Stephen Geoffrey Vesper

Stephen Geoffrey Vesper, age 84, of Albuquerque, passed away at his residence on the evening of Monday, July 7, 2025. He was born on May 14, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York, the firstborn son of John Ernest Vesper and Ina Marie Vesper.

Stephen is survived by his loving wife, Maria; his brother, John, and sister-in-law, Gail; his children, Ina, Timothy, Emilia, and Amy; and his cherished grandchildren, Peyton, Troy, Leora, Paul, and Arlouine.

Stephen was raised in New York and New Jersey and graduated from Ramsey High School before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1959. He served honorably with the 1st Radio Relay Squadron at Giebelstadt Air Base in Germany. Following his military service, he continued working in communications across Alaska, Costa Rica, and Germany.

Stephen later earned a bachelor's degree in Agronomy from Texas Tech University and joined the Peace Corps, serving in Fiji. He went on to complete a master's degree in Plant and Soil Science, also at Texas Tech. His career in agriculture took him around the world, including extended work in Africa and Chile. It was in Chile that he met and married Maria, began his family, and eventually returned to the United States.

He spent the remainder of his professional life with the U.S. Department of Agriculture until his retirement.

Stephen was a world traveler who lived a meaningful life, driven by curiosity and compassion. His passion for agriculture and helping others guided him to serve communities around the globe. Thoughtful, intelligent, and reserved, Stephen was known for his remarkable memory and love of music. He especially enjoyed playing records from the early 1900s-ragtime, early jazz, big band, Latin Boleros, Marimba, and classical.

Stephen's family misses him dearly. He was a faithful husband, a wonderful father, a reliable brother, a loving grandfather, and a beautiful human being. Though the Lord took him sooner than we would have wished, we find comfort in knowing he is now in His presence.