Steven John Adams

Steve Adams, who passed away peacefully of natural causes, was born in Chicago, the only child of Forrest Edwin and Cora Brazena Adams. Because of severe asthma, he moved at an early age to Arizona with his mother and grew up attending schools in Tucson and Phoenix. His primary interest during his teen-age years was amateur radio, “Ham” radio. After being mentored by other hams, he earned his FCC radio operator’s license, and amateur radio became a life-long interest. Steve’s activities in ham radio and his World War II experience shaped his adult life. He joined the army immediately after Pearl Harbor. After waiting until his class graduated, he entered the service as an Aviation Cadet. Not qualifying for pilot training because of his asthma, he was sent to South Dakota to a Radio School, graduating first in his class. He was then separated from service as an Aviation Cadet and entered service with the Army Air Corps and was selected to attend Officer Candidate School at Yale University. After attaining his lieutenant’s bars, he was sent to England as the Communications Officer for the 323rd Bomb Group, Ninth Air Force, stationed near London. After D-Day, his group moved to France and continued to support ground troops with low level bombing. He was rotated back to the U.S. after 11 months and was in a train on his way to the West Coast for deployment to the Pacific theater when the war ended. His last assignment before being honorably discharged, was with the Army Air Corps Technical Training Command in Florida where he supervised training in operation and maintenance of radar and all electronic devices used by the Army. He was truly a member of the “Greatest Generation.”

Steve never lost his interest radio and electronics. Immediately after the war he enrolled at the University of Arizona and obtained an Engineering degree, specializing in Electronics. In 1953, he came to San Diego to work for Convair, later General Dynamics, helping design test platforms for F-15 and other fighter jets’ electronics. He retired from the G.D Electronics Division in 1985. During those years he never lost his desire to be a pilot and he obtained private and commercial licenses and also flight instructor and instrument instructor tickets. He enjoyed teaching a few friends at a time. He decided he needed a permanent co-pilot and asked one of his students, Bonnie Beekman, to join him on a life’s journey. They were married in 1966 and spent the next 54 years enjoying flying, motorcycling, camping, and amateur radio. Steve was a member of the Convair/220 Club, the Quarter Century Wireless Association, the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, and a life member of the American Radio Relay League. In earlier years he was active in the Gold Wing Road Riders Association and the San Diego Flying Club. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie and many friends who will remember him as an honest gentleman, a willing and cheerful volunteer. Steve will be laid to rest at Miramar National Cemetery.