Obituaries

Richard Stephen “Steve” Florek was born in Houston TX to Ralph and Althea Florek. The family moved to New Orleans, LA, where Steve served as an altar boy at St Patrick’s Church and attended Sacred Heart High School. Steve studied Electrical Engineering at Rice University in Houston TX and went on to obtain his Master’s degree at Purdue University in Indiana. He moved to Silicon Valley in 1977 where he built a nearly 30-year career as a design engineer.

Steve’s dedication to learning and education was evident throughout his entire life. He taught science and economics classes at St. Thomas More School, Milpitas High, Live Oak Academy, and Schmahl Science, and was a Boy Scout Troop Leader. He served as a catechist for Baptism preparation at St. Leonard’s Catholic Church for 25 years and was an active advocate for pro-life groups across the state.

Steve’s hobbies included tending to his home of 45 years, building custom furniture, tinkering with cars, and adding to his extensive book and movie collection. He was an encyclopedia of knowledge about history, philosophy, and the lives of the saints. One of his great prides was his backyard orchard of fruit trees where he spent hours bird watching and making friends with the neighborhood cats.

Steve is survived by his brothers Fred and Rodney, his five beloved children: Kristen (Matthew) Kent, Daniel, Lindsey, James, and Mary (Augustin) Wilson, and nine beautiful grandchildren. He is predeceased by his father Ralph, his mother Althea, and brother Raymond.

A Requiem Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 30th, 10am at St. Margaret Mary Roman Catholic Church in Oakland CA, immediately followed by a brief reception in the parish hall. The burial will take place at 1pm at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward CA.