Stephen F. Donovan

Steve was born, raised, and educated initially in Chicago, as evidenced by his graduation from Robert Lindblom High School on 27 June 1958. The Midwest always seemed to be a touch point in his life, returning many times from both coasts during his military, civil service, private industry, or retirement days. While raising his family, the love of his life, Steve always excelled in his full-time work endeavors, many times in concert with additional part-time jobs to ensure their financial needs were met. He simultaneously pursued his own academic advancement, culminating in n Associates degree from Orange Coast College and a Bachelor of General Studies from Indiana University. Following retirement Steve gained licensure in realty, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, enjoyed membership in Kiwanis, and lived and volunteered in Hope Meadows, Rantoul, IL. He volunteered as a prayer warrior for his local parish in Indianapolis and on the welcome team at Vineyard Church in Urbana, IL. He enlisted as a private E-1 in the United States Army at Chicago, Illinois, on 30 January 1962 and resigned his commission as a First Lieutenant on 18 December 1969. He attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and served in major cities such as Chicago, New York City, Washington, D.C. as well as Monterey, California. Early assignments were in administrative positions, then in computer science and information technology, and instructing in these fields. Still not finished serving the soldier, following his military resignation he continued serving in these fields in civil service leadership positions. Even more significant, perhaps, is the influence he had on people – •Some of his sons and daughters entered the service, two of them careerists, and even some of his grandchildren have expressed interest •Many of his friends and colleagues share memories of him even now of the impact he had on them and their life choices •Soldiers opting to reenlist, to pursue warrant officership, to relocate to specific geographies to better serve this country •Retirees requesting his advice when formulating plans for post-military careers, business colleagues indicating he was not just a leader but a personal friend •Lifelong friends expressing their admiration even now of his ability to integrate all life experiences into a cohesive meaningful unit and to model and teach that capability. Steve truly has met the standard – •he has done more by nine o’clock in the morning than most people do all day •he has been all that he can be •he is … Once a soldier, always a soldier.