Steven Jonal Ginter

Steven Jonal Ginter, age 78, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, May 30, 2026, at home in Simi Valley, California, after a short illness, with his wife and daughter at his side. Steve was a respected author, publisher, and a devoted historian of naval aviation who was best known as the founder of Ginter Books. Publishing his long-running Naval Fighters Series—and subsequently U.S. Air Force Legends Series—he documented military aircraft with meticulous research, clear writing, and a collector’s eye.

Steve was born on July 23rd, 1947, in North Hollywood, California. He attended Canoga Park High School, where he became both a badminton champion and a letterman. There he also met Robin Carr, whom he married in 1968. He would later attend Cal State Northridge, earning a business degree. He then served four years in the Navy, in aviation assignments and training to be a pilot. During this time, he and Robin became the parents of both Shaun and Rebecca Ginter.

Following his years in the Navy, Steve worked in retail, becoming a Regional Vice President for Thrifty Drug stores (yes, the ones with the ice cream counters!). Maintaining his lifelong interest in aviation, he founded Ginter Books as a side business and hobby in 1980 and began producing monographs on Navy and Air Force aircraft for modelers, historians, and hobbyists.

Steve will always be renowned as he has devoted his career to preserving and sharing the history of military aviation through books, articles, and publishing. Colleagues and readers will remember him for his deep subject matter knowledge, attention to detail, and willingness to help other enthusiasts and researchers. His work became a valued resource for many modelers, historians, and veterans alike.

Across 46 years, he published 126 Naval and 30 Air Force titles. He wrote many of these monographs, supplemented by a cadre of respected authors – and gave a helping hand to others. Each monograph was then produced and distributed by Steve. In recognition of his work, the Navy awarded him the prestigious Admiral Arthur W. Radford Award for excellence in Naval Aviation History and Literature in May of 2007. Before his passing, Steve published one last monograph, which will be released soon.

For many years, he also owned and operated Sentai Distributors, a wholesale hobby distribution business which he ran with fellow hobby enthusiasts. In addition to supplying hobby supplies to consumers around the world, Sentai supplied props for several films.

He was an active member of the American Aviation Historical Society and the Tailhook Association as well as an online group, Scanmasters, comprised of more than 30 aviation photographers, authors, and enthusiasts sharing a common interest in aviation.

Steve was predeceased by his parents, Raymond and Bernice Ginter. He is survived by his wife, Robin Ginter (with whom he marked 58 years of marriage), children, Rebecca Ginter-Ruhe and Shaun Ginter; and grandchildren, Evelyn Ruhe, Cole Ginter, Blake Ginter; and great-granddaughter, Madeline.

He and his family had a love of the beach and Kauai Island. As such, Steve’s ashes will be scattered at sea, and a celebration of his life will be announced at a later date when arrangements are finalized. Condolences or remembrances may be sent to Steve’s family or posted to collectors and aviation-history forums where friends have gathered to honor his memory and legacy. In lieu of flowers, we encourage friends to honor Steve’s legacy by donating to the pet charity and rescue, “Best Friends Animal Society”, whom he fostered kittens from on many occasions and where he adopted several of his fluffy children. He was a caring man who had many interests and a huge heart for which we all love him deeply. As a family, we knew him for so many simple things that most of us enjoy, like movies (the drive-in back in the day), music, scenic drives & family outings, trips to used book stores, puzzling, and much more! What truly stands out is his love of cats, his family, and a sharp sense of humor. We would love and encourage both friends and others to share their own memories of him, possibly a photo and his interests, so we may all share in those precious memories. This would be a wonderful tribute to Steve’s memory, allowing us to remember and share who he was as a person to us all. We believe this would be the best and kindest tribute to his extraordinary life and ours with him.