Steve leaves behind his wife Dixie, sons Scott, Jayson and Ryan, grandchildren Scotty, Rene, Tatianna, Jayden and Jonah, many great friends and colleagues and two ridiculously spoiled dogs Riley and Holly.
Steve’s life started on February 9, 1948 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He grew up in Wisconsin with his parents Joseph and Betty and sister, Jane. His parents, both US Navy World War II veterans, must have planted a seed for patriotism because upon completion of high school, Steve joined the US Air Force. Well, it was either a love of country or an overwhelming desire to avoid the US Army draft. For the purposes of this exercise, we have given him the benefit of the doubt and assume the former. Upon completion of basic and technical training he was deployed overseas in support of the Vietnam war. During his tour he was assigned to the base electrical power production and facilities division. It is during this time he would develop the foundation of the skillset that would come to define the work he would do for the remainder of his life.
Upon completion of his service in the Air Force, Steve returned to La Crosse and decided to attend technical school to learn electrical and refrigeration fundamentals and servicing. Upon graduation he worked for Trane, an air conditioning design, manufacturing, installation and servicing company.
During his time at Trane, and after losing a bet, he was “encouraged” to perform wing-man duties on a blind date by a close friend. This is where he met Dixie. The awkwardness during that first date quickly subsided, well at least Dixie’s, Steve’s awkwardness, as it turns out, was permanent. However, their relationship quickly blossomed. After only knowing each other for only eight weeks they were married in April 1973 and have been together ever since.
In 1976, Steve was hired by the Holiday Inn corporation and for the next twenty-five years and he held numerous positions of ever-increasing responsibility in the hospitality industry. This was followed by another seventeen years with Westgate Resorts. He noted on numerous occasions it was his time at Westgate that was the most satisfying portion of his long career. This was because of the job-itself but more importantly the colleagues that until his passing, he considered friends.
Although problem solving through technical troubleshooting, project planning and close oversight and management was his work-passion, he also had other aspects of his life that were equally as important. Steve loved motorcycles, camping and outdoor activities.
Steve will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving father, solid colleague, proud patriot and a US Air Force Vietnam War veteran.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on Steve’s behalf to Pet Alliance Animal Shelter.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5