Marvin T. Stevens

With a flood of memories and a touch of attempted humor, we bid farewell to our dad, Marvin T. Stevens, a man who masterfully orchestrated both electrical circuits and the subtle nuances of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, specifically how much half-and-half must be added based on the amount of coffee in the cup. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 29th, 1936, he peacefully departed this world surrounded by family on January 31st, 2024. His legacy is a testament to devotion, precision, and the joys of Excel spreadsheets.

Dad is survived by Jackie, his beautiful wife and our perfect mom, his sons Mike and Mark, the ones trying to stop crying long enough to write this, and our wives, Trish and Laura, our rocks during this most difficult time.

Proud owner of his castle in Greendale since 1966, Dad's mastery of wiring, circuitry, and all things electrical engineering was unparalleled, making his house on Thorncrest Drive a strong contender for an Allen-Bradley company museum, creating a living legacy of his 38 years with the company.

Dad was quick to bring up the 66 years of marriage to his high school sweetheart. Together, they wrote a love story filled with fun, laughter, discussions about her preference for sunshine, contrasted by his ability to live completely unaffected underneath thick, heavy, dense clouds for 12 months out of the year, the compromise they came to of vacationing in Hawaii and California a few thousand times, and a mutual eye-rolling appreciation of their differences that withstood the test of time.

In addition to his engineering prowess, Dad served with distinction in the Wisconsin Air National Guard, achieving the rank of Airman First Class in the 128th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. His dedication to duty was emblematic of his unwavering commitment to both family and country. He would also comment about how he wished he had stayed in the Guard and done his 20 years, presumably to get the retirement cash to pay for his Dunkin’ Donuts coffee deliveries from Amazon.

His granddaughter Sofia was a constant source of joy, bringing warmth and smiles to his heart. To put it in electrical engineering terms, if love had a wattage, Sofia would undoubtedly be a high-voltage beacon of light in his life. Despite being separated by miles and life’s twists and turns, Dad had many fond memories of his oldest granddaughter Brittney as well.

In the tapestry of Dad's life, one thread stood out prominently—his friendship with Bob. Dad held Bob in the highest regard, not only for his remarkable woodworking talents but also for the camaraderie they shared during their monthly lunch outings. Dad would marvel at Bob's craftsmanship, turning ordinary wood into pieces of art. Their routine, alternating between restaurants closer to Dad one month and Bob's house the next, became a cherished tradition. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Bob for being a steadfast friend to Dad, for the shared laughter, and for the warmth that accompanied each lunchtime conversation. Your friendship added immeasurable richness to Dad's journey, and for that, we are truly grateful.

Speaking of wood, in his whimsical moments, Dad mused about wishing that human beings were simply made with blocks of wood. We’re not sure if Bob’s friendship influenced this, but Dad believed that a tube of wood glue should be all that was required to fix anything that went wrong with us. If only life came with an instruction manual, an Allen wrench, and some wood glue to fix what ails us, we’d all be much better off.

Known for his meticulous attention to detail, Dad always preferred a well-organized plan. As a matter of fact, he’s probably nervous right now that we’re going to talk too long and make us all late for lunch and the free Southern Comfort Old Fashioned Sweets that await us at Meyer’s on 76th Street. Yes, you heard me correctly. I said FREE Southern Comfort Old Fashioned Sweets, Dad’s favorite. Nothing would bring a smile to his face faster than knowing that we’re all raising a glass to his life. Actually, given how private of a person he was, he might ground us just based on the fact that you're all here right now, so we should probably wrap this up. He would also encourage us not to have too many Southern Comfort Old Fashioned Sweets because we still need to figure out a way to pay for all of this. I'm only half joking about that.

In a unique request, Dad often found comfort in silence. In honor of his memory, we kindly ask that you refrain from laughing at any of our jokes. Perhaps we should have led with that. Instead, let the soft crunching of Milano cookies and subtle sipping of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee be our symphony to honor him.

A man of simple pleasures, Dad found joy in ice cream, Polish sausage, obviously the Milano cookies -- either the dark chocolate or raspberry flavors -- and his cherished Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. By the way, if you’re reading this obituary, you should be very relaxed and casual. This is an informal celebration, just as he would want it. So please… feel free to get up right now, like literally right now, and grab some cookies and coffee in honor of Dad. Then come back and finish reading this.

