Stevan Pittl
Aug. 30, 1941-May 21, 2024
Pleasanton, California
It is with great sorrow that the family of Stevan F. Pittl announce his passing. Steve was born August 30, 1941 and died suddenly and unexpectedly on May 21, 2024 at the age of 82.
Steve was born in Vukovar, Yugoslavia to Stefan and Teresa (Ther) Pittl, the same year the Axis powers invaded Yugoslavia in World War II. At the age of 4, along with his older sister Mary, Steve and his parents fled from Vukovar as the war continued, and after a short stay with family in Linz, Germany, they went to Ternberg, Austria. The family was placed in a displaced persons camp. It was here in Austria that Steve started school and learned to speak German in the hopes of one day making it to America.
In 1951, at the age of 10 and with the help of Catholic Charities, the family traveled by boat and arrived in New York. Steve had an uncle living in Dayton, Ohio so the four Pittl’s boarded a train and put down roots in Dayton. Steve started fourth grade at Holy Trinity Catholic School not knowing a word of English. He went on to graduate from Chaminade High School in 1959.
Soccer had always been a constant in Steve’s life and so he joined Edelweiss Soccer Club in Dayton and was soon offered a soccer scholarship to Indiana Tech.
His professional career began at National Cash Register (NCR) in Dayton, where he was a design draftsman. As if living through one war was not enough, in 1966 Steve was drafted into the Army where he earned the rank of Sergeant and served as a radio operator in the Vietnam War. When he returned to the States in 1967, Steve resumed his job at NCR and returned to playing soccer at Edelweiss.
In 1968 he went on a blind date with an elementary school teacher, Barbara Redden. They were married in June of 1970 and welcomed their first daughter, Christine four years later. In 1975 Steve accepted a job with Quartz International (QI) and the family moved to Danbury, Connecticut. It was here that Steve and Barbara welcomed their son, Danny. After only a year in Danbury, Steve was transferred to Quartz International’s home office in Silicon Valley. Steve and Barbara settled down for good in Pleasanton, California where they had two more children, Stefanie and Anthony.
Steve’s easygoing nature and engaging smile led him to lasting friendships and great business success for over 38 years in the semiconductor industry. His strong work ethic and determination contributed to his success at first as a sales representative and eventually as President of QI.
After his retirement, Steve honed his golf skills and improved his game with weekly rounds and regular visits to the driving range. His favorite pastime however, was spending time with his wife, four children and their spouses, and his eight grandkids.
Steve was a devout Catholic starting with his baptism in Yugoslavia, First Communion in Austria, and his Confirmation and Marriage in Dayton, Ohio. Steve’s faith continued as he and Barbara have been active members of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church for 47 years.
In 2003, Steve and Barbara found a cause close to their heart - Pleasanton Military Families. With multiple family members having served in the Armed Forces, it’s only fitting that the couple become involved in this group that supports local military personnel and their families.
The family wishes to thank everyone for the extreme outpouring of support and sympathy. Steve was an incredible man and was clearly loved by so many.
Steve is survived by his wife Barbara (Redden), daughter Christine Butler (Billy), son Danny Pittl, daughter Stefanie Wierda (Andrew), son Anthony Pittl (Brandy), and 8 grandchildren - Lucas, Sammy, Avery and Ben Butler, Tate and Marley Wierda, Alyssa and Mason BasBas.
Tags: veteran
