Steve Batterson Obituary, What Happened to Steve Batterson?
by Alaguvelan M | Updated Jun 30, 2023
Who was Steve Batterson?
Steve Batterson was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1953, and grew up in Belleville, Illinois. He graduated with a journalism degree from Northern Illinois University and began his career at the Des Moines Register before joining the Quad-City Times in 1983. Throughout his career, Steve covered a wide range of sports, including college football, basketball, and baseball, high school sports, and minor league baseball.
Steve was a skilled reporter and writer, and his work was honored numerous times over the years, including being named Iowa Sportswriter of the Year in 1995, 2000, and 2002. He was also inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association's media hall of fame in 2002.
Beyond his professional work, Steve was well-respected for his kind demeanor, generous spirit, and passion for sports. He was a dedicated mentor, and many young journalists benefited from his guidance and support over the years. Steve passed away on June 27, 2023, at the age of 61, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional journalism and a lasting impact on the sports community in Iowa.
his death has led to an outpouring of condolences and memories from members of the journalism and sports communities. Steve's work was highly regarded, and he was a prolific journalist who covered college football, minor league baseball, and other sports. He was also an emeritus faculty member at Emory University and worked as a Partner and Creative Strategy Director at Simple Truth.
Steve Batterson Obituary
The Iowa sports community is deeply saddened by the loss of Steve Batterson, a highly respected and incredibly prolific journalist. On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the age of 61, Batterson passed away, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. For 38 years, he served as a sports reporter for the Quad-City Times, providing coverage for a range of sports and teams such as the Iowa Hawkeyes, Quad Cities River Bandits, and Iowa State Cyclones.
Steve Batterson is survived by his mother, Frances, his brother Jeff, and his cherished niece Samantha. Visitation will take place at Jones Funeral Home in Washington on July 10 from 5-7 p.m., with additional visitation on July 11 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. A service will follow at 10:30 a.m.
Batterson was renowned for his unwavering dedication and professionalism in his craft. With an insatiable work ethic, he produced an astounding number of articles each year. Whether it was game recaps, event coverage, feature stories, or breaking news, Batterson delivered with accuracy and a distinctive flair. His colleagues, sources, and readers all held him in high regard, admiring his commitment and integrity.
Following his passing, social media platforms flooded with heartfelt tributes to commemorate his life. One message read, "Steve had an undeniable love for reporting on sports, and he excelled at it. He was the most prolific journalist I've ever had the privilege of knowing. We all feel the void left by his departure."
Batterson embarked on his career at the Quad-City Times in 1985, initially working as a part-time sports writer while pursuing his studies at St. Ambrose University. In 1987, after graduating with a degree in mass communications, he joined the Times as a full-time sports reporter. Throughout his illustrious tenure, he covered a wide array of beats, including high school sports, college sports, minor-league baseball, hockey, basketball, golf, racing, and much more.
What Happened to Steve Batterson?
In the early days of his sports writing career, Steve Batterson found great joy in sharing his work with his mother, Frances Batterson, in Washington, Iowa. With pride, Steve would hand his mother the latest editions of the Quad-City Times, each one adorned with a mark at the top indicating the number of articles he had written.
Frances meticulously clipped out these articles, creating a growing collection that quickly outgrew a filing cabinet and spilled into multiple dressers. The constant influx of clips left her searching for new places to preserve all those stories.
This abundance of clippings served as a testament to Steve Batterson's remarkable productivity and prolificacy during his impressive 38-year career at the Times. Sadly, on Tuesday, that chapter came to an end as Steve Batterson passed away at the age of 61 after battling various physical ailments for over three weeks.
His journey began on June 5 when he was hospitalized due to kidney, liver, and blood sugar issues. Although there were signs of improvement, he experienced a setback on June 18, falling into a coma for nine days before his passing.
"Steve loved reporting sports, and he did it with exceptional skill," expressed Dan Hayes, longtime executive editor of the Times. "He was the most prolific journalist I've had the privilege to know. We are all deeply saddened by his loss."
Beyond his professional accomplishments, there was a side of Steve Batterson that only a select few had the chance to witness. Despite not having a family of his own, he cherished spending time with the children of friends and relatives, and his infectious laughter brought joy to those around him. "Despite his professionalism, Steve had a playful side and a lightning-fast wit," shared close friend Joe Engel.
Steve Batterson is survived by his mother, Frances, his brother Jeff, and his cherished niece Samantha. Visitation will take place at Jones Funeral Home in Washington on July 10 from 5-7 p.m., with additional visitation on July 11 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. A service will follow at 10:30 a.m.
Fans Are Heartbroken Over Steve Batterson's Death
The Iowa sports community mourns the loss of beloved sports reporter, Steve Batterson, who tragically passed away on Tuesday afternoon. With a career spanning over three decades, Batterson was an esteemed figure in the field, particularly known for his exceptional coverage of Iowa sports, including his insightful reporting on the Iowa Hawkeyes' various athletic endeavors, most notably baseball.
Batterson's impact on the sports journalism landscape cannot be overstated, as many current sports journalists in the state credit him for serving as a catalyst for their own careers. His dedication, expertise, and ability to cover a wide range of sports with unmatched skill inspired a generation of reporters who admired his work.
Following the news of his passing, an outpouring of condolences flooded social media platforms from both fans and fellow writers. Tributes highlighted Batterson's professionalism, kindness, and genuine nature. Many expressed their admiration for his versatility and praised his contributions to minor-league baseball coverage. The loss of his byline leaves a significant void in the field, but his legacy and the impact he had on the community will always be remembered.
During this difficult time, our heartfelt thoughts and sympathies go out to Steve Batterson's family, friends, and colleagues as they navigate through this profound loss
Steve Batterson Obituary - FAQs
Steve Batterson was a renowned sports reporter who covered Iowa sports for over three decades.
On Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the age of 61, Batterson passed away, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.
Batterson was known for his exceptional coverage of Iowa sports, particularly his insightful reporting on the Iowa Hawkeyes, including baseball.
Many current sports journalists in the state credit Batterson for kickstarting their careers, as his dedication and expertise served as an inspiration to aspiring reporters.
Batterson's legacy encompasses his decades-long career, his influential coverage of Iowa sports, and the inspiration he provided to aspiring sports journalists throughout the state.