Steven Vehling Preston

Preston, Steven Vehling age 65, of Naples, Florida passed away peacefully at home on September 30, 2022, leaving his wife, Salma Nadar Preston; two daughters, Megan (Robert) Bryant and Erin (Marc) Carestia; stepdaughter, Lila Nabizad; five grandchildren, Leo, Elise, Emily, Ian and Wesley; and two sisters, Christine Burge and Michelle Preston.

Steve was born on August 2, 1957, in Indianapolis, Indiana to his predeceased parents Robert Preston and Armilda Williams. He grew up with his two sisters and his much-loved black Labrador, Caesar.

Steve graduated from Warren Central High School in 1975. In 1976, he attended Purdue University for one year before taking a break to embark on the journey of a lifetime. In 1977, he sailed across the Atlantic Ocean aboard a one-hundred-year-old historic tall ship, to the United Kingdom, Europe, Martinique, South America, and Galapagos Islands. Later in his life Steve described this year long adventure as being one of his most memorable and enjoyable experiences of his life.

Following his sailing adventure, he married his first wife in 1981 and graduated from IUPUI in 1982 with his bachelor's degree in Geology. Later in 1982, he moved to Houston, Texas and worked with the United States Geological Survey as a hydrogeologist where he specialized in hazardous waste and water resources. It was during this time that Steve had his two daughters. He and his family lived briefly in Northboro, Massachusetts and later moved to Naples, Florida in 1991 where he began working for Collier County Government. He served as the Quality Assurance Officer for the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of contaminated cleanup sites. In 2006, he attained his Professional Geology licensure.

On August 6, 2016, he married his second wife, Salma and embraced his stepdaughter, Lila. Steve was a devoted husband and an adoring stepfather. In 2022, Steve retired from his 30-year career with Collier County Government as the Senior Project Manager of Pollution Control and Prevention.

For nearly 25 years, he was a member of the Moorings Presbyterian Church and had a strong faith in God throughout his life. He believed that life was a gift and a blessing to always be grateful for.

Steve was humble and lived a simple life. He enjoyed home projects; reading books; watching football; gardening; listening to talk radio; drinking coffee; spending time with his loved ones; being outdoors, especially on a cool, breezy day; and most of all, caring for those he loved. He had a kind heart and a wonderful sense of humor. He will be truly missed by all of those who knew him and will always be remembered by his wife and daughters as a Hero and the Rock of the family.

A private ceremony will be held at Mandarin cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida.