Duane Bennie Stevens' Obituary
“For we know that the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed,
we have a building from God,
a house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens.”
- 2 corinthians 5:1
Sergeant First Class Duane Stevens was born at Fort Belvoir, Virginia on February 28th, 1962. He came from a family of service as his father was a United States Army Warrant Officer who flew Chinooks in Vietnam.
Duane met Gisela on his first duty assignment at the Berlin Brigade following Basic Training as he was just beginning his military career. They met while he was stationed at Cook Barracks in Goeppingen, Germany. He would later retire after over two decades of service to our nation and continued his national service as a Department of Defense contractor consultant, project manager, program manager, and Senior Capture & Business Manager for Huntington Ingalls Industries (HHI) at the time of his passing.
Family meant the most to Duane. He leaves behind his loving wife Gisela and two daughters, Pia and Resi. Grandchildren Sofia, Levi, and Payton by Pia, and Resi’s daughter Elizabeth. His service to our country was a source of much pride for Duane behind that of his family.
Duane entered the United States Army on April 25th of 1980 - serving under five Commanders-In-Chief. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Troy State University and received his Master’s Degree at Embry Riddle University.
He earned the following military decorations & awards:
● Expert Infantry Badge (EIB)
● Expert Marksman
● Basic Airborne “Jump Wings”
● Jumpmaster
● Airborne Instructor “Black Hat”
● Senior Parachutist
● Pathfinder
● Ranger Tab
● German and Greek Airborne Wings
● Multiple Badges in cooperation the the German Military
Duane earned his Overseas Service Ribbon, including multiple tours in Germany and deployments to Kosovo and the Middle East.
One of Duane’s proudest achievements was working for Huntington Ingall ls Industries.
He was a hard worker who enjoyed pushing himself towards reaching his goals and exploring new horizons within the industry. Duane always held his colleagues in the highest regards and spoke so highly of each individual, in his words as “team-players”. He will be remembered for all that he accomplished and the many lives that he touched. May we strive to follow in his footsteps and honor his memory.
Duane was loyal and faithful to the importance of family and his friends. His avid cuddles to each of the grandkids and kids, were never spared. He had an enjoyment to life and just having his walks with his feet in the sand at Madeira Beach, was his perfect way to end the day with his long time love Gisela. Throughout his life, his wisdom to get through the good and bad times for everyone, was always provided through his words, “It is what it is.”
Duane you will be so greatly missed, you will always be in our hearts and on our mind. See you soon!
What’s your fondest memory of Duane?
What’s a lesson you learned from Duane?
Share a story where Duane's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Duane you’ll never forget.
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