Stephen T. Gaw

Stephen T. Gaw, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away
peacefully on September 13, 2024, at his home in McLean, Virginia, following a long
battle with Alzheimer's. He was 89 years old.
Born in Dover, Delaware, on July 31, 1935, to Robert and Francis Gaw, Steve's family
soon moved back to their hometown of Phoenix, New York, a suburb of Syracuse.
There, he attended Manlius Pebble Hill School before continuing his studies at Norwich
University in Northfield, Vermont. His thirst for knowledge led him to earn two master's
degrees: one from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and another
from the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida.
Steve served his country for twenty years as a dedicated officer in the U.S. Army. His
distinguished career included a tour in Vietnam, command at the U.S. base in South
Korea, and many other leadership roles. His service was recognized with numerous
accolades, including the prestigious Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. Following his
military service, he transitioned to the private sector, where he held several leadership
positions before retiring from Northrop Grumman.
It was during his time in the military that Steve met the love of his life, Joan, a beautiful
Dutch woman who captured his heart. They were married on April 22, 1960, and
together they built a life filled with love and joy, raising two daughters, Monique and
Nicole. Their marriage spanned 54 years until Joan's passing in June 2014. Steve's
devotion to his family was unwavering, and he took immense pride in his children and
grandchildren. He was a kind, compassionate man, a great friend, a good listener, and
a trusted advisor. His sense of humor was infectious, and his gregarious nature drew
people to him. Steve touched many lives with his quiet generosity, often helping others
without ever seeking recognition. It was through these people that we learned of his
acts of kindness.
In 2007, Steve was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, which led him to retire. Despite the
difficult diagnosis, he faced this challenge with the same dignity and grace that defined
his life. Steve became part of the Georgetown University Memory Program, participating
in three clinical trials over nearly 16 years. His contribution to science and research in
the fight against Alzheimer's was invaluable, helping to pave the way for advancements
in treating this disease. Steve's family and his care team-affectionately known as
"Team Steve" or "The G Team"-along with the team at Georgetown, were instrumental
in supporting him through his battle.
Steve, Dad, Opa-you are deeply loved and admired. We will miss you tremendously,
but your presence will live on in our hearts forever.
Steve was predeceased by his wife, Joan, and is survived by his daughters, Monique
Gaw and M. Nicole Sullivan, and his grandchildren, Raegan and Casey Sullivan. He is
also survived by his sister, Louise Hanson Leader.
A graveside service at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a later date. In lieu of
flowers, please consider making a donation to the Georgetown University Memory
Disorders Program. Donations can be made directly on their
website https://memory.georgetown.edu https://memory.georgetown.edu/# and emailed to the program director, Carolyn
Ward, at cw2@georgetown.