Stephen "Steve" Paul Bovee

Stephen Paul Bovee, Steve, is now at peace after years of complications from two traumatic brain injuries and several minor strokes. Throughout his life he remained kind, witty, compassionate, generous, intelligent and humble.

Steve was born into a Navy family, one of nine siblings. After graduating from St Augustine High School, he followed his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the Navy in October 1963. When he could, he was exploring historical sights and dreaming big. In fact, after he read Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead, he decided to become an engineer and graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1970. With multiple job offers, he went to work at China Lake in Research and Development and received a patent in 1980 for a Spiral Helix Antennae. Throughout this time, he remained in the Navy Reserves.

His next career move was a commission to officer in the Civil Engineer Corps and during this time he earned a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech. He retired from the Navy in June 1992 as a Lieutenant Commander and in a few weeks became the Director of Construction Management for San Diego City Schools, retiring from that position in 2009.

Steve was passionate about life, family, and friends but for those that knew him – he loved all things trains, running, exploring the world, and fishing. He owned Reed’s Hobby Shop in La Mesa for 22 years, participated in SD Electric Railway Society, the Pacific Southwest Railroad Museum and La Mesa Model Railroad Club (since college). He explored the world through the Navy, with his wife and a running club known as the Hash House Harriers. Fishing...anytime he could – land or on the sea. His Cobra kayak was outfitted with so many fishing gadgets, it was nicknamed the grey battleship.

Steve is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sharon Smith, and his three children from a prior marriage (Thomas, Matthew and Stephanie). He also has three grandchildren (Emily, Nicholas and Bryn).

The family will have a private burial ceremony at Miramar National Cemetery which will be followed by a Celebration of Life in 2023. If you would like to contribute in his honor, please send a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.