Stephen Burton Sloane

Steve Sloane passed away on February 14, 2026, in Lomita, CA, after a brief illness. He was 90 years old and lived a rich, full life.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of George and Dorothy Sloane. He loved spending his summers where he grew up in Far Rockaway, selling hot dogs on Beach 116th Street, playing football for Far Rockaway High School, and running around the Lower East Side with his brothers Carl and Richard while helping out at their father's notions shop on Orchard Street.

With a lifelong dream of being a pilot, he reported to the U.S. Naval Academy in 1953, where he received a BS in Engineering. He was thrilled to be at Annapolis, and his classmates appreciated both his sense of humor and his vigor for his studies. Upon graduation with the Class of 1957, he was commissioned as a Navy ensign and married his high school sweetheart, Joan Robbins (later divorced).

Over his 26-year career as a Navy officer, he served in a number of squadrons, including being stationed in the Philippines and flying missions during the Vietnam War. He also sailed and flew on an aircraft carrier, served as Commanding Officer of a naval flight training organization in Puerto Rico, and taught at the Naval War College in Newport, RI.

Steve's quest for knowledge and education earned him a Master's in Public Administration from Harvard and a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, where he capped off his naval career as the Commanding Officer of the ROTC unit.

In 1977, Steve married his beloved wife, Kit. Steve and Kit had a wonderful and loving 48 years together until her passing late last year.

Upon his retirement from military service, Steve began a second career as a college professor at St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA, where he taught political science and liberal arts and was awarded Professor of the Year in 2011. He was a beloved professor and colleague who loved using movies and theater as teaching tools and published several books about the meaning of life and love. Steve was devoted to his students and colleagues and stayed in touch with many whom he mentored.

Steve was a devoted and loving father and stepfather, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved animals and rescued many dogs and cats throughout his life. He also loved horses from an early age, when he was introduced to riding at summer camp as a young teen. Steve and his wife Kit, a mystery novelist, started a foundation that helped people with disabilities gain skills and self-confidence by learning to ride. Steve and Kit were avid sports fans and spent many joyful hours cheering on their beloved Los Angeles Dodgers.

More than anything, Steve loved to tell stories about the old days, his adventures as a Navy pilot, traveling around the world, mentoring students at St. Mary's, and the many rich characters he encountered throughout his life. Anyone who met him knew that he was a special and rare person.

Predeceased by his parents; his wife, Kit; his brother Carl; and his daughter-in-law Julie; Steve is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Richard and Margie; his children and stepchildren David, Craig and his husband Bill, Annie, Jonathan and his wife Julissa; his grandchildren Krystina, Hillary, Nicholas, and Kristel; and great-granddaughters Mayli and Kalia.

Steve will be dearly missed by all those whose lives he impacted, as well as by his friends and family.

A memorial service will be planned by the family later in the year. Donations in his honor may be made to the ASPCA (www.aspca.org) or the Balam Foundation (www.balamfoundation.org).