Stefan “Steve” Richard Kulpa, Jr., died at age 61 of complications from the cancer he’d been bravely battling. Surrounded by family and friends, his fight ended Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, at Skagit Valley Hospital.

Steve was born November 19, 1947 in Kassel, Germany, to Hildegard and Stefan Kulpa, Sr. At age 4, he and his parents crossed the Atlantic to make a new life in America. Steve enjoyed boyhood in Penns Grove, N.J., and attended St. James Catholic High School. Shortly after graduating from high school, Steve joined the Navy and served his country for four years.

During his tour of duty, Steve was stationed at NAS Whidbey and fell in love with the area. After he completed his service, Steve attended police academy in New Jersey and joined the Hopatcong Police Department. In 1975, he met and fell in love with Jeryl Lynn Merkler and they were married June 18, 1978. After making their first home in New Jersey, the beauty of Washington continued to call him and he and his new wife moved across the country to live in Everett. Steve accepted a job as a police officer in Oak Harbor shortly before learning that they were expecting their first child, Lynn. They moved to Oak Harbor where they had their second child, Stefan, a few years later.

Steve was a well liked and highly respected police officer at Oak Harbor Police Department for 27 years. After retiring from OHPD, he drove buses for Island Transit and remained a beloved figure in the community. Steve raised a wonderful family and loved nothing more than to spend time with them, especially to take trips together and watch his children grow. Camping, fishing, and beach walking were also among his favorite things. Steve was known for his goofy sense of humor — he’d do anything for a laugh. Even as he battled cancer from a hospital room, he could crack everyone up with a funny face or off-the-wall comment.

Steve is survived by his loving wife, Jeryl Kulpa, of Oak Harbor; his children, Lynn Kulpa, of Zillah, Wash., and Stefan Kulpa, III, of Ellensburg, Wash.; his sister, Karin Husfelt, her husband Robert, and son, James, of Smyrna, Del.; his brothers, Marion, and his wife, Catherine, of Carney’s Point, N.J., and Raymond Kulpa, Sr., his wife, Deborah, and son, Ray Jr., of Pennsville, N.J.

Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society to help others in their fight against cancer. Services were held this week to lay Steve to rest and celebrate his life. Condolences may be left at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com.