Stephen Chalmers Polley passed away suddenly on February 9, 2025 in Spearfish, SD. He was 84 years old.

Steve was born in Deadwood, SD on October 11, 1940 to parents Cleland Alexander "Bud" Polley and Beulah (Faughn) Polley. Steve's family moved from Lead, SD to Spearfish, SD in 1950. In his youth, he was a competition skier at Terry Peak and worked for the Lumber and Timber department of Homestake Mining Company. He graduated from Spearfish High School in 1958.

Steve married Cleo Gay McVey in Spearfish in 1960 and they had three children together: Justin Alexander, Tamara Beth, and Jason McVey. Together they moved to Ames, Iowa and attended Iowa State University. Steve earned a Bachelor of Science and Humanities degree in Sociology in 1972.

He made homes in Phoenix, AZ and then Sacramento, CA while becoming an entrepreneur running his Legal Support Services business. Steve married Susan Nelson in 1971 and they had a son together: Adam Cutter.

In 1991, Steve and his family moved back to the Black Hills and re-settled in his hometown of Spearfish, SD. Steve enjoyed planning and hosting many Spearfish HS class reunions to keep in touch with former classmates. Steve started Dakota Hops – researching, growing, grant-writing, and pioneering a unique frozen form of hops for beer brewing.

Steve was an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman. He was deeply rooted in the Black Hills community and its history. In 2013, he reunited with his childhood friend and classmate, Judi Black, following the deaths of both of their spouses. They were loving partners for over 11 years.

Steve is survived by his partner, Judi; his sons Justin (Kayo) Polley of Seattle, WA, Jason (Michele) Polley of Sammamish, WA and Adam (Trista) Polley of Aberdeen, SD; his daughter Tamara Beth Fitzgerald of Maple Valley, WA; sister Catherine Polley of Spearfish, SD; and five grandchildren: Joshua, Cameron, Dylan, Julian and Kira. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, brother David Polley, sister-in-law Bonnie Polley, brother-in-law David Maas, nephew Ty Fehrer, and late wife Susan.

A Celebration of Life gathering for Steve is being planned by the family for this June.