Steve Ketchum was born in Los Angeles on November 24th, 1963 and later became big brother to Scott and Lisa. His parents, Barbara and Sidney, cheered him on through many adventures and endeavors in life from scouts to baseball to college and becoming a father himself.
In 1993, while living in Kansas City, he met his wife Miyuki and they were lucky to have celebrated over 26 years with one another. Together, they enjoyed creating memories with their kids and grandkids, giving them hands-down the best vacations ever!
Steve excelled in college earning a degree in Civil Engineering, which took him from Idaho to Missouri and eventually to a permanent home in Arizona. He retired from the City of Mesa after 19 years of hard work and dedication!
Steve was a loving father to his six children and a wonderful grandfather to six grandchildren. One of his major dad goals was to become Clark Griswold, which his kids can attest he certainly provided the Griswold Experience!
Steve shared his passion for music, movies, and hobbies with all those around him. When he wasn’t making jokes and quoting lines with his family and friends, he was enjoying one of his many hobbies. He played multiple sports, enjoyed ski trips, playing cards with his family, read many books, enjoyed time with his dogs, jamming on the drums, amateur karaoke & dancer, and was a highly respected trivia master!
Although, not a gourmet chef, a case could be made for his world famous carrot cake and lasagna.
Steve is survived by his wife, Miyuki, his mother, Barbara, his children, Alicia, Nathan, Alex, Hide, Dannae and Xyonane, as well as his grandchildren and many special friends.
Steve returned home to his father, Sidney, sister, Lisa, Brother Scott, and beloved pets on November 28th, 2019. He will be forever remembered and treasured for the thoughtful, funny and loving man that he was. Party on, Steve!
A memorial service will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday December 4th at Bunker’s Garden Chapel, 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa AZ 85201.
Me pesa mucho la pérdida de mi cuñado. Era una gran persona!
I worked in the Engineering Division at the City of Mesa from 2007 – 2012. I was one of the younger engineers. Steve was always very patient with his explanation of engineering processes and specifications as well as with my antics. Very eager to mentor and help. Steve was always working, almost so quiet you wouldn’t know he was there. Not looking for self promotion or accolades just completing one project after another. My condolences to his family and I am deeply saddened by his early passing.
I first met Steve in the 90s in Kansas City, when my sister Miyuki and Steve invited me to ride with them to a vacation in Idaho.
He was very nice to me and I could tell he had a big heart.
Then I lived with them for few months in St. Louis and had the opportunity to share more time together. After that I saw him few more times when they moved back to Kansas City. I spent some time with them again in Mesa, before I moved to Italy in 2000.
I saw him twice in Mexico in the 2000s at my parents, and the last time was this year, when Miyuki and Steve came to Europe .
I was their “tour guide” in Italy and had a chance to show them some of the most beautiful sites in my country. We had the wonderful opportunity to spend some great quality time as a family.
He was a great brother-in-law, always there to give me a hand when I needed it. He showed me many times in his own way how much he cared about me.
I consider myself very lucky I had such a great person in my life and to be a part of his family.
You will be missed, Steve…until we meet again!
Some people cross your way many times and do not touch you at all, others enlight your way and Life with their presence even if they cross your path for a small amount time. So was Steve, his light will be missed here. He touched our lives and changed them even if I shared only a Little time betwen Mexico and our home in Italy when Miyuki and Steve onored us visiting our home. We will miss you, I Will miss your funny laugh and I will miss sharing a beer while watching TV 🍻 . Thanks to be part of our lives.
I truly enjoyed working with Steve Ketchum at the City of Mesa, very easy going guy, cared about his work and those he interacted with. Thank you to the family for sharing him with the City of Mesa staff, and thank you Steve for being such a great guy to work with. I’m sure heaven met you with open arms my friend.
Marty
My sincere condolences to the Ketchum Family. He always spoke of his family with pride. Steve was a colleague of mine at the City of Mesa for the 5 years that I was there and was a great example to me of kindness, working hard, and would always point me in the right direction. On occasion, I would need to drop by the office for a few hours on a weekend to catch up and would most often see Steve there as well plugging away. We always had a good chat! This great man will be missed.
Un abrazo para toda familia, me siento muy triste, Steve era un yerno muy atento y un gran ser humano
Until earlier this year, I worked with Steve at the City. In my capacity as one of the lawyers for the Engineering Department, I worked with Steve on several projects. I appreciated his intelligence and his prodigious skill as an engineer, but also his warmth and kindness. Even when tensions ran high, Steve was steady, solid, and ready to help. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to his family, and to all of his friends in the Engineering Department, where I know that his sudden and tragic loss will be keenly felt.
