Conner,
My condolences on your stepfather's passing. I'm shocked - he and I are the same age.
In another life, I was a part of a politics related political forum, and we lost a good dozen or so posters. Each time it hit me like a physical blow. While I never met your stepfather in "real" life, he was a vital part of this community, and I thought of him as a friend.
Dammit, this hurts. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
-Jay G.