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Steve Mcdonald
09/05/1955 — 04/26/2025
From Kennewick, WA | Born in Bismarck, ND
Steve Mcdonald
A beloved brother and uncle, Stephen J McDonald passed away on April 26, 2025, at the age of 69. Born on September 5,1955 in Bismarck, ND. He lived life to its fullest.
Steve graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1973 and received WDA awards in football and basketball in both his junior and senior years. Steve graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1977 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He started working right out of school for Bechtel in North Dakota and was transferred here in 1982 when Bechtel took over management at Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS) Unit No. 2 . As management transitioned at the plant, he joined the staff of Energy Northwest and continued work until his retirement in 2017. While there, he served as a mentor to the younger engineers and did his part to further their technical development.
Steve loved hunting and fishing, and every year he traveled back to North Dakota in the summer to visit his parents and to spend endless hours with brother Mick on the water catching walleye. We were always excited for his return with frozen fish in preparation for his annual fish fry. And when he needed more, he would venture up to his friends Alan and Jocelyn’s lake house for more fishing and relaxation.
When Steve bought his first boat, the first thing he did was teach his nieces (and all their friends) how to water ski on the Snake River. That too became a summer ritual. And since uncle Steve was such a great athlete (North Dakota state champions in basketball), he had to teach his niece Kelly how to make those three-point shots and how to use her left hand. And through the years he continued to support the nieces and nephews by following basketball, football, volleyball, soccer, baseball and Lacrosse.
He is survived by his brothers Gregory (Jean) and Michael (Cathy), and nieces Stacey Seamands (Dusty), Kelly Mackey (Ryan), Erin Christensen and nephews Scott (Keli) and Andy (Tara). Steve was preceded in death by his parents Adrian and Kathleen McDonald.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Parkinson Foundation or the American Cancer Society.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Having a hard time knowing where to start. In 6th grade Steve moved into my neighborhood. It wasn’t hard to become a friend with him. All we had to do was take our baseball gloves out and go to Roosevelt School playground. So many great memories just playing catch with the football for hours and hours. Steve kept pretty upbeat even with all his health issues and now he’s at peace. Tough to see a cherished friend pass but will all be reunited again. Rest in peace Steve.
I can still see Steve running down the sidelines as a wide receiver in a game against Dickinson Trinity catching a perfect spiral from my brother Denis. TD!!!
I am glad he had such a full and love filled life.
Greetings to brother Greg. I hope you’re ’still crazy after all these years.’
With warmest thoughts,
Jacque Montplaisir
So saddened to hear of Steve’s passing
Such a gentle man with a wonderful smile
Fondly
Mary OKeefe Field
Mike, Greg and families,
So very sorry to hear of the passing of your brother Steve.
Our parents were great friends back in the day.
Take care and God bless.
This news hits me hard. Steve and I spent many hours together hunting waterfowl in the prairie potholes of North Dakota. I was proud to call Steve my friend. He was the absolute definition of a gentle soul. I have missed my time together with him in our younger years terribly. My sincere condolences to his Family and Friends. Please know I am thinking of you in this time of grief. May God hold you close.
I had the pleasure of being mentored by Steve. Along the way, I got to know him pretty well. He was hands down one of the best humanity has to offer from how great of a listener he was to how supportive he was in my career (he taught me how to use the NEC when I was studying for the PE exam) to his dry sense of humor. Every year since Steve retired, Maria and I would wish him the happiest of birthdays. He was kind and had a sweet soul. I shall not forget the gift he was in my life. Miss you beyond words, Steve!
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the McDonald family. Steve was an excellent athlete at St Mary’s and I have lots of memories of watching him play basketball. I remember him with a quiet smile on his face. He will be missed.
It was sad to hear of Steve’s passing. I remember him as a very friendly classmate & a great athlete. My sincere sympathy for his family. May he rest in peace. This thought has always given me comfort – Remember, his last breath on Earth was followed by his first breath in Heaven
Steve just a great person. He was at times quiet and unassuming but could get loud and crazy. He has left is mark in love and caring for all those his life touched! Galen Nagel
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Steve Mcdonald