Stephen Richard Schlink's Obituary
Stephen Richard Schlink passed away on April 21 with his wife Mary at his side at their home in Nu’uanu Valley, Honolulu, Hawaii. Steve was born on August 5,1945 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Marilyn Ruth Seibert and George Franklin Schlink. He graduated from St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Fort Wayne.
Steve attended Abraham Lincoln High School and San Jose State University in San Jose, California and is remembered as an outstanding basketball player, earning the university’s all-time single season scoring record, MVP honors his senior year, and a spot on the All-WCAC team. He was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs for the NBA. However, the Viet Nam war imposed its own draft at the time. Since all military services fielded basketball and baseball teams, Steve’s coach advised him to enlist in the Naval Reserve.
Steve was assigned to Submarines Pacific Naval Base (SUBPAC) at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii playing basketball for the Navy with former teammates and players from other universities. They competed against military service teams in Hawaii and throughout the U.S. However, Steve was trained as a submariner, working in the supply office and participating in sea trials on a nuclear submarine, which with his 6’6” frame was a more comfortable fit than the traditional boat.
Steve met the love of his life, his wife of fifty-three years, Mary Olson, while stationed in Hawaii. They were married in 1970 and moved to northern California where Steve attended graduate school at San Jose State University, earning two MA degrees. The highlight of Steve’s thirty-three years at Leland High School in the San Jose Unified School District was teaching Advanced Placement Biology. He also coached Boys’ Varsity Basketball and Girls’ Varsity Volleyball for many years.
Steve loved playing, watching, and talking about sports-all sports, but the Golden State Warriors and the SF 49’ers were favorites, and golf of course. His great joy was coaching Stephanie, Chris, and Grant as youngsters, and as they pursued their athletic endeavors in volleyball, he was their avid fan and “sideline” coach, traveling with their club teams to tournaments all over the U.S.
In 2019, Steve and Mary retired to Hawaii where Steve embraced the laid-back life, enjoying family gatherings, local food at favorite restaurants, and walks along Ala Moana Beach Park. Even struggling with a debilitating condition, he remained ever kind and gentle, optimistic, with a subtle sense of humor, and a profound love for his family. He is remembered with affection by friends, family, and former students and eternally missed by his wife and children.
Steve is survived by his wife, Mary, daughter Stephanie, son Chris (Elisa), son Grant (Stephanie), three grandchildren, brother Michael, nephew Andy, and cousins. A Celebration of Life will be held at Diamond Head Mortuary Chapel on June 29 at 10:30 AM. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Diamond Head Memorial Park.
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