers go out to his family.
I've never met Steve, but as a fellow Steve and a fellow 996 Anniversary owner, this hits hard. I've followed his dedication to his vehicle documentation/mileage story and it's just flat out amazing. Truly hope his sons carry it on for him. Having a few boys of my own I know that's what I would want. RIP Steve, hope there are some insane mountain twisties wherever the next meet up is.
Wow! Steve was a great guy! I always enjoyed talking with him at Frenzy and also his Facebook posts with his car literally everywhere! He will be missed!
So sad to learn of Steves passing. I received a text from another 928er early this morning and wondered what I'd be able to say about our friend Steve.
Steve and I spent many years as friends - many hours on the road together just getting together or driving to events, the hospital, or places of mutual interest. His stories about being a paratrooper raised the hairs on my arms as he told me about narrow misses with aircraft while skydiving. Perhaps those near death experiences partially explain his need to drive and drive. Vets seem to like to get away... Steve was stronger than most.
Steve and his lovely wife Julie visited our home a few times over the years and they were a unique couple. Our wives got along well and we spent a bit of time hitting country restaurants and tiny towns that only Steve could have found. His sons Luke and Danny were important to him and he was so proud of them and their success and movement around the planet. Like him - they are intrepid and fearless travelers. I hope they will share covering the last 2,000 miles of the 40th anniversary 911, and share hitting 500,000 miles with us...
I think that Steve knew the roads of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin better than anyone - - - he drove them daily. As the present caretaker of the XX8 928, I had to stop by the Car Cave today, fire it up and take it for a drive in honor of our friend Steve Hoyt.
The world is not the same without Steve Hoyt!!!
Good Speed my Friend
I'll see you on the other side of the wormhole of time and we will share a good laugh at what a long, strange trip it has been...
I was really sad to hear this. Steve was an awesome guy. We met at one of the SITM the first time and I got to spend time with him and 3 or 4 928 events after that. He would call me a couple times a year just to chat, which I really appreciated.
At the Atlanta Rendezvous, he actually gave my son his "hot laps" at the Experience Center since I hadn't signed up in time - didn't want a thing for it other than to reward a young Porsche enthusiast, but that's the kind of guy he was . JP will forever remember that experience with Spencer his stunt driver.
I was really pulling for him to make that half million mile mark in his 911.
We lost a great guy last week and I'll miss spending time with him.
09-25-2023, 01:04 PM
RIP Steve Hoyt (911user)
