Terry K. Steinacker's Obituary
Terry Karl Steinacker passed away peacefully at home on June 24, 2025.
Terry was born August 15, 1951 in Provo, Utah to Karl Albert and Carol Bateman Steinacker. The oldest of five, Terry spent his early years in Ogden, Utah and Idaho Falls, Idaho before the family settled in the Sugarhouse neighborhood of Salt Lake City, Utah. Terry graduated from Highland High School in 1969 and began attending Brigham Young University.
From 1970 to 1972, Terry took a break from his studies and served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Terry loved teaching the Gospel to the people of Brazil, and he never passed up the opportunity to keep up his Portuguese language skills, even with his children—none of whom speak Portuguese (much to his disappointment).
In 1974, Terry was introduced to Debbie (Debora) Kiser, who had moved to Provo from Yakima, Washington. It didn’t take long for Terry to propose, and he and Debbie were married and sealed for eternity in the Logan Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 19, 1974.
Terry and Debbie lived in Provo while Terry finished his studies. He graduated from BYU with a degree in computer science in 1976 (at a time when computers still filled entire buildings) and then got a job at the university. Terry and Debbie also welcomed three children, Anne Marie in 1975, Kevin in 1977, and Andrea in 1978. Drawn by the fresh, clean air of the Pacific Northwest, the family moved to Bellevue, Washington in 1979, where a fourth child, Shannon, joined the family in 1980.
Terry spent his career working with computers, spending his early years with Darigold and Northern Life before joining the payroll department at Boeing in 1985. Terry worked for Boeing for more than 30 years. He enjoyed solving the technical problems that arose, but most of all he enjoyed his coworkers. He never balked at the commute, which he did from Bellevue, Kent, Lacey, DuPont, Whidbey Island, and finally Lakewood before retiring.
Terry’s children remember a dad who loved to play with them. They don’t know anyone who loved a good bad (sometimes very bad) Dad joke more than their dad, especially since he rarely made it to the punchline without laughing so hard he could barely finish the joke. Terry was supportive and proud of all of his children’s endeavors.
Terry loved science fiction and fantasy, especially the Lord of the Rings and Star Trek, and he shared that love with his wife and children, including serving as the Dungeon Master for family Dungeons & Dragons games when the children were young. The family picked up D&D again in recent years, with the DM mantle being passed to his son, and Terry always choosing to play a red Dragonborn.
Terry loved his seven grandchildren, who remember him as a silly grandpa who also knew when to be serious from time to time. Terry loved to play board and video games with them and continue the Dad joke tradition.
Terry continued to serve others as a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life.
Terry is celebrated by his wife, Debbie, his four (plus two) children, Anne Marie Steinacker, Kevin & Anda Steinacker, Andrea Steinacker, and Shannon & Matt Lewin, and seven grandchildren: Benjamin, Neal, Derek, Carsten, Analiese, Elyssa, and Caleb. He is also celebrated by his siblings and their spouses, Jeff & Rae Lee Steinacker, Sandy & Norman Weiss, John & Gina Steinacker, and Jan & David Western, and many other family and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 19 at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10018 Farwest Dr SW, Lakewood, WA 98498.
What’s your fondest memory of Terry?
What’s a lesson you learned from Terry?
Share a story where Terry's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Terry you’ll never forget.
How did Terry make you smile?