80, of Pearl City, Hawaii, passed away September 17, 2022. He spent his last days doing what he loved, watching baseball, his favorite team the New York Yankees, football and spending time with family. Born in Hilo on November 30, 1941, he attended Waiakea Kai Elementary and Intermediate, Hilo Intermediate and graduated from Hilo High School in 1959. He played baseball, basketball, football, and track. He also played the saxophone in the school band in both Hilo Intermediate and Hilo High Schools. Robert obtained his bachelor's degree from Church College of Hawaii (now BYU Hawaii) in 1964 and furthered his education, earning a masters degree in Education from the University of Hawaii, Manoa.Robert worked for Smythe Moving Company, The Church College of Hawaii (mail room clerk and campus security), the Al Harrington Show in Waikiki (showroom manager), and the State of Hawaii Department of Education. His lengthy service and dedication in the Department of Education began at Ewa Elementary and Intermediate School, and continued to Waialua High and Intermediate, Aliamanu Intermediate, and Radford High School, his "home away from home", where he started as a Teacher and Assistant football coach, eventually working his way up to Head Coach, Counselor, Vice-Principal, and then Principal (1995-2008). He also coached basketball and track and field.
Being committed to giving his students a better chance in life, he instigated countless upgrades to the Radford campus and curriculum, and is credited for founding the Radford Transition Center. He was particularly proud of the Military Youth Advisory Counsel and the AVID Program that was developed under his leadership.
His constant drive to achieve all that he was capable of doing led him to accolades such as the 2006 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award and the 2007 MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year Award where he was one of the three finalist. In March of 2017, The Radford Athletic Complex was named after him. Robert, being the selfless person, slow to accepting praise and recognition, would only accept the honor once the coaches who came before him were recognized. Upon retiring after 44 years, Robert continued to help students and educators alike until his final days.
Robert is survived by his wife Lien, daughters, Julie "Lahi" (Jacob) Mamea, Ann "Pumehana" Stevens, Lillian "Pi'ikea" Stevens (Billy Wolters), Nicole Stevens (Mars Jones), and Lien "Kala'i" Stevens, and son James Robert "J.R." Stevens; siblings, Nora Lee (Robert) Kuali'i, Kawehi "Butch" Stevens-Nahiwa, Mollie Dean (Henry) Wolthuis, Lauren "Li'i" Stevens-Nahiwa, and hanai brother, Richard Stevens.
Funeral service will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Mililani Stake Center 95-1039 Meheula Parkway on Saturday, October 15, 2022. Visitation 9-11:30am and Service at 12 noon. Zoom link available - ID: 979 1801 3446, Passcode: radford. Inurnment will be on a later date.
