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BORN
1963
DIED
2023
Stephen McLaughlin Obituary
Stephen Edward McLaughlin
Stephen Edward McLaughlin, born September 17, 1963, passed away at the VA hospital in Washington, DC, March 25, 2023. He was a graduate of Silver Spring High School in Silver Spring, Maryland. He enrolled in the school of architecture at the University of Virginia on a Navy ROTC scholarship. Upon graduation, he was commissioned in the Navy and spent four years as a surface warfare officer. After his military service, he earned a master's degree in landscape architecture from Louisianna State University. He retired from working on contract to the State Department in 2020 due to his struggle with ALS.
Steve is survived by his wife, Sophia; his father and stepmother, John and Mary Ann McLaughlin; his mother, Jean McLaughlin; and brother, Thomas McLaughlin.
A celebration of Steve's life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, July 22, at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 9701 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Charitable contributions can be made to the DC/MD/VA chapter of the ALS Association.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Stephen McLaughlin
Carla Ellern
June 9, 2025
I was honored to serve on the Executive Committee of the Potomac Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects with Stephen. He served as secretary for many years and was integral to the team until he was forced to retire due to his ALS symptoms. I just learned about his passing. Please accept my condolences.
Al St I les
December 30, 2024
Steve, Spanky to his wardroom mates, was my ASW Officer. But more than that, he was a good shipmate. Together, we went to The Wall.when I broke down in tears, Steve was there to comfort me...I will miss him.
John Pinnata
October 21, 2023
Great guy and great friend
Kelly B
October 9, 2023
I've know Steve since we were all kinds and we most recently reconnected at while working for the federal government. He was such a nice guy and always exuded positivity. My sincerest condolences. I'm sorry I missed the celebration of life.
Christopher Martel
August 3, 2023
I served with Steve on the Julius A Furer FFG-6 through her decommissioning and attended many JAF reunions with him. He will surely be missed by many. Fair Winds my friend and condolences to his wife and family.
Chris Martel FC1(sw) on board JAF 1985-1989
Edmund Smith
July 31, 2023
I knew Steve from the USS Julius A Furer reunions and website. He was a great guy. Fair-winds and following seas, my friend.
Carolyn Brannon
July 23, 2023
Condolences to his family.
Sarah Wang
July 20, 2023
We were very proud to call Steve our brother-in-law, and our daughter Emily was always very fond of her Uncle Steve.
Steve was a wonderful person with so much knowledge and a great inspiration for our family.
We´re so grateful for the love he has shown to us and to Sophia, and hope he knows how much
he is loved in return.
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