Steve Wolgemuth, age 49, went home to be with the Lord on October 9, 2008. His courageous journey battling acute endocarditis can be found at www.CaringBridge.org/visit/stephenwolgemuth.

“A human life is a story told by God…What a beautiful story Steve’s life told.”

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on October 18 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 5500 Alessandro Blvd. in Riverside with Pastor Brian Park of Bridges Community Church officiating.

Steve was born in Lynwood, California to Ezra and Evelyn Wolgemuth on January 18, 1959. He grew up in a very musical and devout family in Whittier, California, that sang and played together in their home church and across the United States. His father was Music Minister of Calvary Baptist Church and Superintendent of the Whittier Christian Schools. Steve attended the Whittier Christian Schools and was active in choir, orchestra and band.

Steve graduated from Whittier Christian High School in 1977 where he enjoyed participating in band, choir, musicals, wrestling and football. He was the first Drum Major of the Whittier Christian High School band. Steve also participated in traveling church choirs, ensembles and played violin in the Rio Hondo Youth Symphony. Steve received a music scholarship and attended Biola University as a tuba major. He studied with professional tubists, Jim Self and Stephen Klein. It was at Biola in the Symphonic Winds where Steve met his wife, Debbie. They married on December 13, 1980 at Calvary Baptist Church. Steve graduated from Biola University with a BA in Music in December 1981.

Steve’s career included teaching bands, choirs and math at Bakersfield Christian Life Schools, working at the Lakewood Oil Service (owned by his stepfather Delbert Bronson), and 23 years at the LA Refinery for the Union Oil/Tosco/ConocoPhillips Corporations. He enjoyed working at the refinery as a Shift Supervisor, on a refinery construction project, and developing computer programs to help improve efficiency at the refinery.

Steve and Debbie moved to the Inland Empire in 1988 to purchase their first home. They have been active in several churches and in the arts community over the past 20 years. Steve had a lovely tenor voice, enjoyed singing duets with Debbie, singing in church choirs, and performing in musicals. Steve played the violin, bass trombone and tuba in orchestras at Victoria Community Church, Magnolia Avenue Baptist Church, Immanuel Baptist Church, The Riverside Winds, The Citrus Wind Ensemble and The Rancho Belago Symphony. Steve and Debbie founded Riverside Youth Theatre in 2000. Steve served with excellence as Music Director, arranger of the background music tracks, and ran the sound system for each musical. His impact in the Inland Empire arts community will be greatly missed!

Steve is preceded in death by his father, Ezra Wolgemuth and stepfather, Delbert Bronson.

Steve is survived by loving family – Debbie his wife of 27 years, Children: Aaron Ezra and Hannah Joyce Wolgemuth, Mother: Evelyn Bronson, Sister: Joyce and husband, Brad Braley, Stepsiblings: Terri Bronson, Tony Bronson, Karen and husband, Curtis Curtiss.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations made to www.RiversideYouthTheatre.org, or CaringBridge.

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on October 18 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 5500 Alessandro Blvd. in Riverside with Pastor Brian Park of Bridges Community Church officiating.

Directions from Orange County:
91 Freeway to Riverside
Exit Central Avenue, Turn Right
Central Avenue turns into Alessandro Blvd.
Church is on the Left
First Baptist Church, 5500 Alessandro Blvd., Riverside

Directions from San Bernardino:
215 / 91 Freeway South
Exit Central Avenue, Turn Left
Central Avenue turns into Alessandro Blvd.
Church is on the Left
First Baptist Church, 5500 Alessandro Blvd., Riverside

Directions from South Riverside County:
215 Freeway North
Exit Alessandro Blvd., Turn Left
Church is on the Right
First Baptist Church, 5500 Alessandro Blvd., Riverside