Stephen H. Bunker – Maryland State Police Corporal (ret), Aviator, Family Man Stephen “Steve” H. Bunker, a professional pilot and devoted family man, passed away on September 28, 2008. Steve was the pilot of the Maryland State Police helicopter that crashed early Sunday morning during a medevac operation for two individuals critically injured in an automobile accident. He was 59 years old.
“Steve loved to fly and he loved helping people” said his wife, Sherry Bunker. Steve had been a pilot for most of his adult life. He was a recreational pilot first, and then in 1984, he became a Maryland State Police pilot flying both the Bell Ranger and Eurocopter Dauphin Helicopters.
Born on October 15, 1948 in Annapolis, Maryland, Steve spent much of his childhood on the Chesapeake Bay with his family. It is here where he became an avid outdoorsman golfing, sailing and fishing on the bay. He also had a keen interest in flying and earned a commercial airplane pilots license. He had a strong interest in music and taught himself to play the piano and guitar.
Steve and his wife Sherry have known each other for 30 years and would have celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary this month. They have three children: Stacie, Scott, and Shelby. Stacie is currently attending the University of Maryland, and Scott is transferring to the University next year. Shelby is a junior in high school. Steve was a devoted husband and father spending most of his free time supporting his children’s extracurricular activities including soccer and basketball games, church and youth group functions, and dance and music recitals. The Bunker children remember their father as a hero that risked his life to save others.
Steve’s love of public service led him to a career with the Maryland State Police first as a Trooper in 1972, and later as a Pilot in 1984. He obtained advanced aviation certifications allowing him to become a certified flight instructor and a certified instrument pilot. Steve received numerous commendations and letters of appreciation during his service including the “Hero Award” from the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Sherry added, “Steve often spoke fondly of his colleagues in the Aviation Command. He considered them his brothers and sisters. They were family to him.”
Steve retired from the Maryland State Police Aviation Command in 1998 as a Corporal, but remained with the Aviation Command as a civilian pilot until his death. He was a member of the Maryland State Police Alumni Association.
Steve is survived by his wife, Sherry, his children Stacie, Scott, and Shelby, brothers Donald, Michael, and Thomas, a sister Teresa Florin, aunts Doris Slavin and Margie Engberg, an uncle John Engberg, a father-in-law Earl Bice, a mother-in-law Joann Bice, sisters-in-law Debra Bice, Jodi Bice, Louise Bunker, Barbara Bunker, brothers-in-law Earl Bice, Joseph Bice, and James Florin, and numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A public viewing will be held from 2pm to 8pm on Friday, October 3, 2008 at South Potomac Church, 4915 Crain Highway, White Plains, Maryland, 20695. A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at South Potomac Church and the interment will immediately follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, 4111 Pennsylvania Ave, Suitland, Maryland, 20746.
A memorial trust fund has been established in Steve’s honor. Contributions should be written to the Corporal Stephen H. Bunker Memorial Trust Fund and mailed to the following address:
Corporal Stephen H. Bunker Memorial Trust Fund
PO Box 6265
Waldorf, MD, 20603
“Steve loved to fly and he loved helping people” said his wife, Sherry Bunker. Steve had been a pilot for most of his adult life. He was a recreational pilot first, and then in 1984, he became a Maryland State Police pilot flying both the Bell Ranger and Eurocopter Dauphin Helicopters.
Born on October 15, 1948 in Annapolis, Maryland, Steve spent much of his childhood on the Chesapeake Bay with his family. It is here where he became an avid outdoorsman golfing, sailing and fishing on the bay. He also had a keen interest in flying and earned a commercial airplane pilots license. He had a strong interest in music and taught himself to play the piano and guitar.
Steve and his wife Sherry have known each other for 30 years and would have celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary this month. They have three children: Stacie, Scott, and Shelby. Stacie is currently attending the University of Maryland, and Scott is transferring to the University next year. Shelby is a junior in high school. Steve was a devoted husband and father spending most of his free time supporting his children’s extracurricular activities including soccer and basketball games, church and youth group functions, and dance and music recitals. The Bunker children remember their father as a hero that risked his life to save others.
Steve’s love of public service led him to a career with the Maryland State Police first as a Trooper in 1972, and later as a Pilot in 1984. He obtained advanced aviation certifications allowing him to become a certified flight instructor and a certified instrument pilot. Steve received numerous commendations and letters of appreciation during his service including the “Hero Award” from the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Sherry added, “Steve often spoke fondly of his colleagues in the Aviation Command. He considered them his brothers and sisters. They were family to him.”
Steve retired from the Maryland State Police Aviation Command in 1998 as a Corporal, but remained with the Aviation Command as a civilian pilot until his death. He was a member of the Maryland State Police Alumni Association.
Steve is survived by his wife, Sherry, his children Stacie, Scott, and Shelby, brothers Donald, Michael, and Thomas, a sister Teresa Florin, aunts Doris Slavin and Margie Engberg, an uncle John Engberg, a father-in-law Earl Bice, a mother-in-law Joann Bice, sisters-in-law Debra Bice, Jodi Bice, Louise Bunker, Barbara Bunker, brothers-in-law Earl Bice, Joseph Bice, and James Florin, and numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A public viewing will be held from 2pm to 8pm on Friday, October 3, 2008 at South Potomac Church, 4915 Crain Highway, White Plains, Maryland, 20695. A memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at South Potomac Church and the interment will immediately follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, 4111 Pennsylvania Ave, Suitland, Maryland, 20746.
A memorial trust fund has been established in Steve’s honor. Contributions should be written to the Corporal Stephen H. Bunker Memorial Trust Fund and mailed to the following address:
Corporal Stephen H. Bunker Memorial Trust Fund
PO Box 6265
Waldorf, MD, 20603
1 comment:
My deepest regards and hearfelt apologies go out to the all the familes affected by this tragedy.
Post a Comment