Stephen G. Pinney PE

Regarded as the “American Flag Pin Man,” Stephen Gifford Pinney died on August 23, 2019. He gave flag pins to hundreds of people he saw in banks, stores, restaurants, on planes, etc. He truly loved his country.

Steve was born on July 21, 1936 in Waterbury, Connecticut. He lived and went to school in Torrington, CT, where he excelled in competitive swimming. Steve Pinney was a powerful, yet graceful swimmer, winning countless awards. In the late 1950s, he had the distinction of being a four-time All-American, twice while at Torrington High School and twice at the University of Connecticut, where he also became a swim coach.

He graduated with Bachelor of Science degrees in agriculture engineering and civil engineering from the University of Connecticut and was a member of the Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society. He went on to obtain his Master of Science degree in Business Management from Florida State University. Steve was a registered professional engineer (PE) and certified with Society of Protective Coatings and National Association of Corrosion Engineers, along with being a licensed PE in 14 states.

Steve worked as a project engineer for the NASA Apollo 11 program, where he established the original panel test site for exterior modifications and field inspections. He later began his own engineering firm, S. G. Pinney & Associates (dba Underwater Engineering Services), and became the largest employer in Port St. Lucie, Florida in 1977 with more than 100 employees. As CEO and president, he led the company in international coating inspection, training, dispute resolution, and sales of inspection instruments and environmental monitoring equipment.

A worldwide expert in corrosion engineering, Steve served as chairman and a director in the prestigious National Association of Corrosion Engineers and the Society of Protective Coatings. He became a technical editor, heading committees that developed ASTM policies and procedures for specifications of paint coatings and surface application. Steve performed expert testimony for multimillion-dollar corporate cases regarding surface coatings.

Steve was a Mayflower descendant through the lineage of both his father and mother. He is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He and his wife were avid world travelers, having visited more than 40 countries the world and 35 states. They have six children (three, his and three, hers). Steve has eleven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He loved to golf, boating, fishing, and reading in his pastime.

Steve Pinney is survived by his loving wife, Teri Pinney—his daughter Karen Gardoski and her husband Ron; their children Rachael (Dominic, husband and children Charlotte and Sienna); Meghan (Jessie Sutton, husband); and Carrie Gardoski—his daughter Linda Sapp and her husband Garrett; their children Thomas J. King (Janine, wife; children Seth, Devin, and Mariah); Melissa Durham (children Leif and Story); and Stephen King—his son Michael Pinney and his wife Susan; their children Jason Pinney (Brittany, wife and children Myla and Lucas); Christopher Pinney (Jocelyn, wife and their children Wyatt and Makayla); Sara Scarborough (Collin, husband); and Greg Pinney; also, his stepchildren Angela Willard (Ben, husband; children Caleb Nation and Michelle Tuttle); Lynn Kahue; and Brandon Reid (Nicole, wife; daughter Simone); and his brother, David Pinney (Erie, wife).

A memorial service will be held in Stephen G. Pinney’s honor on Saturday, September 14, 2019 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Aycock Traditions, 12571 Tradition Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL.