Stephen I. Lingenfelter of Lilburn, Ga., passed away unexpectedly Saturday, December 15, 2007. He was 65.

He is survived by his wife, Alice Lingenfelter of Lilburn, Ga.

He is also survived by daughters, Leigh Westergren (Matt), of Chesterton, Krystal Irwin (Chris), of Mooresville, N.C; and his son, Robby, also of Lilburn, Ga.; a step-sister, Dorothy Jo Hardwick; and step-brother, George Craddock, both of Austin, Texas; five grandchildren, Zach, Ben and Sam Westergren and Coral and Peyton Irwin; sons-in-law, Chris Irwin and Matt Westergren.

Between 1969 and 2002 he served as a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers attorney in positions as Assistant Division Counsel, Missouri River and South Pacific Divisions; District Counsel, San Francisco District; and Division Counsel, South Atlantic Division. In 1983 Steve was promoted to the position of Division Counsel for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ South Atlantic Division (SAD) in Atlanta, Ga. In 2002, after serving the federal government for 33 years and when most would have retired, Steve continued his practice at Smith, Currie & Hancock LLP, in Atlanta, during which he continued to grow professionally as he worked in teams at the firm on projects designed to alleviate the human suffering caused by the war in Iraq, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and other natural and man-made disasters.

Among his awards and recognition he was a participant in the President’s Commission on Executive Exchange; he was also a recipient of Vice President Al Gore’s National Performance Review Hammer Award, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chief Counsel’s Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Award, the Bert Pettinato Pride in Public Service Award, and the Department of the Army’s Achievement Medal for Civilian Service and Superior Civilian Service Awards.

Yet despite this important work, he still found the time to play Santa Claus during Christmas time for underprivileged children. He always found the good in others and always found humor in himself to brighten the days of everyone around him. Steve was the model of a vigorous attitude towards life. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend and he will be missed dearly.

A memorial service was held Monday, Dec. 17,, in the chapel of A. S. Turner & Sons in Atlanta, Ga.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. Written condolences may be sent to alice.lingenfelter@gmail.com

 or westyz5@yahoo.com

Posted 1/3/2008