Steven R Hurst's Obituary
DECATUR - Steven R. Hurst, 77, died at his home on Thursday, October 3, in Decatur. The family will be hosting an informal memorial at Rock Springs Conservation Area at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 13. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Humane Society. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
. Hurst was born in Macomb, Illinois, on March 13, 1947, to Charles and Mary Hurst. The family moved to Decatur in 1951 and lived in The Elms neighborhood throughout his childhood. He took his first job when he was 10 years old delivering the Decatur Review newspaper, foreshadowing his remarkable career as a journalist. He was a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, where he met Kathy Beaman, who he married on December 16, 1967. He graduated from Millikin University where he first became interested in journalism and determined to cover the fascinating events unfolding across the world. He began his career (you can read more about that here: https://apnews.com/article/ap-journalist-steven-hurst-dead-15823ce31312286d9dd95bdce8df7ff6 ) working with the Herald & Review and went on to earn a master’s degree in journalism at the University of Missouri. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Associated Press (AP) and in 1979 was posted in Soviet Moscow, where he covered breaking news for the AP, NBC, and CNN, earning many prestigious awards, including a Peabody and an Emmy. He lived and worked abroad, mostly in Moscow, through 1993 and developed a deep love and fascination for Russia. But it was away from the intrigue, fast pace, and intense coverage of Cold War Moscow that he discovered one of the joys of his life: tending to his garden sheltered among the birch and pine trees at his Russian cottage near the Moscow River, where he spent his free time. Mr. Hurst and his wife had three children: Sally Hurst of Amman, Jordan, married to Ghazi Balkiz; Anne Alavi of Oslo, Norway, married to Samad Alavi; and Ellen Hurst of Seattle, Washington, married to Kevin O’Rourke. His grandchildren are Gabriel O’Rourke, Mina Alavi, Zain Alavi, and Caroline O’Rourke. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife. He leaves a sister, Patricia Smith of Decatur, Illinois, many nieces and nephews, and his dear friend Betsy Barker. In addition to his remarkable career in journalism, Mr. Hurst was known for his love of the natural world. Some of his fondest memories were fishing in the Sangamon River as a young man. Later in life he enjoyed gardening and keeping bees, and he loved visiting the vast wildernesses of state and national parks around the country. He was also an animal lover—ever a champion of the underdog, he was a staunch defender of our world’s most vulnerable citizens. Endlessly curious and always learning about the world, he was eager to share his enthusiasm and wisdom with those around him. His family will miss his brilliant guiding light.
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