In the spirit of full disclosure, we are guilty of fueling Dad’s gaming addiction, purchasing an Xbox console and the Halo video game for him years ago that he played constantly for quite some time, aptly earning him the nickname of "Master Chief,” an homage to the game's main character. We’re fairly certain that Mom will never forgive us for this critical error in gift-giving judgment.

Dad also single-handedly kept the GRIT TV channel in business with a constant stream of westerns on the tube. That is, of course, when the TV wasn't on “mute” due to his previously mentioned preference for silence. The juxtaposition of gunfights, while the TV was literally emitting no sound whatsoever, perfectly encapsulates the intricate layers of his personality. He would also say that the GRIT channel was Mom’s favorite, implying that SHE was the reason GRIT was always on. Really, Dad?

We can’t celebrate Dad’s life without extending our deepest gratitude to the caregivers who became an integral part of our family. This is going to be difficult to get through because of the emotional ties to all of you during an already emotionally charged chapter of his life.

Karen, whose compassionate conversations with Dad about Jesus brought moments of solace and reflection. He found comfort in their discussions, and Karen's presence added a spiritual warmth to his final months. Our prayer is that his faith in Christ, fueled by these conversations, gave him strength and comfort to help him get through this painful period with Mom.

Lonnette, whose energy and laughter are so infectious that we’d always want her around just to sit with Dad, regardless of what tasks there were to be done. It also didn't hurt that she got more work accomplished in seven minutes than any two of us could complete in seven hours.

Jackie, with her heart full of kindness, brought more than just delicious fruits and treats to the house; she delivered smiles, joy, and a sense of genuine care. Dad eagerly anticipated her visits, and the love she shared enriched our family in immeasurable ways. He commented that her professional appearance clearly meant that the Comfort Keepers agency sent the owner of the company to assist at the house, something that totally floored him.

Tammy, affectionately known as "eagle eyes," brought keen observations and attention to detail, enhancing the safety and comfort of our home in ways we might not have noticed. Her watchful care, coupled with her background in physical therapy, ensured that every corner of Dad’s castle was a haven of peace, except for the times we made marks on the walls as we navigated around corners and down the hall. Worrying about blemishes on the paint, something that drove us crazy over the years, is also one of many things we celebrate about him today.

Beyond the routine tasks of checking vitals and applying bandages, Nurse Kelly brought a vibrant, sharp personality and booming voice that infused every interaction with Dad. Her energy was contagious, bringing a sense of comfort, humor, and joy to each medical appointment. She loved how instead of calling her his nurse, he'd tell Mom, "Hey, our friend Kelly is here to visit us!" It was a testament to the genuine camaraderie they shared, and we are immensely grateful for Kelly's dedication, compassion, and warmth she brought into Dad's life.

And Rebecca, who lovingly declared Dad as her adopted Grandpa, brought a unique, precious, and sometimes fiery connection to Dad that transcends the boundaries of family. Rebecca has so much going on in her life but she never ceased to care for our dad as her own. We know how much Dad loved Rebecca because he seemed to argue the most with those he cherished.

These caregivers, in their selfless devotion, not only allowed Mom and Dad to stay in the comfort of their home as long as possible but created an environment filled with safety, compassion, and of course, endless cups of coffee and bowls of ice cream. They are forever a part of our family, and their blessings are woven into the fabric of our lives in ways that words cannot express.

As wonderful as all of that sounds, don’t think for a second that Dad was a huge fan of having so many people traipsing around his house, that is until they offered to bring him ice cream, coffee, or preferably both.

As we say our final goodbyes to Dad, we entrust him into the embrace of God's kingdom, where we pray he finds eternal peace, free from any discomfort. The ache of his absence will linger in our hearts every day, but we are grateful for the gift of his guidance and the love that bound our family together.

Dad, thank you for raising us, for the unwavering love you showed Mom, for blowing snow into piles so we could build forts, and for the enduring memories that will keep your spirit alive in our hearts. As we part ways for now, we hold onto the hope that one day, in God's time, we will be reunited. Until then, may you rest in eternal peace, Master Chief.