Mr. Stephen T. Alexieff

February 14, 1932 - March 20, 2021

Stephen T. Alexieff, 89, of Roswell, Georgia, died Saturday, March 20, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Steve was born in San Pedro, California, on February 14, 1932 – a Valentine’s baby and the first among four siblings. His father’s work took the family all over the United States, but he most identified with his years spent in New England and considered himself a true northeasterner. He served as a weapons mechanic in the U.S. Air Force for four years during the Korean War. He was stationed at Burtonwood USAF Base in the U.K. – a choice he got to make after graduating in the top two of his basic training class – where he met Shirley Normington. They married in Warrington, England, on December 17, 1953, and returned to the United States the following year, living with his parents in Rhode Island as he completed his college education at the Rhode Island School of Design. An industrial designer by training, he spent his entire career at Armstrong World Industries, rising to the position of assistant director of design before retiring in 1990. He holds a patent for a ceiling system he developed while at Armstrong. Steve and Shirley relocated from Rhode Island to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where Armstrong was headquartered, and eventually had two daughters, Stephanie and Jennifer. The couple enjoyed bridge, gourmet club and bowling together. They were married for 48 years, until Shirley’s death in 2001. Steve was an accomplished model airplane hobbyist, focusing on World War II airplanes and completing some 500 models, many since his retirement. He also amassed an enormous collection of aviation-related books, using many to customize the airplanes he built and reading many memoirs for pleasure. He was interested in American history and politics and served as a judge of elections in East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, for many years. In addition to being an avid reader, he enjoyed NASCAR racing, country music, movies and traveling. He visited Florida, New York and California, and went on a number of tours to historic sites, with his companion, Peggy Olson, who he met in 2003 and spent a decade with before her death. As his health failed, he moved to Georgia and spent his last years with daughter Stephanie and Christopher Zercher, her husband, in Roswell. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Stephen and Imogene Hyde Alexieff; daughter Jennifer Lynne Ketner; and sister Susan Marangell. Along with Stephanie and Chris, his survivors include a brother, Peter Alexieff, of Three Rivers, Texas; a sister, Carol Hilton, of Oceanside, California; two grandchildren, Brian Ketner and Ashlee Ketner, of Lancaster; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service and interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated.