Robert Steve Durst II's Obituary
Steve was born in New Orleans, the oldest of four boys. From his birth in 1945 to his death in 2026, he lived a remarkable yet unassuming life. Most people knew Steve as someone who had a 20-year navy career, then worked in the private sector, and finally retired in his 70s after more than ten years of government service.
But behind the scenes, the man with a winning smile who loved to entertain people also possessed gifts of a flexible mind and strong physiology. He studied political science and Russian, learned to fly planes, taught at the U.S. Naval Academy, and worked on satellite communication systems. Steve’s background never defined him; anything he needed to learn, he did. Long before GPS, he navigated across the Atlantic Ocean using a sextant. He taught himself to finish the basement of his house. He managed the design and implementation of a new government-wide computerized ID system for the U.S., despite never having had any computer training. He was the embodiment of fearlessness and determination.
Steve also had a love of the fine arts. His favorite paintings were the French Impressionists and the seascapes of Winslow Homer. He had an encyclopedic memory when it came to Western classical music; he could hear a piece and name its title, composer, orchestra and often the conductor. In his earlier years, Steve enjoyed oil painting; few people realize that the paintings in the Durst home are his creations.
As a young man, Steve’s heroes were the astronauts in the U.S. space program. As an officer, he served on the recovery ship for Apollo 13, beginning his lifelong passion for collecting space memorabilia. He became editor of a magazine of astrophilately, and even met one of his idols, Buzz Aldrin. Steve loved adventure and embraced the unknown, traveling the world with the Navy and in his civilian jobs. He visited Australia, the Far East, several European countries, and the Mediterranean. While the military sent him to Newport RI, San Diego, and Virginia Beach, Steve lobbied to serve in Japan before settling for good in the Annapolis area.
Steve was a Vietnam veteran whose career included meeting the king of Norway; acting as a presidential aide for the Reagan inauguration; navigating the USS Iwo Jima from Europe to New York in 1979 for a Bob Hope special aboard the ship, featuring the Village People, Charo and Sarah Jessica Parker. But he rarely talked about these things; life was for living, not for bragging about.
Steve met his wife Patti in college in Washington state, and they were married for 59 years. He is also survived by their children: Steve III, David and his wife Becky, and two grandchildren. His brothers Ray, Mike, and Casey, survive him in the Pacific Northwest and ask that he put in a good word with their Dad in advance.
A celebration of life will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton church on June 1 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a lunch in the hall at Our Lady of the Fields on Cecil Avenue in Millersville. Interment at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery will follow at 2:30. The family asks that anyone owning a Hawaiian shirt wear it to the service in Steve’s honor. He loved Hawaiian shirts and wore them whenever possible.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Steve’s name to Habitat for Humanity, Maryland Food Bank, Meals on Wheels of Central MD, or St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
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