December 31, 1946 – February 22, 2015
It is with a sad heart that we announce the passing of Atari legend and friend Steve Bristow this past Sunday. Steve was one of the originals, helping out on Computer Space while an intern at Ampex, moving to Nutting Associates as an intern and then taking over for Nolan there when he and Ted left to form Atari. He joined up with his ex-coworkers at Atari for a short while before being tapped to form Kee Games with Joe and Patricia Keenan. There he lead the creation of several ground breaking arcade games such as the full color multiplayer Indy 800 and the seminal game Tank. Upon the merger, he became VP of Engineering in the Coin Division and oversaw Atari’s Coin engineering as well as later projects like the Electronic Board Game Division and became Plant Manager Pinball Production before moving to VP Engineering in the Consumer and Home Computer Division then VP Engineering of the Consumer Game Division in the early 80s. From there he moved to VP Advanced Technology, then VP Engineering of the AtariTel Division and then finally VP Engineering of the Computer Division and Atari Fellow before leaving Atari all together in February ’84. He continued on with an impressive electrical engineering career after words, but it’s his time and accomplishments (and all the fun he brought us) at Atari that are the reason we’re all here. He will be sorely missed.
Two pictures (from the Atari Museum archive) that represent two facets of Steve as a person. On the left is Steve during an Atari staff trip to Magic Mountain in the mid 70s. On the right is Steve during a work visit to Japan (NAMCO head Masaya Nakamura to his right and Atari Japan/NAMCO-American/
Commentary by former Co-Workers:
Ted Dabney: This is terrible news. Steve was a very nice guy and a good friend. I have no words to express my shock and sadness.
Loni Reeder: Steve was so friendly, open, amazing, smart – and FUNNY! Those Friday nights at Khartoom’s when we’d all hang out, drink, play batgammon – I worked in Corporate – not Engineering, but Steve ALWAYS made sure that I felt included to come and hang out with the coin-op crew. I guess I was kind of ‘honorary coin-op’ because of Steve. Because of him, I made a lot of friends – many that I still have to this day. To say he will be missed is an understatement – he was a huge part of the ‘heart’ of Atari. I’m beyond speechless, and so very, very sad.
Elaine Shirley: One of the original Atarians. I remember him well from those early days. So glad we got to visit with him at the last reunion. We lost another one today. Too many of our buddies have passed this year.
Dan Kramer: Steve was my Engineering VP when I started in 1980 at 1272 Borregas. Great guy; he had a late 1940s Seeburg “Trashcan” juke box! I will always remember him for his mutton chops…
Bob Warne: I am extremely saddened to hear of my old friend Steve passing away. I worked for Steve at Atari in many different groups as well as at Wright Communications and TIE Communications over many years and he was a great guy to work with and a great friend. I will miss him dearly.
Linda Goytil: Steve, I’ll always miss the days of you and Patti! I cherish those days with like it was yesterday! I give my encouragement and strength to Patti and the families for every minute possible! Thank you for being my friend!!!
Kevin Hayes: Steve was an original. Great sense of fun and mischief. Sad to hear he has gone from us so young.
Bob Weiss: Ran across Steve not that long ago in Los Altos, always enjoyed talking with him, a unique and special guy.
Dan Corona: I worked with Steve a couple times, Steve Bristow was a special person. I have many great memories of working with him. It’s hard to believe he is gone.
Steve Bicker: I definitely remember Steve Bristow. He was an amazing talent.
Don Lang: RIP, Steve. It was a pleasure working with you. Travel well.
Kevin Hayes: Steve was an original, unforgettable. A comparatively young man. I always enjoyed him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis!
Stephanie Bohannon: Samaniego RIP, very nice man!
Frank Ballouz: RIP, Steve…my sincere condolences to Patty, family & friends!
Carol Kantor: Steve was definitely a big part of the Atari Family… his legacy will be remembered.
Jerry Momoda: I personally didn’t work with Steve, but know of the respect that early Atarian’s have for him. RIP Steve. Thanks for the great contributions to Atari and the game industry.
Nancy Fay: Sorry to hear of this loss. Steve was definitely a genius. May God Bless his family at these times of sorrow.
Gene Albretsen: So sad to hear Steves passing, I always had alot of respect for him, very special person.
Gary Cunningham: I remember Steve continuing to drive his ’56 Chevy to work long after he could have bought any car in the world he wanted.
Darl Davidson: Steve was a true friend. we became close when we were both at Data East. See you on the back side Steve. I am sitting here in shock. This is truly a very sad day. Steve was one of a kind and did not give a crap what others thought. He was his own man. If you knew him, you loved him.
Bill Lapham: I worked with Steve during those Golden Years. He was to say the least a huge innovator and source of true inspiration.