His journey began on December 29, 1942, where he was born in Broken Bow, NE, to Ernest “Jack” and Doris (Robinson) VanZandt.
After graduating from Sargent High School in 1961, Steve completed a degree in drafting at Nebraska Vocational Technical School in Milford, NE. Following two years as a draftsman with the Nebraska Department of Roads, Steve started what would become an amazing 42-year career with Brunswick Corporation/Lincoln Composites/General Dynamics. In those more than four decades, Steve worked his way up to becoming purchasing director and subcontracts manager. During his time there, Steve was proud to be an integral part of the company’s success with numerous aerospace and national defense projects over the years, including SkyLab, the United States’ first space station. After a successful career, Steve retired in 2006.
Steve was known for his kind heart, following UNL sports (especially volleyball), antiquing, reconnecting with high school classmates every five years at reunions and keeping in contact with past coworkers. Steve had a special love of gardening and nature. More than 20 years ago, along with his wife, Eileen, the two created what became to be known as the VanZandt garden at Riley Elementary School in Lincoln. The two spent thousands of hours volunteering their time to maintain the 5,000 sq. ft. outdoor living classroom, complete with hundreds of plants in garden beds and a koi pond complete with a waterfall and bog. Today, the garden is enjoyed by staff, students, their parents, the community (and ducks that return each year to hatch ducklings!). He was a planner and a deep thinker whose engineering brain would be put to task on many successful work, home, yard or garden projects.
Steve is survived by his loving wife, best friend, and high school sweetheart, Eileen; children who he was so proud of, Alan (Miguel Dominguez) VanZandt,
of St. Joseph, MO, and Ann (Joe) Krotter of O’Neill, NE; grandchildren Allie Krotter, Jack Krotter, and James Krotter, who he loved having visits with and keeping up with their busy lives; sister Janette Austin of Sargent, NE, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law Edward and Evelyn Kriss; sister Connie Hanna and her spouse, Cliff; brothers-in-law Don Mohr and Gaylen Austin as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A special thanks to the one-on-ones at St. Elizabeth’s hospital and Hillcrest Firethorn Hospice in Lincoln for the care and compassion they provided Steve in his final days.
A visitation for family and friends was held Friday, November 28, at Oscar’s Palladium in Sargent, NE, a place where Steve and Eileen met at a dance as teenagers and then again five years later when they celebrated their wedding with another dance.
Steve’s family and friends are invited to an informal Celebration of Life that will be held in Lincoln from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3 at the Pub Bar & Grill at 4947 Holdrege St. This was Steve’s favorite place to go for chicken fried chicken and a Coor’s Light.
Memorials may be designated to the Alzheimer’s Association, or Lincoln Public Schools Foundation for the Riley Elementary School’s VanZandt Garden Fund.