Stephen Kubick, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on October 8, 2017, after a lengthy illness. Steve was a man of integrity who valued his fellow man above himself. He lived to serve others, from his family, friends, and employees, to any stranger who crossed his path.

Steve served his country for 26 years in the United States Air Force. Enlisting right out of high school, he worked with MIT and Lincoln Laboratories at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts, helping to develop the NIKE and the Minuteman missile programs. His military experience also involved work with electronics, radar, and communications. After 16 years of service as a non-commissioned officer, he was selected for Officer Training School and became a missileer at Malmstrom AFB, where he served 10 years before retiring as a highly decorated captain.

Steve recognized the value of education for everyone. During his military service, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from Park College in Parkville, Missouri. After receiving his undergraduate degree, Steve completed coursework toward his Masters of Business Administration.

Steve was involved in the Credit Union movement from its earliest days, serving on boards and developing programs for those in need. In his post-military career, he worked at Riverview Federal Credit Union, Cicosta Federal Credit Union, and finally 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union, where he served as President-CEO for over a decade. During that time, he initiated a financial counseling program to educate all credit union members. This program was designed to ensure that members’ financial needs were met while allowing them to maintain their dignity during financial hardship. Steve was also a member of the World Council of Credit Unions, working to spread the credit union movement by connecting with individuals from Africa and Asia.

In 1999, Steve felt a need to remember young servicemen deployed during the holidays, thus Operation Happy Holidays was born. Over the years, it has expanded to include not only Malmstrom Airmen, but also Army and Air National Guardsmen and Army reserve members from across the state of Montana.

In support of the local and state community, Steve served as president of the Portage Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation. As president, he was one of several dedicated individuals who were instrumental in spearheading efforts to raise funds to build the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center for the Bicentennial Celebration. He was instrumental in the placement of the Sacajawea statue outside the new federal courthouse, and he served on the board of Glacier National Park.

Steve served as president of the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce and director of the Retirees Activities Office at Malmstrom Air Force Base. He was a member of the board of directors of the Big Sky Chapter of the American Red Cross and a volunteer with Explorer and Cub Scouts.  Even after his tenure as Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee, Steve could be found cooking beans and serving burgers at various Malmstrom and Guard family picnics.

Steve is survived by his wife of 60 years, Penelope, their four children: Martina (David) Harman, Liz (Lorrin) Palagi, Stephen (Rhonda) Kubick, and Christopher (Sharon) Kubick, eight grandchildren, three great-grandsons, and one younger brother, Francis (Dianne) Kubick of St. Clair, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his brother Joseph Kubick and his sister Florence Colna, both of Port Carbon, PA.

Viewing will be Friday from 4:00-8:00 PM at Croxford Funeral Home. Funeral will be at Saturday at 10:00 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Black Eagle. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Operation Happy Holidays (c/o 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union – PO Box 5002 – Great Falls, MT 59403-5002).

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