Steven Craig Wittmaack, 64, of Joshua Tree California made the journey to Heaven on 6/16/2012 at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center from heart failure. Steven was born in Ida Grove Iowa on 2/4/1948 to Gertrude and Charles Wittmaack. Steven grew up with two older siblings, his brother Chuck and his sister Carol.  Steven married three times during his life. His first wife Helen, was a member of the United States Air Force. She and Steven lived in Lompoc. His second wife, Jena was a homemaker. They lived in Guam with their only child, Christiana. Later, his third wife, Cynthia continued Steven’s desire for world travel as they ventured to Holland to visit Cynthia’s parents.

During his life, Steven became a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force.  There he completed his AA degree. Steven proudly served the United States Military for 20 years. He took a position in the Defense Meteorological Space Program. During his years of devoted service, Steven was awarded several medals including but not limited to:

Meritorious Service Metal Air Force Commendation Metal Humanitarian Service Medal National Defense Service Medal

During his life Steven lived in the United States, Germany, Japan, Okinawa, and Guam.

Steven was an avid SCUBA diver and certified SCUBA instructor. To some, his motto in life could have been “I SCUBA dive therefor I am”. Steven’s most cherished aspect of SCUBA was the fact that no one could reach him to make demands on him by phone when he was in the ocean.

Steven was also an avid reader and enjoyed science fiction novels. Throughout his life he collected a complete library of science fiction novels and research books. Cookbooks were also a favorite as Steven was a gifted chef. One of his favorite pastimes was strolling through the cooking gadget section at fairs and purchasing the new, state of the art, appliances.

Steven had a very giving heart. He wished that he could adopt all the animals from the animal shelter and adopt orphans from around the world to give them a good and loving home. During his final years of life, Steven spent a day at a marine mammal rehabilitation center caring for critically ill seals and sea lions.

Steven is survived by his brother Charles Stanley Wittmaack, his sister Carol Wittmaack, and his daughter Christiana Wittmaack. He is preceded by his mother Gertrude Wittmaack and his father Charles Wittmaack.

Services will be held at Riverside National Cemetery on July 2nd, 2012, at 1:30PM.

Summing up Steven’s life leaves just one sentence. “Live life fully.”