Stephen Balint

Stephen was born at home on December 26, 1931 near Palmer, Washington to Stephen A. Balint and Mary G. Balint (Petchnick).  Johnny, as he was called in his childhood, was raised on the farm and attended school in nearby Enumclaw.  He graduated from Enumclaw High School on June 6, 1949.  After high school, while working in a shake mill, a close friend, Walt Henry, was recruited to play football at Central Washington College of Education.  As the coach was leaving the mill, he turned to Steve and said, “You can come play for me too.”  That changed Steve’s direction in life.  He played one year of football in college.

During this time, he enlisted in the US Navy Reserve to pursue his interest in aviation.  Later, he joined US Air Force ROTC.  He graduated from Central Washington College of Education on June 9, 1954 with a B.A. in Education.  In January 1955, Steve was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the US Air Force and began pilot training, which included multi-engine training in the TB-25 Mitchell Bomber.  Transition training to the B-29 and finally KC-97 Stratofreighter followed.  He was then assigned as a co-pilot to the 90th Air Refueling Squadron stationed at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas.  While stationed in Topeka, he met the love of his life, Lois Jean Parker, an elementary school teacher.  They were married on November 23, 1957.  Son Gregory George was born in April 1959, and daughter Janna Christine followed just over a year later.  Steve was then sent to meteorology training at Texas A&M, realizing another lifelong interest.  Son Bradley John joined the family in December 1961.  The newly minted meteorologist was assigned to Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, WA.  Steve very much enjoyed the assignment in his native Washington.  His next assignment was two years with the Fleet Weather Center on Guam, Marianas Islands.  The family was able to accompany him, and lived on top of a ridge with a Pacific Ocean view.  Son Stanley Eugene joined the family in August 1965.  The next assignment was a short one to Hamilton Air Force Base north of the Golden Gate Bridge and then to Civil Air Patrol Headquarters, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama.

Steve left active duty on June 30, 1968 and was promoted to Major in the Air Force Reserve.  He accepted a job as a civilian meteorologist at Minot Air Force Base located north of Minot, North Dakota.  There, daughter Kaye Diane joined the family in June 1969, and then daughter Patricia Mary was the last child to join the family on Christmas Eve 1970.  In 1974, Steve transferred to the National Weather Service office in Bismarck, North Dakota.  The following year, he transferred to the Denver, Colorado office and worked there until he retired in 1989.  He continued his service in the Air Force Reserve as Liaison Officer for the US Air Force Academy, visiting high schools, promoting the institution, and assisting prospective cadets through the appointment process.  He retired from the Air Force Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel in July 1982.  After retirement from the National Weather Service in 1989, Steve received an unsolicited offer to work as a meteorologist at the Rocky Flats Environment Technology Site, which he accepted.  He finally retired for good in 1995, which coincided with his youngest daughter’s graduation from Colorado State University.  He enjoyed a long retirement in the Heritage at Eagle Bend community in Aurora, CO.   Steve and Jean embarked on several cruises and traveled to Italy, the Greek Islands, the Holy land, Alaska, and the Panama Canal.  He also cherished spending time with his 14 grandchildren and as many great grandchildren as he could.  He was able to personally meet ten of his twelve great grandchildren.

Stephen passed away peacefully in his home on November 15, 2021 attended by family members after a long illness.  He was just 41 days shy of his 90th birthday.  He is survived by his wife of 63 years (nearly 64), Lois Jean (Parker) Balint, son Greg Balint, daughter Janna Hough (Carl), son Brad Balint (Jacki), son Stan Balint (Joanne), daughter Kaye Lundin (Todd), daughter Tricia Lovejoy (David), 14 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and brother Mathew (Gene) Balint.

Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies, 1325 S. Colorado Blvd, Suite 204B, Denver CO 80222 or Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church, 18000 E. Arapahoe Road, Foxfield, CO 80016.

Stephen's Funeral Mass will be livestreamed. Please use the following link to join us: https://www.ourladyofloreto.org/upcoming-funerals