Petaluma restaurateur dies

Eighteen months ago, Steve Thomas Tam began living his dream when he opened Gohan, a Petaluma restaurant that featured fine Japanese cuisine and a full sushi bar.

But the 38-year-old chef's dream was cut short Sunday when he died from a sudden brain hemorrhage at his Santa Rosa home.

"That was his dream, to have a restaurant where he could share his love for food and make people happy," said his wife, Linh Tam.

Food and the restaurant business had consumed much of his life, from the time the Santa Rosa native helped out at his father's Chinese restaurant to managing a number of local restaurants over the years before he finally opened his own.

As the owner and chef, Tam often worked seven days a week, pleasing the lunch and dinner palates of his customers. His only time off was a half-day on Sunday, the only day lunch wasn't part of the restaurant's daily menu.

"He pretty much worked every day," his wife said.

Linh Tam said her husband went beyond simply making sure the food he served was of the highest quality.

"It was not just the food, he created a warm and welcoming environment," his wife said, an environment that included background music he personally selected.

"It was a very personal place for him," she said.

"He touched so many people's hearts, from our employees to our customers. He always made people feel like they were at home," she said.

Tam was a member of the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to his wife, Tam is survived by his parents, Julie and Tom Tam of Santa Rosa, and his brothers, David Tam of Hawaii and Hayman Tam of Belmont.

Services are at 10 a.m. Aug. 17 at Parent Sorensen Mortuary in Petaluma. Contributions to a favorite charity are preferred.

-- Mike McCoy

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