Remembering Our Founder, Steve Putnam Cramer

Steven Putman Cramer

May 17, 1950 – March 16, 2023

Steve was born to Owen and Maxine Cramer in Portland OR on May 17, 1950. He attended Bridalmile Elementary School and graduated from Wilson High School, class of 1968. He attended Oregon State University and received both a bachelor’s and master’s Degree of Science.

For over 40 years, Steve led teams of scientists in research to help resolve fisheries issues related to passage at dams, habitat productivity, hatchery supplementation, harvest, and pesticide effects.  He served the first 13 years of his career with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, where he directed major research programs on the Rogue and Columbia River basins (1974-1987).

Then Steve, with his entrepreneurial spirit, experience, and energy, founded Cramer Fish Sciences.  From its humble beginnings—a few biologists working with Steve in a makeshift home office—Cramer Fish Sciences grew into a sixty-person company spanning four western states. 

Over 27 years, Steve led CFS in conducting fish-related scientific investigations in support state and federal agencies, Indian tribes, and private firms. The focus of his research and consulting was the quantitative analysis of population dynamics for salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon. Steve led more than a dozen projects to assess status and viability of ESA-listed populations, and numerous projects to develop life-cycle models capable of simulating benefits and impacts to fish from a variety of human activities. He was frequently called upon as a speaker at scientific symposiums and as an expert witness in regulatory hearings and lawsuits. Over his career, Steve was a co-author on over 38 peer-reviewed articles, chapters and countless technical reports on topics including:

• Models to establish relationships between fish carrying capacity and survival to habitat features
• Research to understand fish population issues relative to hydroelectric dams and water diversions
• Salmon and steelhead population modeling
• Population status reviews for Coho, Chinook, and steelhead
• Section 7 and 10 ESA consultations
• Evaluation of hatchery management issues
• Effect of flow alterations on fish
• Salmon harvest management strategies

Those lucky enough to have known and worked with Steve marveled at his knowledge, energy, and vision for how the proper application of science could help to solve vexing resource management problems.  Steve was intrigued by and open to new ways of learning—he never hesitated to pursue promising ideas. With his employees as well as others, Steve was remarkably generous, sharing his time and his insights. He retired in 2015 and went out of his way to ensure that Cramer Fish Sciences would carry on his vision, but with his employees owning the company.  Steve loved what he did and continued working at CFS providing support and encouragement, including being a valuable external board member until the day of his passing. He often referred to CFS as his dream job.