Stephen Lynn Alspach

Stephen Lynn Alspach died on June 6, 2022, at his home, surrounded by his husband, Terry Ivey, and his son, Chris Alspach. Steve’s life was, like everyone else’s, unique; it featured a great mix of pain, sadness, self-acceptance, joy, love, and wonder. Born on July 18, 1948, to LaDonna Lucille Hendricks Engle Alspach and Robert Corwin Alspach in Springfield, Ohio, he grew up throughout Ohio, often moving every few years as his father was continually transferred by his employer. After attending college in St. Louis, Missouri, he met Judy Mitchell in Nashville, Tennessee, whom he married in 1970, and shortly thereafter they moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked as a copywriter at Montgomery Wards for eight years. In 1979, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and began working for Rich’s (now Macy’s), starting as a copywriter and retiring after thirty years with the company as Senior Fashion Copy Director. In 1999, after experiencing decades of internal pain, Steve accepted his true self, one consequence of which was the dissolution of his marriage to Judy. But another consequence of Steve’s self-acceptance was his marriage to Terry Ivey, a relationship that brought him exceptional happiness and a new zest for life. But Steve’s life cannot be reduced to just a few paragraphs, and it encompassed more than just a work and relationship history. His was more robust and broader and complex and deeper than that. His life was one in which he championed for equality, for understanding, for compassion, for open-mindedness, for acceptance, for kindness, for having options, and for love. He was articulate, creative, meticulous, and smart. He was a proud father. He was a loving husband. He had friends throughout the country. He was loved by many and will be missed. Steve is survived by his husband of 23 years, Terry Ivey; his son and daughter-in-law, Chris Alspach and Erica Garcia, of Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Terry’s two daughters and son-in-laws, Miranda and Mike Hull of Newnan, Georgia, and their children, Jacqueline and Julianna, and Tara and Jason Ralls of Roswell, Georgia, and their children, Riley and Ryan. Predeceasing Steve in death are both of his parents; his step-mother, Olive May Pickett Alspach; and his step-brother, Doyle Eugene Engle. No funeral services are planned. In lieu of flowers, please spend the money on getting a colonoscopy and on the things, experiences, and people that bring enjoyment to your life.