When you look at a person like Steve Wyckoff, you do not just see a name. You see years of work, quiet service, and a strong love for his community. His story stretches across Greenville, Montcalm County, schools, conservation groups, and even the northern Great Lakes. Many people know him as a leader. Others know him as a volunteer. But all agree he has spent his life giving back.
You can trace Steve’s impact across many places. From Greenville High School to groups like the Education Foundation of Greenville, people remember him for his steady leadership and kind nature. When the Education Foundation named him the 2020 Outstanding Alumnus, they did more than hand out an award. They honored decades of service to youth, education, and conservation.
A Deep Love for Conservation and Nature
One of the strongest parts of Steve Wyckoff’s story is his long dedication to conservation. For more than 40 years, he worked with Ducks Unlimited, helping protect wetlands and waterfowl across Michigan and North America. He held many roles in the group, including State Chair, Regional Vice President, and even a seat on the National Board of Directors.
If you have ever walked near the Flat River watershed or visited a Ducks Unlimited banquet in Michigan, chances are you heard his name. His work reached so many people that in 2019, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) honored him with the Partners in Conservation Award. This award is only given to people who make a real difference in preserving the environment. Steve also served on the Citizens Waterfowl Advisory Committee, the Conservation Coalition, and the Mid Michigan Sportsmen’s Alliance. His work helped protect wildlife, wetlands, and local water resources.
Many people talk about protecting nature. Steve actually did it.
Strong Roots in Community and Education
Even with all his conservation work, Steve Wyckoff never stepped away from helping his local community. He served on the Montcalm Conservation District board, the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, the Greenville Board of Education, and the Education Foundation of Greenville, where he once served as Chairman.
These roles show how deeply he cared about the people around him. His focus was always simple: help the community, support youth, and give back to the place where he grew up.
A Career Built on Leadership and Integrity
As we move deeper into the life of Steve Wyckoff, we see his work go far beyond community roles. For almost 40 years, Steve worked with Marsh & McLennan Companies, one of the largest risk management and insurance firms in the world. He served as a Managing Director and Senior Client Executive in Marsh’s Global Risk Management Group. These titles may sound big, but the work behind them was even bigger.
In these roles, Steve handled some of the firm’s largest multinational accounts. He helped companies manage risk, solve problems, and recover from major losses. He even helped guide the successful collection of some of the largest claims settlements in the industry. People who worked with him often say he stayed calm during hard moments and always looked for the best path forward. This steady and responsible style matches the same values he used in his conservation and community work.
His leadership also led him to serve as a Trustee and Vice Chairperson in organizations linked to youth programs and camps such as Lanakila, where he had once been a camper himself. These roles show how his early experiences shaped the caring and focused person he became.
A Teacher, a Technology Leader, and a Mentor
Before many people knew him from conservation or business, Steve Wyckoff also spent years working in schools. He taught Earth Science and Computer Science, two subjects that help students understand both the natural world and the digital world. He later moved into the role of Technology Director, where he helped update and guide school technology systems.
Steve earned his Earth Science degree from Western Michigan University and a Master’s degree from Michigan State University, two schools known for strong science and education programs. These degrees helped him build a solid base for his work in teaching and leadership. Many former students remember him as patient, calm, and willing to help anyone who needed it.
A Life on the Water: Sailing, Exploration, and Balance
Outside of work and service, Steve Wyckoff always found peace in the water. He is a long-time member — and former Commodore — of the Grand Traverse Yacht Club. Sailing was not just a hobby for him. It was a way to breathe, think, and explore.
Steve has sailed through the northern Great Lakes, the North Channel, parts of the Caribbean, and even the San Juan Islands in Washington. These trips show his love for calm places and wide-open water. They also reflect the same spirit he brought to conservation — a respect for the natural world and the desire to protect it.
A Strong Family and a Steady Life
No story about Steve Wyckoff is complete without mentioning his family. He has been married to Dawn, a retired school teacher, for more than 46 years. Their long partnership shows the same loyalty and steadiness that you see in every part of his life. Together, they built a home in Montcalm County, where Steve has lived most of his life.
He also shares a special connection with his first family. With his wife Lori, he raised their son Nick, who spent several summers at Lanakila camp as both a camper and a counselor. For Steve, family, youth, and community have always been closely linked.
A Legacy That Will Last
When you look at everything Steve Wyckoff has done — from wetlands work with Ducks Unlimited, to leadership in the Flat River Watershed Council, to guiding major accounts at Marsh & McLennan, to years in education and sports officiating — a clear picture forms.
It is the picture of a man who shows up.
A man who gives back.
A man who cares about the land, the people, and the future.
Today, Steve continues to inspire people in Greenville, across Montcalm County, and in conservation groups throughout Michigan. His story shows what one person can do when they stay committed, patient, and thoughtful for an entire lifetime.
And that is the true legacy of Steve Wyckoff — a life full of service, leadership, and deep respect for the world around him.
