Stephen Robert Ripberger, 66, passed away December 18, 2025. Steve was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Jack and Lorraine (Kuhlman).  His childhood was full of creek walks, hikes in the woods and playing sockball in the street with his siblings and neighborhood friends. As a knothole pitcher, he threw a hard fastball that didn't always hit the strike zone, putting fear in opposing batters! Steve was an overall excellent athlete – he was tall and gangly which certainly helped him on the basketball court playing for Bishop Brossart High School. He made time on the court a difficult challenge for opponents and officials. He and his first wife Kim (McLaughlin) raised two daughters, Stephanie and Shannon.
Steve was not an expressive person, but his "love language" was building! He built anaddition to their home so that his mother could live with the family. He added a custom-made swing set and club house in the backyard overlooking the basketball court he installed for the girls and their friends. He coached both daughters in a variety of sports and as they got older, he enjoyed taking them boating on Lake Cumberland.

The Lake became his relaxation destination and over the course of several years, he built a lake house, which he referred to as "the shack."It was anything but that! As a construction project manager, his jobs required him to go out of state, spending time in the mid-west and South Dakota, before landing a job in Memphis, Tennessee where he met the love of his life, wife Michelle. When Steve married Michelle in 2018, he gained three bonus daughters: Andra, Hailey and Maren who he cherished as his own. Steve loved traveling, spending time together and doing projects with Michelle.Together they traveled more than 400,000 miles across the country to spend time with their family, friends and daughters, making countless trips to Lake Cumberland.

They held "Christmas in July" celebrations for family and friends at the lake house and filledthe yard with holiday inflatables and hung strands of lights. Retirement allowed Steve to spend more time on the golf course and in front of the tv watching sports. Although he stayed in Tennessee, he didn't stop bleeding blue and always cheered on UK.  He also got to fulfill his dream, and he and Michelle designed and built an addition to the lake house to make their retirement home - with the help of family. Retirement also gave their loving dog Oakley all the time and treats he could ever need – he never left his side. Steve was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law Cindy Ripberger. Surviving him are his wife, Michelle; daughters Stephanie (Lisa Grinkemeyer); ShannonTewes (Chris); stepdaughters Andra Stroeder (Evan); Hailey Guzzo; Maren Guzzo; grandchildren Charlie Tewes, Quinn Tewes and Vincent Tewes; brothers John and Chris (Tracy); sister Mary Ann Lorenzen (Joe); and a multitude of nieces, nephews.  He will be remembered for his strength, steady presence, and unwavering love for his family and friends.

Steve can be honored with memorial contributions to either: Memphis Union Mission (one of his projects) by phone 901-526-8403, or on website Memphisunionmission.org. St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN by phone at 800-805-5856; or made online at stjude.org/donate
The family will be holding a private service to celebrate Steve's life.