Stephen Craig Wecker

Words that describe Stephen Wecker’s life:
Generous. Tireless. Giving. Honest.
Full, accomplished, memorable
Determined, Selfless, Honorable, Stoic

Favorite stories from Stephen Wecker’s life:
To many to list but we look forward to hearing them at his celebration of life.

Significant accomplishments of Stephen Wecker:
He loved his family and those around him. He made sure that you always knew that family came first.

Director of San Juan County Health Department by the age of 35
Created his own business for septic system designing
Known throughout the state as the “go-to” person for septic system designing due to his broad knowledge base, determination, and dedication
Was a respected member of the following boards: Public Health, Registered Sanitarian, Certified Septic Designers, Pierce County Board of Health

He once told me his children and family were among his greatest accomplishments

Fondest Memories:
When he stepped on my baby turtle with his new hunting boots after the doorbell rang.
He later felt remorse and helped me bury him. A bit later in the day, all bets were off and he teased me and made me play cow (forced my head into the lawn and made me eat grass).

Going to him for advice or a problem and him always being there to work through it and develop a solution.

Occupation:
Soils Engineer Extraordinaire. He loved a good challenge at work.

Septic System Designer


Employer:
Self-reliant. He was honest and never misled a client. If something wouldn’t work or wasn’t worth the investment, he would tell you and not try to extract an extra buck.

Onsite Consulting Services


Retirement:
He never really stopped going, giving his expertise, or helping others with problems. He loved an engineering challenge!

I was sure he would never retire, that he would happily continue working until the very end, and for the most part that is exactly what he did. Even when his body failed him, his determination and sheen intelligence allowed him to continue to work on jobs that other able-bodied individuals gave up on.

Ultimately he found a business associate that he trusted to sell his business to, and this allowed him to train this person in his way of handling work and carry on in his footsteps.

Words that describe Stephen’s mission in life:
He would lend a hand to anyone at any time. He was always there for others. He gave free advice freely. He was sneaky though, fond of not cashing a check or somehow making sure that he paid for a meal or favor.

To push forward, be the best person he could be in all aspects.

To make the best of any situation and arise from it stronger and having learned something new.

Business Associates:
Although he worked alone on his business for many years, he did partner with Brent Fox for the final years of his life. He was also known at almost every local health jurisdiction throughout the state, the State Department of Health, and many other agencies with which he interacted. It is easy to say that upon working with Stephen, you would not soon forget him.

He had countless contacts who would come over to look for advice and just keep him up to date on his former occupation. We would hold these get togethers every few months even near the end of his life and the attendance grew with head get together. So many people wanted to be a part of these get together and as word spread even more people showed up to have a chance to discuss with colleagues and Stephen the challenges they were facing in their field and ask his expert opinion.

Favorite family activities or special family functions:
Stephen loved little kids. His home was always open for family and he encouraged family time. He also loved to go visit other family members especially when they “needed a hand” with some project. He was the guy that would show up, chainsaw in hand, after a storm to help with cleanup.

He was a very physical person who took frequent walks with his dog. He loved his family and extended family. Stephen never failed to volunteer his house to host family get-togethers, including the yearly summer “Kraut and Trout,” a family barbeques with sometimes 40 attendees.

For as long as I can remember Sundays were an important day. In the beginning we would visit family in Bellevue. When his parents move to this side of the water we would then visit them on Sundays until they passed. This tradition was carried on as I (Brandon) would visit him every Sunday even after I moved out and we would visit his parents or other family. My sister also adopted this tradition once he could not leave the house and she would come up to visit him at home.

Personal Activities:
He loved tools and projects. Especially fancy tools. No project was too big or involved. He could fix ANYTHING. He loved to share his tools and talents. When he was no longer able to get out, he immersed himself in researching solutions to problems.


Hobbies:
His piano. He loved to play. He bought the nicest piano because he appreciated the work and talent that went into making it.

Stephen was an accomplished pianist who enjoyed playing many types of music; new age, classical, rag time, and jaz. He also enjoyed woodworking and mechanics. He was the go-to person when something broke on your vehicle or on a child’s favorite toy (he happily took over this role after his own father passed away).

He enjoyed beer brewing and had worked on many different styles and variations over the years to perfect blends. At one point, when I was a child, he had labels made on his beer with a schnauzer on them and had them titled as “black dog beer” (I think)


Stephen’s favorite experiences:
He loved how his children turned out. He loved to spend time with his grandsons. Didn’t matter what they were doing, he just loved being with all of them.

He always made time for family and would ensure he spent as much time as possible with family members, even if it was just browsing Costco.

Stephen’s favorite places to spend time:
He loved to be at the lake with his family. He loved the lake and all the memories it would create in the children in his life. He loved those memories as a kid and wanted to make sure that others could enjoy them.

He enjoyed quiet places and would often car-camp at the beach with his dog. He would take trips to the mountains in Port Angeles and travel back along the Pacific Coast to enjoy the beauty and quiet of the Pacific Northwest.


Stephen’s favorite book, poem, or scripture:
Stephen loved history books. I remember him sharing about Lewis and Clarks Journals at great length. He loved those old stories

He enjoyed books on the civil and world wars.


Stephen’s favorite song or music:
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly. I remember him learning all the chords to this as a kid and him tirelessly practicing them to the horror of my parents.

He loved piano music of ALL sorts. He had a diverse love and respect for just about any piano composition.

At Christmas time his favorite was barking dog jingle bells and he ensured every year we played the Doctor Demento Christmas CD while opening presents.

Stephen’s favorite flower or tree:
I think he really loved his Asian Pear Tree. He would look out his window and zealously guard it from intruding deer. I believe this is the real reason for the “Deer Hunter” escapade with his son.

He liked usefullness and functionality. He kept a small grove of fruit trees and fruit-bearing bushes on his property as well of a Hops plant for beer brewing


Stephen’s favorite color:
Red. Toyota red to be exact. Red Tundra and Red 4-Runner. Only reason he didn’t get a red Prius is they didn’t have one in stock and it wasn’t the correct Toyota red....


Pets:
His dogs---all were Giant Schnauzers. He loved going on walks in the woods with them.



Other Thoughts:
He could be rough on you as a brother but a minute later give you the shirt off his back. He would share freely the greatest gift any of us have......time

Stephen is survived by Brandon Wecker and Kirsten Wecker.

Please join family and friends at a Celebration of his life on January 19th, 2019 at the 7 Seas Tap Room in Gig Harbor, from 3:00pm to 8:00pm. You are welcome to come and stay as long as you like. Beer will be provided by 7 Seas and food by Spiros. We look forward to seeing everyone and are excited to hear your favorite stories from Stephen's life.