Ralph Roy “Steve” Stevens, known to many as Rowdy, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2025, at 8:08 a.m. in the Pocatello, Idaho, home he shared with his daughter and son-in-law. He was surrounded by his family as he took his final breaths. Rowdy was born on April 14, 1940, in the Taylorville and Stonington area of Illinois to Velma Clara (Donaldson) Stephens and Oliver Floyd Stephens.

Although his given name was Ralph, he often joked that he refused to answer to it because he believed he had been named after the neighbor’s dog. To his friends and family, he was always Rowdy or Steve, a name that fit his humor, energy, and playful spirit.

Rowdy grew up on the family farm, where he helped care for animals and developed a lifelong love for land, machinery, and especially mowing. His childhood was full of memorable companions. He had a pet raccoon named Coonie, a crow named Blackie, and a German Shepherd and wolf mix named Chinook. He had an easy sense of humor, a mischievous streak, and a natural talent for storytelling. “I like to laugh. Laughing is good,” he often said, and he lived by it.

Rowdy lived with an adventurous spirit that carried through every decade of his life. He raced and rode motorcycles, explored mountains and back roads, and loved hiking, boating, and being surrounded by the great outdoors. His time on the John Muir Trail was especially meaningful to him, offering the peace, challenge, and beauty that matched his deep love for nature.

In 1960, Rowdy proudly joined the United States Army and served for three years as a Paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division. During his service in Germany, he traveled extensively throughout Europe. One of the experiences he recounted most often was serving as an escort and guide for a defected Russian officer. His time in the military remained one of the proudest chapters of his life.

After returning to the States, Rowdy used his military education benefits to pursue small commercial pilot training in California. Flying quickly became one of his greatest joys. He earned his commercial license and, for a season of his life, worked as both a machinist and a pilot, collecting many funny and sometimes harrowing stories from the air.

Alongside flying, Rowdy focused his education on mechanical engineering and spent more than three decades as a machinist. In 1993, he took his son-in-law, William “Billy” Schirmer, under his wing as an apprentice. What began as mentorship became one of the closest bonds of his life. During his final year, Billy devoted himself to Rowdy’s every need. In his final days, Rowdy said, “I love Billy more than anyone in the world, except maybe my ex-wife.” Everyone laughed and asked, “Which one?”

Rowdy spent much of his life in California before moving to Indiana in 1992. After retiring from machining, he became an over-the-road truck driver before eventually settling in Chino Valley, Arizona. There, he managed a beautiful 16-acre property with his German Shepherd Hank. Neighbors often remarked that his land looked like a golf course. Rowdy took great pride in caring for the property and frequently said, “No tumbleweeds here!”

In 2022, he moved to Holly Springs, Mississippi, to spend time with his daughters Stephanie and Susan. In October 2023, he moved to Pocatello, Idaho, with his dog Snickers to live with Juliana and William. His great-grandchildren became the joy of his final years. His great-granddaughter, Kelly, born on Christmas Eve 2024, was a bright light to him. There are few photos, from his last months, where she is not in his arms.

Rowdy is preceded in death by his parents, Velma and Oliver Stephens, and his brothers, Melvin and Robert “Bob” Stephens.

He is survived by his brother, Edward “Mike” Stevens; and his children, Stephanie Scimo, Susan and Neal Cox, Melissa and Dan Taylor, Juliana and William Schirmer; his grandchildren also survive him, Stacia Reeser, Whittney Reeser Harris, Lexie Reeser Gregory, Lierin Schirmer, Kaylin and Chris Young, Jordan Schirmer, Logan Dickey, Mason Dickey; Six great-grandchildren survive him, Sawyer, Austin, Cordelia, Orion, William, and Kelly.

Rowdy’s favorite sayings will remain part of the family’s memories forever:

“I like to laugh. Laughing is good.”

“You funny.”

“Lord willing and the creeks don’t rise.”

And of course, his lifelong joke about “being ugly,” which always brought a smile.

Above all, Rowdy will be remembered for his humor, stories, love of the outdoors, and care for his family. He lived a life filled with hard work, loyalty, and joy, and he leaves behind a legacy of love.

For those who knew and loved him, we invite you to raise a toast of “two fingers” of Southern Comfort, his whiskey of choice.

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