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Stephen Nordean Bischoff, age 74, passed on December 27, 2021 surrounded by family at Kaiser Hospital Moanalua. He was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota on September 25, 1947 to Charles and Amber Bischoff, but has called Honolulu his home for over 53 years. A University of Minnesota alumnus, Stephen joined the Army in 1969 and was stationed in Hawaii at Fort Shafter. There he met the love of his life Caroline Suling Lee whom he married on May 15, 1971. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2021.Stephen learned the value of hard work at a young age, working summers for his dad in Road Construction starting as a flagman, and was promoted to Road Construction foreman at Hawkinson Construction Company in Minnesota. Following college, he served in the US Army as a computer specialist. Later, he was a City & County of Honolulu Road Maintenance Supervisor of Streams and eventually promoted to Superintendent of outside Honolulu Yards. As superintendent, he oversaw 8 outlier yards and over 450 employees. After retiring from the City, Stephen pursued his interests as a small Business owner, author, and a congressional candidate.
Stephen was an active member of various community organizations, a dedicated volunteer for all three of his son's soccer and basketball teams, he was known fondly as "Coach Steve." A community volunteer, he served on the Kahala Neighborhood and Kahala Association boards, participated on various Republican committees, an AYSO Regional Commissioner, and hosted four Japanese students through Punahou School's study abroad program.
As a native Minnesotan, Stephen was an avid outdoorsman whose loved fishing, hunting, gardening, and traveling. An author, he could often be heard typing furiously at all hours of the day and night writing his poetry, novel and short stories. "Papa Steve" or "Pops" is remembered by all as a loving family man and free spirited friend whose greatest joy in life were his grandchildren. Always supportive, he looked forward to attending each dance, gymnastics, acting performances, school functions, and to weekly video calls with his grandchildren in Paris.
Stephen is survived by his wife Caroline Lee Bischoff; sons Aaron (Dawn), Ryan (Marie), and Kyle (Jordan); six grandchildren (Amanda, Samantha, Sophie, Edouard Bischoff, hanai granddaughters Caris Leong and Mikena Noland); two hanai daughters, Jodi Leong and Kelly Noland; siblings Mike Bischoff (Joann), Barbara Bullock, Amber (Honey) Goldstein, Nancy Stefanescu, and Pat Plass; brother-in-law James Lee Jr., and numerous nephews and nieces. Predeceased by parents Charles and Amber, and brothers George and Jay Bischoff.
The funeral service at the Diamond Head Memorial Chapel will be limited to immediate family, but all are welcome to view the funeral service via live-stream on Friday February 11, from 11 AM to noon (HST). The service will also available for replay online. It will be followed by a private inurnment with military honors at Diamond Head Cemetery.
A link to the virtual funeral service and other information concerning the family's celebration of Stephen's life can be found at: bit.ly/sbischoff
The family requests that attendees to please kindly sign into the virtual guest book available at the above mentioned link. Written messages of condolence may be sent to the family at: Bischoff Family, 1212 Nuuanu Ave #2409, Honolulu, HI 96817.
Arrangements Provided By: DIAMOND HEAD MORTUARY
