Stanley Gerard Stepnitz

Stanley Gerard Stepnitz (Stan), 69, passed away peacefully at home, Sunday, July 14, 2024, surrounded by the love of his children Abigail and Eli, and wife Diane. Stan was diagnosed with Acute Myleoid Leukemia (AML) on his 68th birthday, and courageously and quietly pursued all possible treatment options to gain more time with the people he loved.

Stan was born on August 10, 1954 in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Werner and Jeanette Stepnitz, the second youngest of five children. He graduated from Archbishop Brady High School in 1972. He moved to San Diego, CA in 1975, where he met Diane who was working as a waitress while he was a line cook at Daisy’s Diner. Their love for music blossomed into a deep, abiding love for each other and they married in Lake Tahoe, CA in June of 1977 before moving back to Minnesota to start a family. In 1983 they welcomed their first child Abigail and completed their family with the addition of Eli in 1986.

Stan studied at the University of Minnesota where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications with a minor in English Literature. After moving back to California in 1989 his passion for books and poetry led him to a career as a middle school English teacher, a role that he devoted himself to for the next 20 years, during which he was the recipient of the admiration of students, parents and colleagues, and many teaching awards.

Stan was passionate about all things related to words. A talented writer, he wrote poetry, fiction, non-fiction and songs. He loved reading books, watching Jeopardy, and was a formidable Scrabble opponent. He was a musician with an eclectic music taste who treated those he loved to serenades while he strummed his guitar.

He proudly embraced his identity as a comic book and sci-fi nerd, spending the entirety of his life collecting Spiderman comics and memorabilia, attending the annual Comic Con in San Diego and dressing as Spock every chance he got, in true Trekkie fashion.

Stan was also into all things country and western, and appreciated good boots, beer, and whiskey. Born a gambling man, he took after his parents and older brother in developing a love for the thrill of the slots and the lights of Vegas. Being unafraid to lose came in handy given his deep, unshakeable love for the Minnesota Vikings.

Stan loved a good road trip and he and Diane logged many miles, listening to their favorite songs and audio books as they traveled even as far as Taos, New Mexico. Late in life Stan also became a self-proclaimed dog person, at least for his dog, and in retirement found much happiness in listening to podcasts while walking his corgi mix Taima for a few miles every evening during sunset.

He shared his time and passions with those around him and despite being quiet and reserved, he was highly successful at indoctrinating his children, and grandchildren in them, logging countless hours of Jeopardy viewing with Abigail, Vikings games with Eli, children’s books and Marvel consumption with his grandkids, and Scrabble with anyone brave enough to take him on.

Stan is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Diane, his children Abigail (Anna) and Eli (Kimberly), his beautiful grandchildren Levi, Rosie, Tecwyn and Campbell, and his loyal dog companion of 14 years, Taima. He is also survived by his older sister Rita, his big brother and best friend, Walt, and his nephew and nieces Erik, Catherine and Rita. He is preceded in death by his parents Werner and Jeanette, his beloved sister Wernetta, and his sister-in-law Connie. He also leaves behind many friends and loved ones who will miss his gentle spirit and one-of-a-kind voice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or the Banned Book Mobile Tour (https://act.moveon.org/donate/banned-bookmobile) ensuring that youth across America are able to access diverse stories.