I’ve known and worked alongside Steve for years. I respect him and admire him. He was one of the most well rounded, knowledgeable project managers I’ve ever met but humble enough not to accept accolades. Steve was always a wealth of knowledge on just about any topic whether it was politics, sports, current events, or pop culture. I appreciate his kindness, understanding, knowledge, example, positive outlook, and even his dry humor. Steve loved talking about his family, particularly his kids and grandkids. Steve loved the City of Mesa and took so much pride in doing a good job. He is and was one of the most committed staff members I’ve ever worked with. Steve, you will be missed for so much by so many. A large void is left with your passing. May heaven receive you with open arms for the good man you are!
I had the pleasure of working along side Steve for the past 14 years. My cubicle was next to his for the first 8 years, so I got to know Steve pretty well. He was a great mentor and always led by example. He had a way of changing conversation into something that would make you laugh. He would sometimes says “we need more cowbells”, a line from a skit on SNL. Some people have a great impact on your life, Steve was one.
I knew Steve from my time at the City of Mesa. He was always a wealth of knowledge and a smile on his face and always eager to help wherever he could. Also was right there for our Christmas celebrations. I was blessed to run back into him couple weeks back since I left the City several years back. He exclaimed while he retired but one of the best things was playing with his dog that was right beside him at Candleight Park. Thought and prayers to your family
Oma me lo acaba de decir. Que la gracia y consolación de Jesús invada tu corazón y de toda tu familia
Les enviamos abrazos y besos de condolencias, A nuestra prima Miyuki, y todos sus hijos y familiares de ella y de Steve por esta dolorosa pérdida, y les deseamos la fortaleza y resignación para seguir adelante recordando los buenos momentos que pasaron con El. Abrazos
To the Ketchum family: no words I can say will help or make anything better. But know that my heart is breaking for your loss, for all of you. Steve was a genuine good guy and I’m so sad that he’s gone! I know you must have lots of good memories and I hope they will help you all in the coming days. I will miss Steve’s sense of humor, his sincerity and his way of making others feel important. Thank you for sharing him with us at the City! My best wishes to you all.
I remember vividly being on the selection panel in the Engineering department in 2001 that interviewed Steve for the Sr. Civil engineer position. Steve pretty much answered every question with a perfect response. After leaving the room I jokingly asked the other panelist if he had access to the answers in advance! He really impressed us and with a day we offered him the position. As others mentioned here, he was truly dedicated to his projects. Like any other place of work, sometime we get upset and stressed out; not Steve. I cannot recall him being upset or unhappy with a co-worker. My condolences to the entire family, I know he is in a better place.
Conocí a Steve a través de mi amiga Miyuki y se que lo extrañarán mucho, envio mi pésame para la familia y a mi gran amiga
I was completely shocked to come across the news of Steve’s passing. I went to high school with him (Coeur d’Alene HS Class of 1981. Steve and I went to prom together, just as friends, our senior year. He was so kind and sweet. I didn’t receive our pictures from that night, because Steve was really shy and didn’t really talk to me after prom. When I ran into him at our 10th class reunion, I mentioned never getting our pictures. Two weeks later, our prom pics arrived in the mail at my mom’s house, with a sweet note saying his mom had hung onto them all those years. I will never forget his kindness. I’m so very very sorry for your loss.
Nathan, I’m so sorry for your loss, our prayers are with you and your family.
I worked with Steve on the Jefferson Park’s basketball court. He was genuine, meticulous, and very personable with a twinkle in his eyes. My sincere condolences and hope that our respect and admiration for him gives you comfort.
In Memoriam of Steve, Steve fue una gran persona excelente cuñado, los recuerdos son muchos en especial el Escobar a Elvis y ver Saturday Night live, siempre muchas risas, juegos. Ve con Dios.
I hadn’t seen Steve since junior high school but I just found 5 letters he wrote me during his first year in Idaho. Nothing deep, just 9th-10th grade stuff like asking if our bowling team got a trophy for the season that he had to leave early from, him getting a guitar, starting to ski and water ski, and getting a job at the country club that paid him only $2.50/hour but let him golf and play tennis for free! And of course goofy jokes like the one about what Star Trek and toilet paper have in common.
I’m sad we lost touch but there was no Internet in those days. I’m impressed that he and I actually wrote letters for a year! I’m happy to see that he made a great life for himself but sad that he went way too soon.