Beekeeper, Walnut Creek Farmer's Market Regular, Passes Away

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Orinda resident, beekeeper and Walnut Creek Farmers Market honey seller Steve Gentry passed away last week at age 73, friends say.

Gentry's family has lived in Orinda since 1870 and he sold products under the label Steve's Bees at farmers markets in Walnut Creek, San Ramon, and Orinda, and East Bay markets such as Whole Foods for years. He sold honey, beeswax, propolis, candles, soap and more.

Gentry loved bees so much that he sought out bee-printed fabric for custom-made shirts, said his mentee, George Serdyukov, who will take over Steve's Bees. He loved his mother, his pets, insects, teaching kids about bees, and playing frisbee with his dog.

Gentry co-founded one of the biggest beekeeping groups in the state, the Mount Diablo Beekeepers Association, Serdyukov said.

"He was so passionate about bees and educating customers about the benefits of local honey," said Harv Singh, director of the San Ramon Farmers Market. "He was really committed to his local communities. It was never about becoming this big large thing."

Gentry liked to bring his bees in a glass display case and sometimes wore his beekeeping suit at the market. Kids loved it. He gave them free honey sticks, Singh said. "It was always a spectacle," he said. "It was always the highlight of the market."

Helping people at farmers markets was Gentry's favorite thing, Singh said. He loved educating people about the insects that created life through pollination and made it possible for other items sold at the farmers market to grow, Singh said. Gentry was passionate about explaining the antibacterial, medicinal and allergy-fighting properties of honey.

Serdyukov, who is taking over Steve's Bees, said he first met Gentry while working at a hardware store in Orinda. Gentry would frequently stop by to purchase jars for his product and Serdyukov would ask him questions about his craft.

How far can a bee fly? How many bees are in a hive?

Gentry would always have lengthy answers. A student of biology and history at Humboldt State and Chico State universities, Gentry was very knowledgeable, Serdyukov said.

Gentry eventually offered him a job and Serdyukov studied as his apprentice for six years. He was hooked on beekeeping.

Gentry was a thoughtful boss, Serdyukov said. Serdyukov used to skateboard to Gentry's home and for his birthday, Gentry gave him a custom shirt printed with skateboarding bees — "the cutest thing ever," he said.

Serdyukov traveled the country working with beekeepers before moving to Cromberg, east of Chico, where he lives now. Wherever he went, he looked for the honey seller at local farmers markets. None were like Gentry, who Serdyukov said he continued to call and visit often.

Gentry had open heart surgery in 2015 and had an operation to remove cancer from his kidney more than a year ago, Serdyukov said. His health was up and down.

Serdyukov said he spoke with his mentor shortly before his death, but last saw him the day after Christmas, when he was struggling with his health. Serdyukov, who lost his own father at age 16, told him how thankful he was for the impact he made on his life, and for treating him like a son, and teaching him about life, bees and family.

"Steve was kind of like a second dad to me," he said.

It was a tearful conversation. But they were happy tears, Serdyukov said.

Serdyukov said he knows that he's got a lot to live up to when he takes over Steve's Bees. He plans to continue fulfilling orders, working farmers markets and caring for Gentry's bees.

Serdyukov said he hopes Gentry will be happy and proud of his work when they meet again.