Casey Durst
This is a tribute to my oldest brother Steve, and since he lived life to the fullest, it is not a short tale.
Our dad served in the US Navy, beginning in World War II, for over 20 years. Brother Steve also served in the navy, beginning in 1967. He had three tours of duty in Vietnam in a career spanning more than 20 years.
Steve grew up at a time when boys could try their hand at anything. For our family, this was a necessity; since our father was often at sea, it was up to Steve and Ray to be the men of the household. (Steve and Ray were born a year apart. From my perspective 11 years younger, they were always a pair, and the men of the house.) They planted the yard, built a cedar fence, and installed heavy rockery framing the front porch. Many of these rocks weighed close to 200 pounds! This was when Steve and Ray were teenagers. Consequently, they grew up confident, bold, and capable. There was nothing they could not do, or at least try. Steve and Ray would exhibit these qualities their entire lives.
My brother met Patti at college, and they married in 1967. Within a few weeks, they left for Pensacola, Florida so Steve could attend navy flight school. This was the beginning of many more duty stations and moves, up and down both coasts, and one memorable tour in Japan.
Steve loved to garden, and their homes always had beautiful flowers and trees. He also loved food of every cuisine. He may be the only person I knew who read “Gourmet Magazine” from cover to cover. He also loved art and traveling. When on deployment to Europe, he organized his fellow officers to tour nearby cities. I think Steve’s private motto was, “So many things to experience, and so little time!”
I know that when I see Steve again, it will be in heaven, and he will nonchalantly say, “Hey, you made it” and chuckle with his broad and unforgettable smile.
Dedicated with love to all who knew and loved my brother Steve.
