Stephen Edward Falke

1954 - 2018

Stephen 'Steve' Edward Falke, 63, of Bakersfield, California passed away peacefully on Wednesday afternoon, February 14th. With five loving women surrounding him, he lived up to his Venetian nickname "Hef" right up until the end. He continued to live life, travel, race, and just generally be the guy that we all loved throughout his cancer treatment. Steve was born in 1954 in Tonawanda, New York. Steve attended Palo Alto HIgh School and graduated from Incline Village High School, in 1972. Steve attended the University of California, Santa Barbara graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree in mechanical engineering. He married his first wife Maggie in 1977 and relocated to Bakersfield in 1984.

Steve married Collen Falke in 2005; Steve and Colleen loved to travel, golf, laugh and love. Steve retired from Chevron after almost forty years, through the Monterrey Resources, Santa Fe Energy and Texaco days. Steve loved drag racing his '68 Chevy Camaro at Famoso and Eagle Field, and tinkering on the Jaguar in his garage. Steve had an amazing collection of neon lights, model airplanes, antique locomotives and could challenge MacGyver with his ability to fix things. Steve loved Hawaiian shirts, making and watching fireworks and kept the world a happier place by speaking his favorite phrase, La Vita e Bella or Life is Beautiful. When you were around him, life was truly beautiful.

Steve is preceded in death by his first wife Maggie, his sister Christine, and his mother Anne. He is survived by his wife Colleen Falke, daughters Ashley Falke and Jeana Haskins, father Byrne Falke, Sr. and six brothers and sisters, MaryAnn, Byrne Jr., Michelle, John, Sue, and Kathy, and half a bottle of Bella Serra Pinot Grigio.

Service will be held 10:00 AM Tuesday February 20th (Steve's 64th Birthday) at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Mortuary. Immediately following, Steve's family invites you to a celebration of Steve's life with the location being announced at the service. Please join the family in wearing Hawaiian clothes, Steve's signature look. The chapel services will be officiated by Pastor Jim Glasco of 7th Standard Road Pentecostal Church, where Steve found comfort as a member of the congregation. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to City of Hope Hospital.