By Matt Leingang
The Cincinnati Enquirer

OXFORD - Steve Termeer, a former math teacher and basketball coach at four area high schools, died Friday at his home in Oxford. He was 52.

Mr. Termeer, who won 232 games in 19 seasons at Talawanda, Miamisburg, Edgewood and Fairfield high schools, was diagnosed in 2002 with a rare neurological disorder, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

"We feel extremely grateful to all people who have helped us during dad's illness," said Kelley Termeer, 25, one of three daughters. "We were deeply touched by the outpouring of support by so many members of the community during the past 18 months."

Most of Mr. Termeer's coaching career was spent with Talawanda, where he coached the boy's varsity team from 1974 to 1989, winning a district championship in 1983.

He also won a district championship coaching the Fairfield varsity girls' team in 2002.

"He was always proud of the kids who played for him," Kelley Termeer said. "A lot of his players, even from 20 years ago, continued to write and stay in touch. That meant a lot to my dad."

Dave Bauer, who had coached the Fairfield boys' basketball team, said the key to Mr. Termeer's coaching success was patience.

"He was always very nice and positive with the kids," Bauer said.

The Termeer family plans a public memorial service later this month. Details aren't final. A private burial will be held this week in Dublin, Ohio.

Mr. Termeer was born on Nov. 4, 1951, in Dublin.

He graduated from Dublin High School in 1969, earned a degree in secondary education from Miami University in 1973, and a masteržs degree from Miami in 1974.

Mr. Termeer married his wife, Pamela, on July 24, 1971, in Dublin.

In addition to his high school teaching career, Mr. Termeer was an adjunct math professor at Miami University from 1990 to 1994.

In his private time, Mr. Termeer was an avid runner and a talented golfer who tried to get in at least one round of golf every month of the year.

"There came a point during his illness where he was in a wheelchair, but people would come and push him around the neighborhood, and he loved that. He loved being outdoors," Kelley Termeer said.

Mr. Termeer is survived by his wife, Pamela; three daughters, Carey Termeer Francis of Hamilton, Kelley and Amy of Oxford; mother and stepfather, Marjorie and Kenny Fulk of Dublin; two brothers, Robert Termeer of Dublin and Ron Termeer of Columbus; and a granddaughter.

Contributions may be made to the Miami University Foundation for the Steve Termeer Scholarship, 725 East Chestnut Street, Oxford, OH 45056.

E-mail mleingang@enquirer.com

Lives remembered