Steven Albert Kudla

Steven Albert Kudla, 87, of Tucson, Arizona died at his home on May 23, 2017 of end stage kidney disease. Steve died peacefully at home. He endured almost seven years of dialysis. Steve was born in Flint, Michigan on March 16, 1930 to Julius and Katherine Kudla. He had one brother, Walter Kudla. He attended Michigan State, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science and in 1956 as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Steve is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Beverly Kudla; his son, Anthony (Tony); his daughters, Patricia, Julia and Laura; and many extended family. Steve spent most of his career working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, first in Arizona as an area vet visiting Indian reservations and as a Federal Meat Inspector. This work moved the family to California, Oregon and Idaho, where Steve finished the most physical part of his career, working to eradicate disease in livestock. Their family grown, Steve and Bev moved to Iowa, where Steve worked again as an inspector of labs making animal vaccines. Upon retiring from the government, Steve found work as a consultant to veterinary biologics firms. Upon retiring again and moving to Phoenix and then Tucson, Steve found more work to keep him busy at Banfield Veterinary Hospital. His work was not what defined Steve. He loved to laugh and gave wonderful hugs. He was sentimental and romantic. He loved fishing, writing, watching old black and white movies, music and shopping for antiques and collectables, with Bev. Steve loved to travel and held a special love for the Pacific Northwest and the Pacific Ocean. Steve had a great love for animals and doted on his Great Danes and Siamese cats. Memorial contributions may be made in Steve’s name to the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona at azkidney.org.