Steve Uhlfelder

Steve Uhlfelder, 76, a widely respected attorney, advocate and lifetime volunteer in meaningful leadership and public service, passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2023. He was a beloved Father, Grandfather, Brother, and Uncle who enjoyed a global circle of friends. Born on May 20, 1946 in West Palm Beach to parents Willie & Selma Uhlfelder, Steve blazed a lifelong positive path of making a difference starting with his time as a student at Forest Hills High School and during his years as an undergraduate and law student at the University of Florida, where his leadership skills began to blossom. In addition to being the Chancellor of his fraternity, Tau Epsilon Phi, he was elected student body president during a tumultuous time on campuses nationwide. His respected leadership focused on fostering robust debate on key issues of the time – but his unwavering focus was always on peacefully solving problems, which he masterfully did repeatedly. Steve married his college sweetheart, Mifflin “Miffie” Hollyday, and their 37 year union produced two children, son Daniel and daughter Ali. Being a father and grandfather were Steve’s greatest personal joys and he treasured any time that he spent with his grandchildren and all of his family. Through extensive experience at some of Florida and America's most respected law firms, including Steel Hector & Davis, the Ausley Firm in Tallahassee and Holland & Knight, he opened the final door to his own law firm in Tallahassee in 2003 as an attorney and lobbyist. Among his impressive roster of clients were giants like UPS, American Express, the Florida Press Association, and dozens of others. He was respected by all for his passionate leadership -- sought after and valued by six governors to help Florida work through the past 50 years. He also was tapped to serve and recognized for his leadership skills by modern American Presidents. Even in the sharply divided political era of the past many years, Steve was respected by leaders in both major political parties for his non-partisan approach to representing and advocating for his clients and his many volunteer projects. It was his greatest heartbeat calling to engage in lifelong impactful public service at the highest levels in multiple spheres, especially those initiatives that directly impacted underprivileged children and families. Among Steve's many leadership roles, he was general counsel at the former State Department of Community Affairs; Chairman of the Board of Regents for Florida's state university system; chair of the global Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board; Executive Director of Florida's Constitution Revision Commission; a member of the state’s Budget & Tax Reform Commission, in addition to serving many charitable organizations, such as the Guardian Ad Litem program, March of Dimes, and United Way of the Big Bend. He was the architect of Governor Jeb Bush's impactful statewide mentoring initiative that inspired 200,000 adults to get helpfully involved in the lives of children. He also was honored with the national "Point of Light" award by President George W. Bush. Governor Bush turned to Steve again during horrific hurricane seasons by tapping him to head the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund in 2004. In that era, the fundraised more than $23.5 million for victims of multiple major storms that pounded the state over a two-year period. As a descendant of Holocaust survivors, Steve felt passionately about Holocaust education and statewide incentives, tirelessly working to create opportunities for students and educators. He also was instrumental in helping pass legislation to create a Holocaust Memorial at Florida’s Capitol – a project he was still passionately advocating for necessary funding in his last days. In 2021, he was honored for his lifetime of service by the Holocaust Education and Resource Council (HERC). Though he retired from his practice in 2021, Steve never retired from deep involvement in key organizations and advocating for important causes and issues. He was one of the most influential and impactful positive forces in the state for his entire life and was always a champion for children. His exemplary example will continue to inspire all who knew him or of him. He will be missed by all who loved and respected him for his passion for doing the right thing throughout his life – and for his intelligence, wit, and kindness to all. Throughout his life, Steve always believed that he and all of us could still “do more” to help other people. His legacy includes that prompt and challenge for everyone. Steve was preceded in death by parents Willie and Selma, and grandmother Johanna Schloss. He is survived by his children and grandchildren, and other family: son Daniel (Michelle Hayes) Uhlfelder, and their children, Henry and Elizabeth Daisy; daughter Ali (Jeff) Barrett, and their sons, Bridger, Foley, and Fisher; brother David (Claire) Uhlfelder, and their children Will, Scott, & Michelle; sister Helene (Asa) Shield; Mifflin Hollyday (Rich De Angelis); cousins Sam Stern & Peter Stern. The public is invited to join family and friends at a memorial service set for 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 10, 2023 at Tallahassee’s Goodwood Museum Carriage House. The family requests donations in Steve’s honor to be earmarked for Children’s Home Society. https://chsfl.org/cpscampaign/ Rocky Bevis of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

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Steve Uhlfelder

May 20, 1946 - February 11, 2023