Stephen K. Reich

1949 - 2018

Stephen K. Reich

Oxnard, CA

On Wednesday, July 25, 2018, Stephen K. Reich, known to friends and family as "Steve," passed away at the age of 68.

A Southern California native, Steve was born at Queen of Angels Hospital in Los Angeles on November 9, 1949, to Robert and Betty Reich. He graduated from West Covina High School in 1967 before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from Cal Poly Pomona in 1971.

As a young man, Steve spent time at the beach near his Huntington Beach home while he wasn't working night shifts as a medical technologist/microbiologist at Los Angeles County General Hospital. Although this job took him 40 miles from home each day, Steve enjoyed the easy off-hours commute, as well as getting to know Thelma Aquino, a young doctor who also worked at L.A. County General.

Steve and Thelma were married on May 4, 1981, at St. Martha's Catholic Church in West Covina. Shortly thereafter, the Reichs moved to Detroit, Michigan, where Thelma completed her family practice residency. Their first son Robert was born in Detroit in 1982. The young family returned to California in July of 1985. In the years that followed, they had another son - Andrew, born in 1988 - bought a home in Oxnard and started a private family practice. Steve managed Thelma's office, which served the community for 21 years.

After retiring on Aug. 1, 2013, Steve and Thelma traveled the world together - spending time on all seven continents - attended the weddings of their two sons and spent lots of time with their grandson Jonas, who was born in August 2016.

Steve was thoroughly engaged in life. He could be found deep sea fishing off the coast of Mexico; trying out a new recipe; dining with his family at a steak house; listening to and discussing his favorite classic rock albums and musicians; watching a Dodger game from his spot on the couch; or philosophizing with his close friend Jean.

While he pursued his interests with fervor, Steve loved his family above all else. He is deeply loved and will be deeply missed. Steve is survived by Thelma, his wife of 37 years; Robert and Andrew, his sons; Emily and Rachelle, his daughters-in-law; Jonas, his grandson; David and Becky, his brother and sister-in-law; Valerie and Dennis, his sister and brother-in-law; his devoted nieces, nephews and extended family; and his two beloved dogs Winston and Ronald.

Funeral services will be held for Steve in August 2018. He will be interred at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Rowland Heights, California.