As a correspondent for several road transport magazines in Australia and New Zealand over many decades, high profile US trucking writer Steve Sturgess was a constant source of detailed and often ground-breaking reports on the North American trucking industry. Steve Brooks recalls the passing of a friend and valued colleague
Steve Sturgess was certainly one of a kind. The old adage ‘they don’t make ‘em like that anymore’ would, in many ways, be a fitting epitaph for the man whose smiling presence and quick-witted conversation hid a deep and determined approach to uncovering the latest developments in North American trucking hardware and performance.
From the highest offices of massive fleets to the executive corridors of some of the world’s best known truck and component brands, and possessing a deft hand at the wheel of any truck, Steve’s ability to deliver accurate and authoritative reports on the people and products of the North American road transport industry had few peers.
Born in England and discovering early a passion for automotive pursuits, it was his eventual move to the US where Steve forged the platform for a long and auspicious career in truck reporting.
He became, without question, one of the best known and most experienced writers on happenings within the North American trucking scene. With a naturally enquiring mind and inherent understanding of sometimes complex engineering developments, his association and camaraderie with a couple of Australian and New Zealand editors made Steve Sturgess an ideal ally and valuable correspondent.
He genuinely liked Australia and New Zealand and often expressed considerable regard for the character and initiative of trucking in our part of the world.
Always cheerful and thoughtful, Steve passed away recently from a progressive illness and his long contribution to Australian and New Zealand trucking media will be sorely missed.
He was, above all, a good bloke.