Willis Gene Steward

Gene Steward was born in Hastings, Nebraska on June 11, 1930, to Leonard and Christine Steward. Gene spent part of his childhood in Portland Oregon and Tacoma Washington before moving to Denver Colorado, where he graduated from East High School. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at the University of Colorado. Following a two year stint in the Army (stationed in Okinawa) and work for General Electric in Cincinnati, Gene came back home to Colorado.

He met his talented and devoted wife Marci while earning his Masters degree at CU. Their first date was at the student Union listening to the Glenn Miller band in 1957 and were married June 15, 1958. They were inseparable until Marci’s death in 2021.

Gene earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Colorado State University before moving back to Boulder to work for the National Bureau of Standards (later NIST) until his retirement in 1986.

In 1968 Gene and Marci, four kids and the dog Sidney took a summer long “vacation” in a camper truck and tent trailer to the state of Alaska. Upon their return, they all moved to Sugarloaf in the mountains west of Boulder and to the amazing house wrapped around his patented solar collector, that he built almost single handedly.

Gene died peacefully in his cherished home on August 10, 2025 surrounded by his family.

Gene’s faith guided him to gratitude for the blessings he received with lifelong optimism and good humor. He was kind and humble with a deep love for his Siberian Huskies and his family and grandchildren. He was a master of all and could make or fix anything and told silly dad jokes until his last days. We will all miss him deeply.

Gene is survived by his children Daniel, David, Darlene and Debbie and 10 grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 1001 13th Street, Boulder, Colorado on October 4th @ 1:00pm.

If compelled, please consider a donation to Sugarloaf Fire Protection District 1360 Sugarloaf Road, Boulder, Colorado 80302 www.slfpd.org

Or TRU Community Care (hospice) 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette, Colorado 80026 www.trucare.org