More About Stephen
(More Than You Wanted to Know About Stephen Durbin)
The Durbin Clan, or "Turbin" as a variation, most likely hail from Dorset,
England when William the Conqueror granted land for help in the Battle
of Hastings in 1066 AD. Stephen's Maternal Family name hails from the
Borderlands of Scotland. As for blood, there is strong German blood from
both sides of the family.
Stephen was a Software/Control Systems Engineer
for most of his years of employment. The plan was to retire early and
manage investments full time. The plan was destroyed when a recurring
ruptured disk permanently damaged nerve roots and the spinal cord and
Steve will never be able to work again. Stephen has been a Born Again Christian since
1985, is married to his second wife and has one son. Stephen is also working
on several books he hopes to publish in the future.
Stephen was born in Battle Creek Michigan, USA, in 1964 and attended St. Phillips
Elementary School. He was much dismayed when he learned it was time to knock
the original brick building down as it is a sign that he is getting old. This
is the same school his parents and paternal grandparents attended.
In 1976 Stephen's family moved to Cucamonga, California (later becoming Rancho
Cucamonga) and Stephen graduated from Alta Loma High School. Stephen then
spent four years serving in the United States Air Force as an
AN/TPS-43 Radar
Technician with the 607 TCTS. During this time Stephen was married to his
first wife (too young).
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| 607TCTS | TPS43 | The famous nightshift log | Squadron Patch |
| Back in California: In 1987 Stephen took a brief job as a field technician for Kronos and then began working for Everett/Charles Test Equipment as a test equipment programmer. I won't go into the detail of a resume here but a resume is, of course, available to anyone interested (see below). Stephen's son, Caleb, was born during this time and he wouldn't trade him for the world! |  |
 | Move to Flagstaff:
After a time of running
SCD Technologies
Stephen
moved to Flagstaff, Arizona to work at W. L. Gore & Associates as a controls Engineer
and took up some
new hobbies (in Flagstaff you have to take up astronomy! It is the first city in
the world to have a Dark Sky ordinance.) During this 13 years Stephen was divorced
of his first wife and found true love in his second.
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| Change in Career Direction:
In 2004 Stephen took a leap of faith and risk to work for a small
start-up company, Machine Solutions, Inc.
as the Senior Software Engineer. This was very rewarding and I
was able to advance my knowledge and skills which culminated in a
machine-vision controlled
radio-opaque marker swager
for producing catheters.
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| Current Status:
Steve and Marnie went to a Full-Time RV lifestyle in 2006 Sep. in order try it out
in preparation for early retirement. For more information on that
check out our RV pages.
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Stephen's Resume:
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Who is Stephen?
Okay, that is what I did for a living but we are not defined by
what we do. That is not who I am.
Stephen has been a Library Page, Technician, Engineer and an Investor.
Though they all may not be mentioned in the hobbies I have enjoyed
fishing with grandpa, 4-wheeling with friends, drinking (alot!),
video games, Dungeons & Dragons, collecting medievel weapons, shooting,
dancing (seriously, there was alcohol involved), fishing with buddies
(Tom, Randy, Laura and Fritz... you know who you are!), hiking, camping,
Amateur Astronomy, and hunting (Arizona).
I was a meat hunter not trophy. Our freezer was always full of meat.
An Elk would last us two years so I liked to hunt for Cow (female)
Elk and put in for hunts that gave the best chance for the draw
(lottery) and success, usually muzzleloader. My hunting partner
(Dave) and I were always at odds over this as he wanted a trophy.
Stephen was an avid body builder for many years and advocates a healthy
lifestyle. Contrary to many opinions this does not mean a vegitarian
diet, I can think of nothing that is less healthy. Everything in
moderation! Computer Programming and Webpage Design were hobbies as well
as a way to make a living.
Stephen enjoyed competitive shooting and even competed in a local (Flagstaff)
1,000 yard match with an M1903, as issued, prone, with open sites! Most
can't imagine what this might be like but consider that the target is
designed to be the size of the front site. A dot. I owe my performance
to my coach, Paul Seyler, who called my shots before we shot for score.
I finished 11 points behind the winner and he was shooting a scoped
Palma rifle worth several of my rifles, my truck and me (on a good day) all put together.
Steve (I answer to anything and have probably been called worse) is a fan of
JRR Tolkien (Lord of the Rings), J. K. Rowling (Harry Potter), Robert E. Howard
(Conan) and a host of other Fantasy
writers. I like these movies and I like most animated movies. The books
are always better. I love to read. I have
read the Bible countless times and still try to read a paragraph every day.
I have read the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha (really!), the Quran,
The Book of Mormon and the Egyptian Book of the Dead (specifically, The
Scroll of Ani). I want to know what others believe without trusting
in the rumors. Did you know that polygamy is forbidden for Mormons but
drinking alcohol is not? I don't think most Mormons know that either.
Stephen is a licensed Amatuer Radio operator (HAM) and loves music. I am a huge
Rush fan along with Led Zep. and other classic rock. I have learned to love
smooth jazz and have always loved cassical. I am an accomplished amateur
guitarist. I have played drums, organ, piano and guitar. I give credit to
Alex Lifeson, Jimmy Page (though they don't know it) and all the friends with whom I
have played (especially Jerry) with credit for learning to play.
I have had four "crushes" in my life. A crush is defined as a temporary
infatuation but I can assure you that I still feel the same way for every
one of you (you will never know who you are). It is not lust but love.
I also love my family and friends though these are different kinds of love.
It is a shame we only have one word for it. The Greeks had several.
However, I recognize the
difference between a crush and true love. I truely love my wife Marnie,
and always will. God gives us great capacity for love. It is okay to love!
Stephen has been a born-again Christian since 1985. God never intended
for there to be many denominations. We are all one church! He said so!
Jesus was and is the Son of God. He is the Christ that the Jews wait for.
He died on the cross and took on the sins of each and every one of us.
You need only to believe and accept his sacrifice to have eternal life
instead of eternal torment. I have spent part of my life in torment and
I can assure you that you don't want any part of eternal torment! It is
not enough to just believe, accept Jesus' sacrifice right now! Eternity
is a heartbeat away...
If interested see Stephen's Christian Testimony page.
Stephen lived a full life so when I am gone, be glad, few have had a fuller life!
Stephen's Hobbies Past and Present:
Amateur Radio (HAM)
Antique Tractors & Engines
Backyard Astronomy
Body Building
Flyfishing
Hiking
Hunting & Shooting
Investing!
Jeeping
Physics (specifically light & energy)
Playing Guitar (rock)
Winemaking
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