Obituary of Steve Meltzer
Stephen Kalman Meltzer was born on April 30, 1944 in Greenville, North Carolina. He was the son of Edwin Meltzer and Barbara (Keuzenkamp) Meltzer. He graduated from Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mt. Holly, New Jersey in 1962 where he was a star basketball player on a Championship team. Steve went on to play basketball for Texas Christian University, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Business Administration in 1966.
Steve then valiantly served his country by joining the Air Force. He did his pilot training at Webb Air Force Base in Big Springs, Texas in 1967. His service included two tours of duty in Viet Nam and one in South America. He flew the C-130 transport plane and was ultimately promoted to Training Captain, giving him the opportunity to train other pilots to fly the C-130. Steve received the Air Medal for his meritorious achievement while serving in Viet Nam. He also earned the South Vietnamese Medal of Honor, and the Second Cluster Air Medal. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1971 for his mission involving the medical extraction of two seamen severely burned on their ship in the Pacific south of Panama City in the Canal Zone. Steve was very proud of his military service and was honored to serve the country he loved. He left the Air Force with the rank of Major after several years in the Reserves.
On November 6, 1971, Steve married the love of his life, the former Elaine Allison Dean of Hudson, Ohio. Their only son, David Matthew, born in 1982, was his pride and joy. The couple enjoyed their home on Lake Erie since 1978. Steve and Elaine for the last ten years shared the snowbird life going back and forth to their condo on the Atlantic in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Steve had loved the water since he was young when he tested boats for his dad who built them. He owned many boats over the years, and they enjoyed many family vacations on the water.
After leaving the Air Force, Steve spent most of his years flying as a civilian. He was an Air Reserve Technician at air bases in Houston and Philadelphia teaching Air Reservists how to fly the C-130. He moved on to fly cargo for Zantop International at Willow Run, Michigan. His most enjoyable experience was flying Captain for Midway Airlines in Chicago, where he was called on to train new pilots to fly the DC-9. He loved talking about airplanes with friends. Many of the pilots he trained told him how he made a big contribution to their successful careers.
Steve was a man of conviction and determination. When he saw a problem, he met it head on. He spearheaded the movement for the successful retention of the Parks and Beaches for the use of his community of North Shores. He helped his condominium Moontide through some challenges over the years. He gave himself totally into whatever he set out to do. He loved his family and friends wholeheartedly and will be sadly missed.
Stephen Kalman Meltzer, age 79, of LaSalle, Michigan, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2023, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. His passing was preceded by his parents and a brother, Gary.
Left to cherish his memory, he is survived by his wife of fifty-one years: Elaine; a son, David (Marianne), and a beloved 5-year-old granddaughter, Stella.
A graveside service will be held at Noon on Saturday; July 15, 2023, at Roselawn Memorial Park, Section G, 13200 South Dixie Highway, La Salle, Michigan under the auspices of the Monroe Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1138. At 1:00pm a Celebration of His Life will follow at Laroy’s Hall, 12375 South Telegraph Road, La Salle. Family, friends, and neighbors are all invited to attend.
His care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070. Cremation has taken place through the on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan.
Donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 East River Road, Perrysburg, OH 43551.
Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com to leave words of inspiration and comfort or to share a photo.