Stephen Neff

Stephen G. Neff Anchorage resident Stephen G. Neff, 67, passed away on October 18, 2013 at home with his wife Jennifer and friend Bon, after a courageous battle with cancer. A celebration of Life will be held at the Bayshore Clubhouse, 3131 Amber Bay Loop, Anchorage, Alaska on November 1, 2013 as well as in Lacey, Washington on November 10, 2013. In accordance with his wishes, Steve's ashes will be scattered in Hawaii. Stephen was born on May 30, 1946 in Spokane, Washington to John and Betty Neff. Steven worked hard towards his goals and received a Bachelor's Degree from Western Washington University, a Master's Degree from City University and a Graduate Certificate in Managerial and Organizational Leadership from City University. Steve met Jennifer Hinrichs at City University while they were both in the Master's Program. In 1996 they wed. The couple went on an Alaskan cruise for their honeymoon; falling love with the state, the two knew they wanted to live there. While living in Washington, Steve worked as an Inspector in the Fire Marshall Office from 1996 to 2006; he also was a faculty member of Bellevue Community College Fire Science Program from 1995 to 2005. Steve spent twenty years serving the Lacey Fire Department; he was the Assistant Fire Chief from 1991 to 1993. In 2006, Steve and Jenny made the move from Washington to Anchorage, Alaska. Stephen worked for the State of Alaska as an Investigator for the Fraud Control Unit. Beginning with them in 2006, Steve retired from the State on August 30, 2013. Among his many commendations and awards for service was a commendation for service from King County Washington Fire Investigation Unit and he co-authored the text book "The Basic Introduction to the Uniform Fire Code" on behalf of the Community College Consortium. Steve loved to travel, golf and work in photography. He enjoyed cruise vacations with his wife. They had so many memorable trips together; in 2006 they took another cruise to Alaska and renewed their wedding vows and in 2012 they took a cruise through the Panama Canal. Steve was a larger than life guy who embraced life and lived every moment to the fullest. He was a devoted husband to Jenny and they enjoyed seventeen wonderful years of marriage. He was raised with two brothers and one sister and after their parents died, he considered himself the head of the family and enjoyed taking care of everyone. Later as an adult he found his birth mother and two sisters and a brother. He loved them all very much. The family stated that "Steve was a dedicated educator in the field of Fire Service. He was a brave firefighter and leader who enjoyed the camaraderie of the fire station and of all those who worked beside him in service to the communities of Thurston, Pierce and King Counties in Washington State. We bid Steve a fond 'Aloha' knowing that he is at Peace. We will always love and remember him." Steve is survived by his wife, Jenny of Anchorage; brothers Scott Neff of Twin Falls, Idaho and Nick Hagstrom of Grays Harbor, Washington; sisters Shannon Town of Cashmere, Washington, Marie Zabel of Cosmopolis, Washington and Carol Krahenbuhl or Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; sister-in-law, Joan Neff of Olympia, Washington; many nieces and nephews; and a large extended family in Washington and Idaho. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, John and Betty Neff; brother, John Neff; and uncle, Ellis Wooton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Providence Hospice; 4001 Dale Street, Suite 101 Anchorage, AK 99508. www.AlaskaCremation.com.