Stephen Francis Lodefink

Stephen F. Lodefink passed away on May 18, 2017, at his home in San Diego, California. He was born on February 11, 1938, to Vivian and Frank Lodefink and raised by Madlyn and Frank Lodefink. He married the love of his life, Teresita, on January 23, 1988.

He is survived by his wife, Teresita, brothers, John and James Lodefink, sister, Meg Piplar, sister-in-law, Pamela Lodefink, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by brothers, David Lodefink and Robert Lodefink.

Stephen grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was a member of the famous Stratford Ward Troop 78 Boy Scout Troop. As a teenager, Stephen, his brother, David, and friend, Barry Fisher, were members of the prestigious model airplane club, Salt Lake Active Modelers, started by Jim and Vivian Yardley, and they meticulously produced and flew many beautiful airplane replicas.

Stephen graduated from South High School in 1956, graduated from Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1960, with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, and received his Master’s degree from Stanford University, in Palo Alto, CA, in 1961. He worked for Lockheed Engineering in the space program and helped design the nosecone of the rocket that flew to the moon. He also worked for Martin Marietta. He later worked in the printing industry in Salt Lake City and in Payroll and Accounting for the U.S. Navy in San Diego.

Most of all, he was a complete gentleman, always an example of kindness to all he met, and honest and reliable in all his dealings.

Stephen Francis Lodefink

Feb. 11, 1938 – May 18, 2017