Hospital dedicates bench to Steve Gottshall

By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV

“Steve was a kind soul. Someone whose compassion left a lasting impact on all who knew him.”

Becky Harless, who serves as Chief Administrative Officer of CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, offered these words of comfort and reflection in a ceremony outside the front entrance on Tuesday afternoon. 

Steve Gottshall’s family and colleagues were gathered at his workplace to unveil a bench erected in his honor after his death in August 2024.

“He loved recycling,” Harless continued. “Always mindful of ways to care for our environment. When we thought of the perfect way to honor his memory, a recycled bench felt just right. Both as a tribute to what he valued and as a place his kindness can continue to inspire us.”

The bench, made of recycled materials, is located prominently outside the main entrance of the hospital, adjacent to the cafeteria courtyard. 

“It’s really nice that his hospital family wanted to do this,” reflected Steve’s daughter, Sarah, after the ceremony. “It’s really fitting. He would’ve appreciated it.”

Dan Franks, a friend of Steve’s from church (First Baptist Church in Fairlea, WV), agreed wholeheartedly. 

“This bench is just perfect; it’s Steve,” he said. “The only thing missing is a recycling bin for aluminum cans beside the bench.” 

Steve worked as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at CAMC GVMC. He was also a Captain in the Army Nurse Corps Reserves. For more than three decades, he devoted his professional life to caring for patients on their way to surgery. 

“He was so very good at his job,” his wife, Connie, reflected after the ceremony. “His patients were well loved and cared for.”

“The hospital was a special place to him,” added his daughter, Abi. “He dedicated his career to helping people. We’re just proud of him and happy to have this bench to remember him by.”

CAMC GVMC is located at 1320 Maplewood Avenue in Ronceverte. Visit their website for further information.

Becky Harless hopes the bench will make a positive impact, just as Steve always did. 

“May this bench be a reminder of Steve’s legacy to care for another, to cherish the little things, and to leave, the world just a little better than we found it,” she said. “Thank you, Steve, for showing us how much kindness matters.”