Henry R. Stevens "Hank" 4/10/1944 - 6/11/2025

Hank and his twin brother Bert were born in occupied Amsterdam Holland to Henry F. and Martha Stevens. Their parents chose to immigrate to the USA in 1953 to provide more opportunities for Hank and Bert. They lived in Salt Lake City then moved to the Santa Cruz area and settled in Felton, CA. The family moved to South Lake Tahoe where Hank was on the high school ski and tennis teams and graduated high school from South Lake Tahoe High. He and Bert both attended Sierra College in Rocklin, CA. Hank enlisted in the Navy and served four years on the USS Enterprise as an Aviation Electronics Technician. He traveled to Southeast Asia while serving on the USS Enterprise Aircraft Carrier. Upon the end of his enlistment he attended Sacramento State College and graduated with a major in Biology. Hank married Patty Carver and had an instant family adopting her sons Kevin and Michael. They soon welcomed Eric. Hank coached the boys little league and soccer teams and was president of Elk Grove Little League. Hank accepted a job as a Water Quality Technician for the City of Sacramento and ultimately for the County of Sacramento. He worked his way up to Supervisor and then Water Quality Laboratory Manager, managing a staff of specialists. Hank retired with 37 years of public service. He created an educational poster identifying microorganisms that was used in national educational institutions. The original hangs outside the laboratory that Hank helped design. In 1985, Hank married Chris Simmons and added her son Sean to the new family. Hank lost his Dad in 1983. Hank's mother, Martha, lived with them for 4 years before her passing in 1989. Hank enjoyed various sports such as baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, bicycle riding and was an active member of the National Ski Patrol at Iron Mountain Ski Area and at Donner Ski Ranch Patrol for 35 years. He also loved hiking and photography. Several of his photos were published in the Auburn Journal and he won an award in an area photo contest sponsored by the Elk Grove Citizen. For many years, Hank went on annual backpacking trips hiking the eastern side of the Sierras with friends. He recorded these adventures in a daily journal and with vivid photographs. He also enjoyed bird watching and loved sharing his knowledge with others. During the most recent national and statewide elections Hank volunteered as an Election Inspector in Placer County. Hank and Chris happily celebrated 40 years of marriage and devotion this year. He will be missed by his family; Chris, Eric and Tracy, grandchildren: Christopher, Nolan, Sheldon and Carson, and Michael and family and stepson Sean. Nephew Robbie Stevens and his wife Jasmine kept in touch over the years. He'll also be missed by many friends and newly found relatives in Holland. The family would like to thank, with all our hearts, Dr. Lisa Law at Kaiser Roseville and all the infusion staff that always welcomed Hank with a smile throughout his over 2 years of treatments. Remembrances can be made in Hank's name to:Cornell LAB of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road Ithaca, New York 14850Cornell Lab of Ornithology: donate