John Egbert Stevens

John Egbert Stevens, 89, born on October 5, 1924, passed away September 20, 2014. He resided in Oceanside, California, at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cypress, California.

In his nearly ninety years of life, John touched lives and left his mark. His long earthly journey is now over.

John Stevens was born in Miraj, India, the youngest of 3 children and only son of a Dutch father, John Egbert Stevens, Sr., and an English mother, Margaret Davis Stevens, who were Presbyterian missionaries in India. He died in Oceanside, California in the arms of his long-time partner, Betsy. He was, is, and always will be loved by Betsy, his 3 children, 6 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and his surviving older sister - the nucleus of his family.

John earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering in 1950 from the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. It was in Tucson where he met and married in 1948 Phyllis Freeman, his wife for 17 years and mother of his 3 children. First daughter, Janet, was born in Tucson in 1949.

John served his country and community well, as a soldier, officer, veteran, Rotarian, engineer. A member of The Greatest Generation, he was part of the U.S. Army occupational forces in Japan as a 1st Lieutenant after WWII and in the Korean Conflict. In Japan, he was a Railroad Transportation Officer with responsibility from Fuji to Tokyo. In Korea, he was in charge of a combat engineering unit that fought near Chisong-ni, South Korea. It was here that he received a shrapnel injury for which he received the Purple Heart. John was extremely proud of his military service (1944-1946, 1950-1952).

After leaving Korea and returning to the States in 1952, John worked for the USDA Soil Conservation Service in Yuma, AZ. His family was growing with the addition of a second daughter, Suzanne, born in 1951. In 1954 the family moved from Yuma to Long Beach, CA where he was employed as an engineer with the Long Beach Harbor Department. In 1956 a son Kennon was born. In the early 1960s John and Phyllis bought a lot and built a 'sweet retreat' cabin in Moonridge at Big Bear Lake. Many summers days and some winter ones were spent at the cabin until Phyllis's death in 1965. John was a single parent until he married Margaret Susan (Suzie) Chambers whom he met in Hermosa Beach where he was hired as the city's first City Engineer and later became the city's first Public Works Director. His greatest achievement in public works there was engineering and administrative oversight of the Hermosa Beach pier construction. Suzie was his wife for 19 years, most of that time spent in Santa Ana where he was the city's Assistant Director of Public Works (1970-1976) and Director of Public Works (1976-1980). John retired from public service in 1980. In honor of his dedication to being an outstanding public servant, a testimonial was given before the U.S. House of Representatives in 1980 by the Honorable Jerry Patterson. Betsy Vincent entered his life in 1990 and together they moved to and resided in San Luis Obispo for over 20 years where he contributed generously to that community. During this time John and Betsy traveled the world extensively. John and Betsy moved to Oceanside in 2011 when his health began to significantly decline.

John was a life-long Rotarian, believing in "Service Above Self", and served as a member of the Board of Directors for Rotary International, conducted international and community service work, and led song sessions during countless Rotary meetings. His gifted voice was part of weddings, local and family gatherings, chorales and operas. John was a life member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and belonged to several other professional engineering societies and public works associations. He enjoyed opera, gardening, growing roses, writing poems, photography, hiking, and driving his 1984 Jeep Wagoneer.

The Jeep remains in the garage, the Stevens cabin sits empty on its lot, his neatly organized files and photos rest in their cabinets and albums, and his engineering mind is a legacy for many. Alzheimer's disease took its toll on a man of pride and honor and service -one of the dwindling members of The Greatest Generation.

John Stevens is survived by his partner, Betsy Vincent, and her 4 daughters and 8 grandchildren; his daughters Janet Bond and Suzanne Knapp and son Kennon Stevens; his grandchildren Yvonne Rooney, Jennifer Gwiazda, Tamara McCoy, Chester Knapp, Lindsay Roper, and Clarissa Stevens; his great-grandchildren Lauren Rooney, Andrew Rooney, Reagan Gwiazda, Kilton McCoy, and Isaac Knapp-Gonzalez; and his sister Ruth Ralston. He was preceded in death by another sister, Peggy Hoell. We will miss him dearly.

A graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn, 4471 Lincoln Avenue, Cypress, CA on October 4th at 2:30PM. Casket viewing will begin at 10:00AM and a reception will follow the service (ForestLawn.com). Donations may be made to "The Rotary Foundation" (https://www.rotary.org).