Stephen W. ""Steve"" Banks

Stephen W. Banks, 79, of Lakewood, Colorado, beloved husband, father and grandfather died on Thursday, December 29, 2016, surrounded by family. He was born on August 11, 1937 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Steve's younger years were spent in Portland, Oregon, and he graduated from high school in Media, Pennsylvania. While in high school, he joined a Methodist youth group and remained a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. Steve's interest in all things mechanical and electrical began when his father took him to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago when he was about 10 or 11 years old. This led him to study engineering. He attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he earned degrees in business and electrical engineering. There he also met Donita, his wife of 57 years, in the University Choir. They married and later moved to Lakewood in 1960. Their children were born in the 1960s. Donita and Steve lived together in Westgate for 45 years. Steve worked for Mountain Bell/US West for 32 years in Denver as an engineer and network manager. He was instrumental in setting up telecommunications infrastructure in the Rocky Mountain region, including the installation of a repeater station on the top of Berthoud Pass. He was involved in the development of the 20-story former headquarters of Mountain Bell at 1005 17th Street in Denver. Steve's hobbies included collecting vintage cars, building radio-controlled airplanes, and operating amateur radio devices. He also loved the Rocky Mountains, singing in choral groups (including the Colorado Symphony Chorus), and dogs, especially Labrador retrievers. He is survived by Donita, three children, David (Jennifer), Gary (Calisa Tucker), and Julie (Scott) Stiegemeyer, and several grandchildren, Michael Banks, Johnathon Banks, Alexandra Banks, Amiana Banks, Sam Banks, Jacob Stiegemeyer, Riley Banks, Abigail O'Keefe, and Jack O'Keefe. Contributions may be made to St. Andrew UMC Music Ministry, 9203 S. University, Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80123 or the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202.