Steven Richard Golik

Steven Richard Golik (of Andover, KS), 64, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, and friend, entered eternal life in Heaven on Sunday, August 4, 2024. On July 28, 2024 Steve was tragically struck on his motorcycle by a driver who was arrested for DUI and hit-and-run. A week later, Steve sadly succumbed to his injuries and took his last breaths, surrounded by his loving family. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, August 12, 2024, at Central Christian Church (2900 N Rock Rd, Wichita, KS 67226). A private family burial will follow. Steve was born December 16, 1959, in Utica, New York, to Edwin and Georgia Ann Golik. He was raised in Decatur, IL, and Tiffin, OH, with three siblings (Pam, Kim, and Rich), whom he remained very close with throughout his life. Steve met his wife, Teresa, in 1977 in geometry class when they were 17 and 16. They were high school sweethearts and married on August 6, 1982. Together, they had three children (Ashley, Tara, and Aaron) who were his pride and joy and “biggest accomplishment in life.” Steve’s love for airplanes began with a ride in a Piper Cheyenne airplane with his father (N331PC, Papa Charlie) when he worked at the Seneca County Airport. He received his pilot’s license in 1979 at the age of 19 and took first place in the Buckeye Air Rally in 1980. Steve graduated from Columbian High School (Tiffin, OH) in 1978 and received a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Kent State University (Kent, OH) in 1984. Steve and Teresa moved to Wichita, KS, in 1985 for Steve to start his career in the aviation industry at Beech Aircraft. Steve was a loyal employee of the company for 36 years, retiring from Textron Aviation in 2021. Throughout his aviation career, he served as a Project Engineer and Designer for multiple military and commercial programs, including extensive work on the King Air, JPATS T-6A Texan II, Citation Longitude, and SkyCourier. He was an admired and respected boss and coworker by all who worked with him. Steve was an incredibly talented musician who played in a band in his younger years. He loved playing guitar, listening to music (especially progressive rock), and going to Rush, Dream Theater, and 70s & 80s rock concerts with his brother, wife, and kids. Steve was also an excellent carpenter and handyman. He could build, assemble, or fix anything he put his mind to. He often helped his kids with various house projects, ranging from building workbenches and installing pegboards to assembling built-in cabinets and focal walls, putting up fences, and so much more. Steve’s greatest joy was spending time with his family and dogs. He loved traveling with his family, riding motorcycles, making elaborate spreadsheets, and installing LED lights wherever he could. He also loved his country and was grateful to live in the USA. Steve was a man of integrity and strong morals. He was dependable, reliable, and always loyal to his family, friends, and coworkers. If you needed him, he was always there. Steve was his family’s provider, protector, and steady rock. He built a good life for his family. Steve will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. His memory will live on in our hearts and lives as we await seeing him again in Heaven. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Georgia Ann Golik, and granddaughter, Bridget Opliger. He was survived by his wife, Teresa (Albert) Golik of Andover; daughters, Ashley (Matt) Opliger, Tara (Michael) Steinberg, both of Wichita; son, Aaron (Alexandria) Golik of Wichita; sisters, Pam (Keith) Johnston of Decatur, IL, Kim (Ward) Whitmer of Tiffin, OH; brother, Rich (Beth) Golik of Avon, OH; grandchildren, Branton, Brenner, and Ryza, and many beloved nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, Steve expressed his desire for donations to be made in his memory to Bridget’s Cradles nonprofit, the ministry founded by his wife and daughter in memory of his granddaughter, Bridget. Donations can be sent to Bridget’s Cradles P.O. Box 316, Kechi, KS 67067, or online at www.bridgetscradles.com/donate. Please write Steve Golik Memorial Fund in your check memo line or in the memorial section when donating online. Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel. Share tributes, memories, and photos with Steve’s family using the Tribute Wall.