Steven Patrick (Steve) Truitt, widely known and highly respected for his technical expertise within the theatre communities of Austin, Ft. Worth and Dallas, died Sept. 21 at Texas Harris Methodist Hospital Heart Center in Ft. Worth. He was 62. A self-described "theatre man", Steve, with his shock of black hair, black framed glasses, and black jeans, was a familiar figure backstage in many performance venues in Texas and across the country. His 37-year career began as a stagehand at the University of Texas Performing Arts Center in Austin in 1981 and culminated with his position as technical director at the Bass Performance Hall/Performing Arts in Ft. Worth, where he was employed for 21 years. Born in Midland June 7, 1956, Steve was the youngest of four children of Robert and Dorothy Truitt. The Truitts moved to Ft. Worth where Steve graduated from Nolan High School in 1975. He followed his two brothers and sister to Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX, graduating in 1980 with a BFA in technical theatre/theatre design and technology. In 1983, Steve married another Southwestern graduate, Deborah Barr of Austin. The couple made their home in Austin for 14 years before moving to Ft. Worth. While in Austin, Steve worked as master electrician at the Paramount Theatre where he worked with many artists including celebrated performers such asChuck Berry, John Prine, Lyle Lovett and Bobby McFerrin. Many dance companies in Austin, including Ballet Austin, Austin Ballet Theatre and Austin Dance Umbrella counted on his creative and technical gifts as a freelance lighting designer and technical consultant. He often collaborated with his wife in concert, dance and stage productions in Austin, Ft. Worth and Dallas. Steve is survived by his wife of 35 years, Debbie, of Ft. Worth; his parents, Robert and Dorothy, of Ft. Worth; brother Robert and sister Cynthia (Cindy) of Midland and brother Brent (wife Janice) of Plano. Other survivors include a beloved uncle, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. In addition to the immediate family, Steve will be mourned by good friends in their Arlington Heights neighborhood, as well as friends, co-workers and professional associates throughout Texas and across the country. Steve's talents and interests were wide-ranging student of comedy; 1960s rock; building and playing guitars plus a deep love of Texas and its history. He once took his Yankee brother-in-law to that most revered Texas shrine, the Alamo. It was there, Steve recounted, that an ancestor, Micajah Autry, perished alongside legendary heroes Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. He loved spending time with his father at the family's ranch near Stephenville, with its stands of white oak, ponds and a small, frontier settlers' grave site. It will be there that Steve's ashes will be scattered in a private family service. A celebration of life will be held in Ft. Worth at a later date. Memorial contributions in Steve's name may be made to Performing Arts Fort Worth/Children's Education Program, Maddox-Muse Center, 330 E. 4th St., Suite 300, Ft. Worth, TX 76102, or to a charity of your choice.