Stephen H. Sentoff

Stephen’s Livestream Service will begin at 6:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. 1. Scroll down to the Events, under the Livestream Service click on “Watch Event.” or 2. Click on Tribute wall (above) and select “Watch Now.” MADISON - Stephen Hedley Sentoff, age 70, of Madison, formerly of West Chicago, Ill., passed away on Monday, April 5, 2021, at UW Hospital. Born on April 2, 1951, in Amityville, N.Y., to O. Hedley and Joyce (Bruford) Sentoff. Steve grew up in Massapequa, N.Y. He received his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1969 and his master's degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin in 1975 and 1977. While at the UW, Steve met Monica Balozy, also of the Mathematics Department, and they married in 1977. After graduation, they moved to Illinois to work as Telecommunications Engineers for Bell Labs until retiring in April 2005. Steve volunteered with the West Chicago Prairie Stewardship Group from 1990 until 2016. He served as its president from 2001 until 2016. From 2006 to 2016, Steve and Monica both volunteered with the Field Museum in Chicago. After moving back to Madison in 2016, Steve began volunteering with the Lakeshore Nature Preserve and was one of the Preserve’s most trusted volunteers. He joined the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve in 2017 and became President of the Friends in 2019. In 2016, Steve and Monica started volunteering with the Wisconsin Historical Society. They worked behind the scenes, transcribing handwritten ledger entries and later assisting with the collection move to the State Archive Preservation Facility. Steve was known for his calm and cheerful disposition, tireless enthusiasm and patience, and commitment to completing what he set out to do with meticulous attention to detail. He led a life of purpose and intention, dedicated to making things better. In addition to his loving wife of 44 years, Monica, Steve is survived by his mother, Joyce Sentoff; two brothers, Bruce (Patricia) Sentoff and Michael (Muriel) Sentoff; his sister-in-law, Jo Ann Balozy; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, O. Hedley Sentoff. A private celebration of Steve’s life will be held on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. Family and friends who wish to join the celebration via LIVE STREAM may visit Steve’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and click on the Live Webcast link at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Private burial will be held at a later date. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made in Stephen's name to Lakeshore Nature Preserve, Attn: Gary Brown, 30 N. Mills Street, 4th Floor, Madison, WI 53715 or online at https://supportuw.org/giveto/lakeshore/. Memorial contributions can also be sent to the Wisconsin Historical Foundation, 816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706 for the Campaign for a New Wisconsin History Museum. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761