Edward Burton Stevens lived 89 adventurous years and will be greatly missed. He was born on February 3,1932 to Mildred Berlin and Jack Solomon in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Erasmus High School and attended Brooklyn College.
Eddie enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and was accepted into the Aviation Cadet program, graduating a year later as a pilot. As one of his first assignments, Lt. Eddie Stevens flew Debbie Reynolds and her entourage for one of her overseas Korean War USO tours. He flew 35 classified combat missions in Vietnam. His service was not acknowledged for 40 years due to their secrecy. Eddie was finally recognized in 2001 with an Air Medal for these missions. He delighted in attending reunions for the 62nd Troop Carrier Squadron.
He served his country in an amazing 20 yr military career, retiring from the USAF in 1972 as a Major. His overseas assignments included Japan, Germany, Ecuador, and Panama. In 1971 he received the Supreme Air Commando award. Eddie’s favorite plane was the C-130. While in the military, Eddie married Sue Stevens and they had three children together.
Eddie received a BS in Electrical Engineering in 1962 (Eta Kappa Nu international honor society) and an MA in Mathematics Education in 1977 (Phi Kappa Phi honor society), both from the University of Texas at Austin.
Eddie taught Mathematics at Sidney Lanier High School for 30 years. In 1999, he was honored as Teacher of the Year. He was loved and admired by his students whether they received an A or a C because he treated them all with respect and they knew he wanted the best for them.
During Eddie’s second career as a teacher, he met Judi Stevens and they married in 1986. They shared a love of scuba diving and dove throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Mexico, Florida Keys, and Bonnaire. Eddie loved boating on Lake Travis with family and friends. At age 66 Eddie and Judi made a parachute jump – he always wanted to do this but as a pilot he would say, “you never jump out of a perfectly good airplane.”
Eddie was a man of many talents. In 1980, he became a certified PADI Master Diver with several specialties including Diver Rescue and Underwater Photography. He built his workshop and carport, and a 500 sq ft addition to his house, always teaching his family about the usefulness of mathematics.
Eddie lived a rich, full life. He truly soared above the clouds and swam beneath the sea. He will be remembered for his integrity, love for country and family, sense of humor and positive outlook on life.
Eddie is survived by his wife, Judith Stevens; children, Jack Stevens, MD, (wife Teresa), Marc Stevens, Beth Stevens (wife Judy); step-daughter, Laura Luddy; Sue Stevens; grandchildren, Georgia and Grant Stevens and Emma Luddy; cousins Ellen Richman, Kenny Rapkin, and Eric Rapkin; and brother-in-law Martin Goldfarb. Thank you to special friends Susan Halseth and Valerie Hanft, and caregivers, David Jordan and Christi Jones and The Auberge at Bee Cave.
Major Edward B. Stevens, USAF, Retired, will be interred with full military honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to Divine Canines, Schrodi Memorial Training Fund, or Austin Pets Alive.
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