Stephen H. (Steve) Vanderver passed away on February 28, 2019. He was born August 13, 1940 in San Diego, California to Herschel and Delphyn Rosalie (Van Pelt) Vanderver. Although raised mainly in and around the Los Angeles area in California, his roots started close to Evansville. His father was born in Crossville, Illinois, and grew up in New Harmony, Indiana. When Steve was 2 years old, he and his parents lived in Evansville for a time while his father worked at the Chrysler plant.
Immediately after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served for 21 years and 6 days. His service took him to California, Texas, Turkey, Germany, Colorado (BS in Business Administration from Colorado State University), Japan, North Dakota (where he earned his MBA at the University of North Dakota), and Rome, NY, where he retired in 1979 as a Captain.
Steve went to work for Bristol Myers-Squibb in 1979, first in Syracuse NY as Supervisor of General Accounting, and eventually in Evansville as Supervisor, Fixed Assets, and later Automotive Fleet Manager for the Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Group. He took advantage of an early retirement program, and left Bristol-Myers at the end of 1993. In 1994 he accepted a position as Accounting Supervisor at Welborn Clinic in Evansville, where he stayed one and a half years. After some teaching at IVY Tech and consulting work in Kentucky, he finally “officially” retired in 1999.
In retirement, he worked on his genealogy, did some travelling, and found a new purpose and passion in the AARP Tax Aide program, where he eventually became a local coordinator, district coordinator, and state coordinator. He also served a 2 year term in the IRS’ Taxpayer Advocacy Program, and had just accepted a second 2-year term before his death.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Allen Judd, Sister Phyllis (Judd) Domes, and nephew Clint Cook.
He is survived by his second wife of 30 years, Linda Vanderver of Evansville; children, Joyce M. (Bert) Pray of TX; Stephen Charles Vanderver of NV; Janet L. Vanderver of TX; Karen Denise Armstrong of TX; grandsons Daniel, Brian, Cory, Sean, Stephen, Jeremiah, Jacob, & Andrew; and great-grandchildren Daniel, Aiden, Madelynn, Emma, Patrick, Alice and Grayson.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, with a Memorial Service at 6:00 p.m. at Alexander North Chapel, 4200 Stringtown Road, Evansville.
Memorial contributions may be made to AARP Foundation, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, or to Vanderburg Humane Society. Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.
