Stephen R. Crampton, 70, the loving husband of Susan C. Crampton, died of leukemia at Massachusetts General Hospital on Jan. 23. Before succumbing to the disease, he received a bone-marrow transplant through the efforts of Massachusetts General Hospital and also an experimental vaccine at the Dana Farber Cancer Center.

Stephen Rutty Crampton was born in New Haven, Conn., on Nov. 30, 1939, the son of the late Dr. Clair Beebe and Charlotte (Rutty) Crampton. He grew up in Middletown, Conn., an active athlete in basketball, soccer and tennis. He attended the St. George’s School in Newport, R.I., where he developed many lifelong friends. He graduated from Middlebury College in 1961, where he was a member of Chi Psi fraternity, Blue Key and Waubanaukee honor societies. He later gained his master’s degree in 1967 at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., followed by a law degree at the College of William and Mary Law School in 1970.

At the start of his junior year at Middlebury College, Steve met his life companion, Susan (Comstock). He felt their 48-year marriage was his greatest treasure and the bedrock for his life. Steve and Susan shared the love and loss of their first daughter, Karen, who died in 1965 at the age of two-and-a-half years. He carried Karen’s memory throughout his life.

After graduating from William and Mary law school, Steve and his growing family moved to Jericho, Vt. He practiced law for 35 years in Burlington, Vt., at the firm of Gravel and Shea, helping clients on their projects involving land use and conservation. He was known for his success in balancing the needs of land development and the environment. Steve was an early Vermont member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. In addition to his law practice, he was also an adjunct professor at the Vermont Law School in the late 1970s.

Steve first visited Martha’s Vineyard in the mid 1960s when his father, Dr. Crampton, assisted Dr. Russell Hoxsie with the summer rush of injuries and illnesses on the Island. He may best be remembered on the Vineyard as a steward of the Island’s land and its resources through various organizations. He served as president of Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation from 2006 to 2008, and led a period of great change and growth. He will be sorely missed on Hines Point for his cheerful greetings and self-appointed role as the conservationist who would pick up any trash along the road during his daily bike ride.

Steve was an avid athlete, playing tennis, biking, skiing, hiking in the mountains, and more recently, golfing, as a member of the Mink Meadows and Hawks Nest golf clubs. Many friendships and an active tennis league led Steve and Susan to Sea Oaks in Vero Beach, Fla., where they have spent many happy winters. He will be missed by the Florida Habitat for Humanity, where he helped quite often.

He is survived by his wife, Susan; his two surviving children, son Stephen C. Crampton and his wife, Rachael, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; daughter Kathryn E. Crampton and her husband Jason E. Lang of Ponte Vedra, Fla.; six grandchildren, Charlotte, Lucas and Bridget Crampton and Elizabeth (Ellie), Sydney and Samuel Lang; his sister Jane Reed and her husband Christopher of Cambridge; his brother Michael D. Crampton and his wife Ardith of West Hartford, Conn.; many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, including his nephew and “adopted” son, David Jones.

A funeral service will be today at 1 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church of Martha’s Vineyard, with the Rev. Robert E. Hensley officiating. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours.

Contributions in his memory may be made to: Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation (57 David avenue, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568); Martha’s Vineyard Hospital (sent to MV Hospital Development Office, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA, 02557); Massachusetts General Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Fund (sent to MGH Development Office, 165 Cambridge street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114).

As Steve was able to receive a bone marrow donation, please consider registering to be a potential bone marrow donor via the National Bone Marrow Registry at BeTheMatch.com. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Oak Bluffs.