Steve,
This thread has brought up lots of memories. First, I want to pass on my condolences to your family. I can't really say anything to assuage losses like that.
About running and the past, I had an observation for everyone on that time frame and maybe some advice for younger runners, and I also had a couple of questions for you.
I was in college ('77-81) and although I was ahead of Steve (sorry, actually I think you were hurt even more than I was), I was routinely beaten (demolished really) by Billy, Al, Rudy, Matt, Don and occasionally Art Boileau...not to mention our Kenyan friends at WSU.
Observation: I basically quit running in early 1982 at 23 with PRs of 14:21 for 5K and 29:30 for 10K. After getting in one really good summer of training, I had just run one of my best races ever winning the ORRC 30K championship in the fall covering the last 8 miles at a 4:50 clip (two miles downhill and then pancake flat) and I was pretty sure at that point that I could run a marathon in 2:16-2:18. I also believed that I could work down to the 2:12 range. At that timeframe though, there was probably 10 guys who could run under 2:10 and many, many more in the 2:12-2:14 range. And, I just didn't believe I could break 2:10 anytime soon or ever. My advice now to everyone is don't give up on your goals/dreams too early (and 23 definitely was). I agonized over that decision for 10 years--especially when I looked at the sorry state of US running through the latter half of the 80's (sorry about that statement...maybe lack of depth would be better)
Questions: Steve do you know what happened to Don (you were definitely spot on with your description of Don as he always looked like he could run through a brick wall) and Art? I saw Art finished in the top ten at the Moscow games in the marathon (for everyone else, he had dual citizenship Canadian/US), but never really saw his name again.
Also, what are your thoughts on why everything went wrong from the highs of the early '80s for the US. I've been in the Air Force and on on the road for the past 24 years (eight years out of country) and it never made sense. Along with that, on another sad note. Do you remember the name of young Athletic's West kid who died of a heart attack (low 8:20s steeplechase). Did a couple of runs with him and I believe he was a budding star.
I just want to close with my best to you and your family and want to you know that I appreciated all of the agony you brother caused me chasing after him :-)