Steven Vancouver

Steven Matthew (Kukla) Vancouver, 69, died at his home in Port Orchard, Washington on April 15, 2008. He was born March 15, 1939 in Vancouver, Washington to Matt & Beatrice (Cavitt) Kukla. He graduated from Bremerton High School in 1957, Olympic College in 1959, and the University of Washington in 1961 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Steven retired in 1997 after 30 years as an Engineer at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Keyport Washington. After retirement, he drove a big rig truck for U.S. Express and KLLM. In the 1970's, he worked in a mining operation as an explosives expert in the wilds of Alaska for 4 months. He also served as a Lieutenant JG in the U.S. Navy for 2 1/2 years as EOD Officer & Scuba Diving Officer, extending his term to serve in Vietnam. Steven was a pilot and flew his Cessna 150 to Key West, FL from Bremerton. He was an expert scuba diver, catching the world record Octopus in 1961 while diving near the Hood Canal Bridge. He enjoyed sailing and sailed to Hawaii and back. He was a devoted father and loved our nation. He was a devout Christian and a member of Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Gig Harbor. Surviving are his sons Matthew & Milan Vancouver. Visitation from 4-5:00pm on Saturday, April 19th at Rill's Life Tribute Center in Port Orchard, followed by a reception and Gathering of Family & Friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Help Hospitalized Veterans, 36585 Penfield Lane, Winchester CA 92596 or www.hhv.org