Stephen Rokicki

Major Stephen Rokicki, U.S. Air Force, Retired, died on December 9, 2025, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. He was 85.

Stephen was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the son of Stephen Rokicki, Sr., and Mary Rokicki.

Stephen had two distinguished careers: first as an Air Force officer; and later as a civilian advisor to the Air Force. He was loyal to the Air Force throughout his life and loved flying and all aspects of flight.

Stephen began his Air Force career as a Lieutenant after graduating from high school. He went on to serve as a Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) with the Strategic Air Command (SAC). He later served as an Air Force intelligence officer at the Pentagon and with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. During the Vietnam War, he was an intelligence officer based in Saigon.

After retiring from the Air Force, Stephen earned a Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. Next, he completed a postdoctoral assignment in San Antonio, Texas. Subsequently, Stephen and his family moved to Corrales, New Mexico, where he drew on his scientific training to advise the Air Force on everything from aircraft safety to aviation human factors/ergonomics and aviation psychology/physiology at Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

After ending his federal government career, Stephen served a two-year assignment as an advisor to the Royal Norwegian Air Force in Oslo, Norway.

Stephen also greatly enjoyed teaching, and for many years before and after retiring, he was an extremely popular faculty member with the world-renowned Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he taught courses on a wide range of aeronautical subjects.

Stephen was deeply devoted to his family and was very proud of his four children and four grandchildren, often praising their achievements and talents. Predictably, he was also a dedicated "Uncle Steve" to his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

During his later years, Stephen lived in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, where he flew his small "Ercoupe" plane whenever possible. He was also a crew member of a hot air balloon during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta and a crew member at the annual Oshkosh Air Show, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Additionally, he belonged to the EAA Warbirds, a division of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) dedicated to the preservation and safe operation of historic ex-military aircraft. He relished getting together with his "flying buddies."

Stephen was predeceased by his former wife and by one of his two sisters.

He is survived by two sons; two daughters; two grandsons; two granddaughters; a sister; two sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; a daughter-in-law; numerous nieces and nephews; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and a dear friend and neighbor.

Stephen's family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the countless individuals and organizations who provided loving care and support during Stephen's last years: the New Mexico Veterans Administration (VA); the Northwest Metro VA Clinic in Rio Rancho; the Albuquerque VA Hospital; the staff of U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury; the University of New Mexico Sandoval County Hospital; Angels Above Home Care LLC; By Your Side Home Care; Sandoval County Senior Services; Roadrunner Healthcare Hospice; Beehive Homes of Rio Rancho; and Gabaldon Mortuary.

A burial with full military honors will be held in Stephen's honor in 2026.