September 3, 1943 - January 24, 2023
Steven Toby Ophaug, 79, of Westminster, Colorado, died on January 24, 2023. He was born on September 3, 1943, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to Lieutenant Orville H. Ophaug and Kathleen Link Ophaug. Steve spent most of his childhood on army bases, including Tokyo, Japan; Wurzburg, Germany; and Frankfurt, Germany. While living in Tokyo, he infamously tussled with Arthur MacArthur, son of General Douglas MacArthur, and ended up in a koi pond.
Steve graduated from Proviso West High School in Chicago before starting college at Northern Illinois University, where he met nursing student Joan Anderson. The two wed a year later, and Steve transferred to Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, where he graduated with a business degree.
A career in Human Relations with General Electric led the couple to every corner of the United States, raising daughters Cyndy and Patty along the way. They settled in Denver in 1985. Steve and Joan spent their retirement traveling the world, visiting six of seven continents. When they were home in Colorado, they split their time between Westminster and Grand Lake. The two volunteered countless hours hiking the trails of Rocky Mountain National Park as VIPs-Volunteers In Park.
Steve is survived by his wife, Joan; his daughter, Cyndy; son-in-law, Curt; grandson, Ian; and son-in-law, Michael. He was predeceased by his daughter Patti Melosh. His sister, Mary, and nieces, Jenny and Kristi, also survived him.
Memorial Information
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2023
Time: 10:30 am
Rundus Funeral Home
1998 W. 10th Ave
Broomfield, CO 80020
