Stephen Richard Okkonen

Aug 30, 1953 -

Apr 6, 2023

Stephen Okkonen, 69, of Kasilof, Alaska, died at home on Kalifonsky Beach on April 6, 2023.

Steve was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Aug. 30, 1953. He attended school in Sparta, Mich., where he excelled in long distance running on the track and cross-country teams. He was salutatorian of his high school graduating class.

Steve earned a Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering at the University of Michigan and shared a love of the school's sports with his father, a fellow alum.

After graduating from University of Michigan in 1976, Steve rode his bicycle to Minnesota, sold the bike, bought an airplane ticket to Alaska, and enrolled in the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) education program. Joann Jackinsky, who was in the same program, saw Steve on campus, and told a friend "I just saw the man I'm going to marry." In 1978, the two married and, together, taught in several Alaska villages.

In 1993, Steve earned a Ph.D. in physical oceanography at UAF. He held a postdoctoral position at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi before returning to UAF to work as a research associate professor. His many oceanographic research projects include the 1999 Science Ice Expedition project aboard the nuclear submarine USS Hawkbill; studying the Chukchi Sea in early winter of 2010 aboard the icebreaker USCG Healy; multiple voyages aboard the research ships R/V Alpha Helix and R/V Sikuliaq; and working on the sea ice near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. For the last 18 years he studied bowhead whales and their food sources near Utqiavik, Alaska.

Steve and Joann lived on Kalifonsky Beach in Kasilof, where they raised their son Eero and daughter Kaija, and commercial fished the family's historic setnet sites.

Steve was known for his curiosity, creativity, intellect and quirky sense of humor. His educational background made him a strong science communicator, able to to translate complex information to any level audience. Steve loved to laugh and family members, colleagues and friends enjoyed spending time with him. He will be deeply missed by all.

Steve was preceded in death by his mother, Monica Okkonen. He is survived by his father, Oliver Okkonen of Grand Haven, Mich.; wife, Joann Jackinsky; son, Eero Okkonen; and daughter, Kaija Okkonen, all of Kasilof; sisters, Diana Snouffer, Laura Okkonen (Greg Latsch) and Gail Dall'Olmo (Dan); brothers, John Okkonen (Jamie) and Jeff Okkonen; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A farewell celebration for Steve will be held on May 7, 2023, from 1-4 p.m., at the Spring Lake Country Club in Spring Lake, Mich.

On May 20, 2023, there will be a goodbye party at the beach house.

Donations can be made to a scholarship account set up at the First National Bank of Alaska under the name "Steve Okkonen Fund for Fledgling Ocean Scientists."