Steven Michael Partch

It's with profound sadness that my little brother Steven Michael slipped silently away to join our parents and little brother Mike. I can't begin to tell you how much, I and we, loved him and as well how proud we are/were of him. He was born on August 3rd, 1952 in Colfax, WA. The third son of Ambrose and Jenny Partch along with older brothers Skip (Dave) and Greg and little brother Mike who passed in 2021. Our father was a decorated war veteran of WW2 serving in the US Navy for 31 years and a survivor of the sinking of the USS Peary in Darwin, Australia in 1942. Steve followed in his footsteps enlisting in the Navy Submarine Service in 1980 and retiring 22 years later at a rank of Chief and a rating of Chief torpedo man.
Just like his dad except he chose to retire rather than accept a commission as an officer. He wanted to always be with his "sailors" and be part of them. He was first and always a Chief of his men. The one who got things done. The one his men looked up to and trusted. He met his wife Margaret, sister of a shipmate, in Hawaii and they were married in 1982. After retiring from the Navy they moved to her family's farm/ranch in Atascosa, Texas south of San Antonio where they raised cattle. They were together there for 42 years and raised two strong healthy boys, Patrick (m. Ally) and Paul (m. Ginger) and their three delightful granddaughters, Arabella, Gwendolyn and Persephone.
He loved his animals and the wide-open spaces. Having been a submariner for most of his adult working life he often commented about how he never wanted to be enclosed in anything again in his life.or death. "Cremate me and spread my ashes on the grounds I love. Never put me in a container and in the ground". Thus his final wish. His ashes will be spread upon their land in Texas and amongst the rolling wheat fields of the Palouse. A stone will be placed in his memory in The Garfield Cemetery in the shadows of nearby Steptoe Butte. Condolences may be sent to his wife at Margaret at purvispatchfarms@gmail.com and / or gregpartchsr@gmail.com. As his passing sinks in Margaret shared " I keep expecting him in any time. He's just outside tending to the animals....and just hasn't come in yet ". There's always one more little thing to do. He loved working. It's the Partch ethic our dad instilled in us. It's who we are. Sons of Ambrose and Jerry Partch
Most sincerely,
Greg Partch Sr.
If you wish to make a memorial in his name please send it to:
Merry Glen Family Home
2917 N. Cincinnati St
Spokane, WA. 99207
Steve would sincerely appreciate your thoughtfulness for those who cared for his little brother Mike for over 50 years.