David F. Stephenson died December 24 in the home of his daughter, Heather Stephenson, in Lexington.
Born March 24, 1929, in Quincy, he was the son of Fenwick and Florena Stephenson. He graduated from Weymouth High School in 1946 and earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Northeastern University in Boston in 1951. He worked for General Electric from May 1, 1951, to July 1, 1992, contributing to the first nuclear-powered navy. This was a happy coincidence since he had often marveled at the navy ships being built at Quincy Yard, near his childhood home.
After exploring Europe in a convertible, he returned to meet the love of his life and future wife, Ruth Anne Sharpsteen, while organizing a trip to Tanglewood as a volunteer with the International Center in Albany, New York. They were married on May 15, 1965.
After his retirement, he enjoyed winters in Sarasota, Florida, and summers in Clifton Park, New York, where he had helped raise his family. Beyond the Red Sox and engineering, his intellectual curiosity was wide-ranging, and he shared his love of classical music, history, and language with friends and family.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his son Matthew Stephenson and his wife, Deanna, of Clifton Park; his daughter’s husband, Mark Kapij, of Lexington; grandchildren Olivia Stephenson, Aidan Stephenson, and Anya Stephenson Kapij; and his sister, Sylvia Benjaminsen, of Marlborough, her four children, and their families. His parents and younger brother, Richard Stephenson, predeceased him.
A memorial gathering and burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to The Community Hospice at The Community Hospice Foundation, 295 Valley View Boulevard, Rensselaer, NY 12144 or online at www.communityhospice.org or to Hospice of the North Shore and Greater Boston at 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923 or online at www.hns.org.