Stephen B. "Steve" Chiperno

Stephen B. Chiperno, affectionately known as "Steve" by his family and friends, passed away on May 20, 2025, in Temple, Texas, at the age of 80 alongside his family.

Steve dedicated over three decades of his life to the Alaska Rail Road, starting his employment on April 27, 1981. Steve was finally accepted as "permanent" employee status on Oct. 12, 1988. Through the years his titles changed many times, ranging from maintenance worker, to a carpenter, to a boiler plant operator, to a boiler equipment mechanic to a mechanic leader and finally to a facilities maintenance mechanic. Steve worked many years doing whatever his bosses said needed to be done.

Steve officially retired without fanfare on Oct. 31, 2012.

When employees of the Alaska Rail Road speak of Steve, I hope they remember to mention the night shifts and holidays he spent there at the depot so others could be home for the holidays to celebrate with their families.

The past four years Steve spent winters as a "snow bird," visiting Texas and living with his family and their dogs in Temple, Texas, through the winter months. He was loved and will be so missed.

Steve is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Moody, and his son-in-law, Joshua Moody, as well as his grandson, Stephen Chiperno, and grandaughter, Samantha Moody. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Chiperno Casazza, of Saratoga Springs, New York, and his brother, Ralph Chiperno, and his sister-in-law, Dr. Jil Bottrell, of Fairbanks, Alaska.