Stephen A. Applin, 64, passed away on August 12, 2011 from a heart attack.
Steve was born on November 26, 1946 in Caspian, Michigan to Anne and Arthur Applin. He spent his childhood in Michigan, until his family moved to Helena in 1956.
Steve attended Helena High School and then graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from Montana State University in 1968. After several years in ROTC, he went on to serve his country as a captain in the U.S. Army, during the Viet Nam war.
After his tour of duty, he worked in various states in the northwest as an electrical engineer. He finally returned to his beloved Montana and spent years fishing, hunting and rafting with his dad.
He was an avid and talented gardener, whose green thumb could produce berries, watermelon and cantaloupe, even in our short growing season, and he kept family, caregivers and neighbors generously supplied.
A bachelor for his entire life, he put the needs of his family foremost and spent his later years caring for his sister and his elderly parents and he was generous in his giving to them in every way.
Steve was preceded in death by his sister, Debbie Applin. He is survived by his parents; his sister, Cheryl Hanson (Kirk); brothers, Jeff Applin (Elaine) and Kirk Applin; and by four nieces and nephews, Kirsten and Kevin Hanson and Christy and Eric Applin.
A private family burial will take place at Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery at Fort Harrison.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Steve’s name are suggested to the American Heart Association, http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, http://www.nationalmssociety.org/donate/index.aspx, or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, http://www.cff.org/GetInvolved/ManyWaysToGive/MakeADonation/. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.
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Ellie (Mayala) Osborne says
Kirk, Art and Anne: Sorry to hear about Stephen! My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.
Larry Marks says
I served under Steve in Germany at the 16th Signal Battalion. I was Company A, Company Clerk. Although Steve was a lieutenant at the time and I was a mere Specialist E-5 we immediately became friends. He was very supportive of all we both tried to do for the guys in the Company. His laid back manner earned him the respect and admiration of a tough, alcoholic bunch of guys. Steve and I could make each other laugh. He had a very dry sense of humor.
We saw each in Vietnam. He had become a Captain but didn’t let it get to his head. After the war we kept in touch by letter for a few years but lost track as we both moved around a lot. I am at a loss to know that he has died and so recently. God bless his soul. Steve was one great guy!
Paul and Becky Donaldson says
Cheryl and Kirk, Sending you our condolences for the loss of Cheryl’s brother. Holding you close in our hearts and prayers. Paul and Becky
penny keliin darlin g says
Steve was a classmate of mine at Caspian elementary school. For some reason his name stayed with me all these years. Don’t remember anything specific about him–except I thought he was great. Wish I had looked him up a lot sooner. He sounds like he grew up to be a very special person!