It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of Cregg Steffler on Jan. 20, 2022. He was 62. Cregg leaves behind his wife Robyn, stepdaughter Mandy Liskey-Fox (husband Travis) and grandchildren Travis, Lily, and Emma. He is also survived by his mother Eloise Steffler, stepfather Don Steffler, brother Kurt Palmer, niece Sarah, younger brother Corey Steffler (wife Rebecca), niece Amanda, nephews Travis and Jonathan and two older brothers Kent and Kevin.
Cregg grew up in Ventura County, Calif. where he met Robyn in high school. While he and Robyn remained friends, they did not marry until much later. Cregg learned to play guitar in high school and it developed into a lifelong passion.
Cregg joined the United States Air Force in June 1981. He had many stateside assignments and served overseas in South Korea, Japan, Iraq and Turkey. He was so proud of his 25 years in the Air Force but also quite modest. He worked in meteorological and navigation systems on many airfields during his first 10 years of service. He then worked on systems of fighter jets for his remaining 15 years of service. He loved the F-16s. He loved our wonderful country and considered his service a calling.
Before Cregg retired from the Air Force, he became a Christian and began playing guitar and bass in church worship bands. He loved playing guitar, especially when it was praising God! He also enjoyed playing rock and roll music and loved Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Cregg and Robyn reconnected over a decade ago and in the fullness of time they married. They purchased a home outside of Creswell, Ore., and they both enjoyed the wildlife that visited them, especially the sweet deer families that shared their property. They owned several dogs who brought their wonderful and unique personalities into their everyday life. Cregg and Robyn had recently moved to Cottage Grove and were beginning a new chapter.
Cregg was an intelligent, warm, and caring man with a quirky sense of humor. Never very talkative, he hid his pain from everyone.
If you are a veteran who needs someone to talk to, please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255. There is a way out, there is hope. Please don’t let any more veterans die out there because they can’t talk about it. Don’t let Cregg’s death be in vain.
Arrangements by Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium in Cottage Grove.
