Steven Don “Steve” Vickers, longtime publisher of Drum Corps World, died peacefully at his home in Sun Prairie Wisconsin, on September 24, 2026, surrounded by family and friends. He was 77.

Steve was born April 30, 1949, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to Don and Norma (Ebert) Vickers. His lifelong love of drum and bugle corps began in 1961, when he joined the Hutchinson Sky Ryders. Steve marched and competed with the corps through 1969, graduating from Hutchinson High School, along the way in 1967. He went on to earn a degree in journalism from the University of Kansas.

Upon Steve’s induction into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame in 2007, DCI wrote “Steve devoted his entire life to the drum and bugle corps activity. He has been a marching member, journalist, publisher, editor, board of director’s president, show promoter, public relations director, philanthropist, historian, and advocate”. Steve had been inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 1994.

Steve is survived by his sister, Susan Allam (WR) of Hutchinson, Kansas; nephew Court Allam (Angie) of Olathe, Kansas; niece Lindsay Powell (Josh) of Hutchinson, Kansas; great-niece Alissa Powell; and great-nephews Landyn Powell, Brady Allam and Cooper Allam.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A local memorial service for Steve will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 16, 2026, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1602 N. Main St., Hutchinson, with the Reverend Dr. Kim Biery officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Sky Ryders Performing Arts Foundation, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main St., Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Steve’s passing is a profound loss to the drum corps community. His final wish was for Drum Corps World to continue to thrive, and that wish is already being fulfilled. A celebration of Steve’s life is being planned for Spring 2026, when friends and admirers from across activity and around the world are best able to attend. Details will follow a future issue of Drum Corps Worlds.