Steve Subichin

Steve Subichin, age 98, passed away on March 14th, 2024, at home, after a long and fruitful life.

Steve was born on November 28th, 1925 to parents Mike (Milan) Subichin and Dusanka (Tatalovich) in Akron, Ohio. He grew up during the Great Depression and spent a brief period living in Yugoslavia with his grandparents.

He returned to the United States for the remainder of his childhood. In 1938, he raced in Akron’s Soap Box Derby. He attended and graduated from Hower Trade School. He also completed a work-study program with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.

On March 23rd, 1944, Steve was drafted into the US Army. He served as a rifleman in the 395th Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division. He was stationed temporarily in England and then was deployed to the Allied Front. He was wounded in action during an attack on a fortified enemy position along the Siegfried Line on December 15th, 1944. He was a Purple Heart recipient, earned the Combat Infantry Badge, and was awarded a Bronze Star for valor. He often remembered so many young men who did not make it home, especially his Lieutenant.

After WWII, Steve was educated on the GI Bill. He became a certified watchmaker. Afterwards, he again worked for Goodyear. His duties included tread stenciling, drafting, and doing calculations for researchers. In 1955, he married the love of his life, Vivian Nada Steich. 

Steve was then hired by RCA to work at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station where they tested and studied the dynamics of rocketry as part of Operation Paperclip.  He had security clearance and worked in many areas such as telemetry radio. While there, he knew Wernher Von Braun among many others.

Afterwards, he returned to Akron where he worked for B.F. Goodrich. While there, Steve worked on the Polaris submarine-launched ballistic missile and the photoreconnaissance system of the U-2 aircraft. He was especially proud of working on the development of the Mercury spacesuit.

During the many years that followed, Steve worked for Goodyear Aerospace, General Tire, Kenner Toy, and Helmac. Then in 1976, he joined Akro-Mils, a subdivision of Myers Industries, as a project engineer. He worked in plastic engineering including molds, product development, and special projects. He was grateful to Mr. Louis Myers and Mr. Stephen Myers and retired in 1995.

Steve had many hobbies and enjoyed fishing, painting, sculpture, and photography. He loved cameras, and even when they were no longer in style, always loved Polaroid.

The family wishes to express special thanks to neighbor, Joe Sophio. Joe helped immeasurably in assisting John and Steve in their time of need, anytime day or night.

He is survived by his sons, John and Steven Subichin (Joan Hyden-Subichin); grandsons, Dr. Stephen Subichin and Dr. Michael Subichin (Dr. Katherine Kutney Subichin); and great-grandchildren, Stella, Vera and Samuel Subichin.

Steve was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Vivian (1999), and his sister, Sylvia Machaskee (2018).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation, www.garysinisefoundation.org,  or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.st.jude.org.

Family will receive visitors at Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., Fairlawn, OH 44333, on FRIDAY March 22nd, 2024 from 5:00-8:00 PM. Funeral Services will take place at Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel on SATURDAY, March 23Rd at 11:00 AM with burial immediately following at Rose Hill Burial Park.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N Miller Road  Akron, OH  44333.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.