Steven Duane Scheel, 76, of Vancouver, passed away peacefully on Aug. 5, 2024.
Steve, as he was known to his loved ones, was born on June 13, 1948, to Lawrence and Lois Scheel in Vancouver, Washington. After graduating from Battle Ground High School in 1966, he joined the U.S. Forest Service and then the U.S. Navy where he rose to the rank of aviation boatswain’s mate 3rd Class before being honorably discharged. Steve then purchased his own hay truck, inspired by years of truck driving with his father. After graduating from Portland State University with a degree in geology, Steve spent the remainder of his career at Bonneville Power. Although retired, he never stopped working, taking on the project of restoring a 1948 Kenworth semi-truck, which would be a major focus of his and his beloved wife, Diana.
Throughout his life, Steve loved the outdoors. He spent many years hiking, camping, kayaking, fishing and riding motorcycles with family and friends. He had a particular passion for bicycles and was well known for his strength, speed and endurance, along with the ability to humble riders many years his junior.
Steve is survived by his wife, Diana; son, Michael (from his first marriage to Carol Del Grosso); sister, Christine Blue; and brothers, Scott Scheel (Susan), Bob Scheel (Denise) and Larry Scheel (Christine). He is also survived by his stepdaughter, Julie Tracy; and stepsons, Nick Pasmore, Ralph Bodenner and Chris Bodenner. He was “Uncle Steve” to Dawn Stob and Gary Piazza, and to Gloria Cornell, Mark Scheel, Hannah Basha, Ben Jaramillo, Fay Jaramillo and Nina Jaramillo. He was “Grandpa Steve” to Felix Ayala, Mikella Lukas, Samantha Shaver, Cody, Jordan and Hunter Pasmore, Freya Bodenner and Henry Bodenner. And he was simply “Steve” to countless other friends and colleagues who knew him always (as his family did) as a man committed to principle, respect, support and love for the people around him.
Steve Scheel touched countless lives with significance, and he will be truly missed.
