Stephen Novak

1961 - 2025

Stephen (Steve) Michael Novak died peacefully in his sleep on March 26th, 2025 at his residence. The family is deeply saddened and shocked by his sudden death. He had just celebrated his 64th birthday 4 days earlier.

Steve survived and is missed by his wife Susan Marie (Susie) (née Bottorff) of almost 11 years; along with his son, Mackenzie (Mac) and partner, Clarissa Atkins, daughter, Kathleen Novak (Katie), and grandsons, Rhys and Hayes. His sister Linda Ratley, brother-in-law, Jeff Ratley, brother Greg and sister-in-law, K.C.. Both of his parents, Michael Novak and Elaine Novak preceded him in death.

He was born in Burbank, California but grew up in Camarillo, California. Where he attended St. Mary Magdalen Catholic School and served as an altar boy at the church. He graduated from Santa Clara High School in 1979. He then went on to Ventura Jr. College.

His early years were spent riding his bike through the neighborhood with a baseball glove on the handlebars, hoping to get in on a game of ball. Being outside with all the neighbor kids and staying out until the streetlights came on were some of his most talked about memories.

With the slight exception of going out to his Grandparents egg ranch in Lancaster, where he, his brother, sister and cousins would spend countless hours "hunting" out in the desert.

His love of baseball started early, playing little league, high school, college and special league. He continued in men's leagues until he started cancer treatment in 2013. He also enjoyed bowling and played in several leagues during his early teens, 20's and 30's.

He started a career in aerospace at 18, following his grandmother and father into Northrop, building aircraft for the military. It was a path that he stayed in his whole career. Leading him to move from California to Washington in the early 80's. Working at Heath-Techna, Boeing, Aim Aerospace and many other aerospace companies, sometimes contracting, at times permanent, specializing as a manufacturing engineering. He joined Blue Origin about 4 years ago, along side rocket scientists, working on engines. The plan was to stay until retirement(not too far away).

Although he was an avid hunter up until his early 50's, fishing was his great passion. He really enjoyed living in the Puget Sound and having his boat a 5-minute walk away. In the last few years, he added shore fishing in Hawaii and Mexico and was looking forward to more lake fishing at some of Washington's local lakes. He was hoping for the possibility of his grandsons joining him on fishing trips someday. At the time of his passing, the freezers held over 65lbs. of salmon, 12 lbs. of crabmeat, countless pounds of squid and miscellaneous other fish. He was a great catcher man!

There are no words that can express how grateful and blessed we are to our neighbors and friends who were there for us on the day of his passing. Also, a heartfelt thank you to the Des Moines Police Department, Firefighters for handling the situation so beautifully.

Steve was celebrated in a few small ceremonies, where his ashes were left in several of his favorite fishing spots.