April 2, 1938 - August 4, 2018
Steve Birtwhistle, 60 years young, passed peacefully, the afternoon of August 4. He will be remembered as a kind man, father, son and husband.
He was born on April 2, 1958 during a rainy day in Stockton to loving parents Jack and Robie Birtwhistle. He was the youngest of the family with two older sisters, Linda (John Studarus) and Kristin (Burnett Gunter). He was known as the "little prince" of the family.
As a young man, he grew up traveling extensively as a family taking long summer road trips across the country in their Pontiac station wagon and took a six-month sabbatical in Europe. Steve's stellar performances during most "Jeopardy" TV shows was a direct result of those adventures and experiences. Those journeys gave him a vast worldwide understanding of history, geography, amazing sunsets and current events. It also created a love for the outdoors and camping. He was most proud of a multi-year hands-on experience helping to build the family's second home in Tahoe's Homewood neighborhood-a family destination for over 40 years.
He made lifelong friends as early as Colonial Heights Elementary School. At Lincoln High School he excelled in Track and Field and Basketball and met his wife of 33 years, Kristen Spracher Birtwhistle. He continued his education at Delta College and University California at Davis where he proudly graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics.
After college, Steve was a leader for multiple wineries in Lodi and Manteca where he served as a production manager and was a significant player in opening new wineries, bottling lines, operational systems and wine products for Delicato, Mondavi, Sutter Home, RJ Cook Winery and Kirigen Winery. He spent a year in Australia working exhausting hours during a "down under" crush. He fondly recalls it all started with grading peaches. His service in the wine industry brought with it true friends and colleagues along his 37 years in this great field.
Steve was most proud of his title as the father of Lauren (NJ Petersen) and Connor. He was a staple at their schools, and was a carpool dad dedicated to his children's sporting and social events. He encouraged and promoted wide life experiences. He planned a father-son trip to Ireland with Connor when he was 12, a trip both would never forget, and made annual weekend visits to San Francisco with Lauren for movies, theatre and great restaurants. He never failed to encourage and support his children's adventurous spirits. Ten days after his passing, his first grandchild was born, Bennett Brooks Peterson, who will learn from the example that Steve set in experiencing life in unique and thoughtful ways.
SERVICE
There will be a memorial service on Friday, October 26, 2018 at 4:00pm at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park located at 14165 N. Beckman Road, Lodi, CA 95240.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Birtwhistle family.
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