Chief Petty Officer Brian J. Stein, U.S. Navy (retired), 59, of Schnecksville, died unexpectedly March 21, 2021, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.

He and his wife, Kathleen C. (Scanlan) Stein, would have celebrated 35 years of marriage on May 23.

Born Feb. 16, 1962, in Allentown, he was the son of Dale J. Stein of Allentown and the late Judith E. (Peters) Stein.

He was a software service engineer at Varian Medical Systems since 2008.

Before that, he worked at BAE Systems contracted by the National Security Agency for eight years.

He entered the Navy in August 1980. After graduating A School, his first duty station was the USS America, where he completed three deployments, numerous NATO cruises and many at sea pilot flight qualifications.

Completing his sea duty assignment, he was assigned to the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, where he met and wed his beautiful wife and where their first child, Brittany, was born.

Following duty in Yorktown, the Stein family was stationed at Mayport, Fla., where his next duty assignment was aboard the USS Yosemite.

While serving on the Yosemite, he earned his enlisted surface warfare specialist pin.

To end his remarkable tour in Mayport, he and his wife (well, mostly his wife) gave birth to their son Zachary.

The Stein family was then transferred to beautiful Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

During this tour, their daughter, Alexandra, was born in the big pink hospital on the hill.

While in Hawaii, with six years remaining in the Navy, he decided that he needed a new skill set, as not many prospective civilian employers needed weapon technicians.

He chose the data processing rating, packed up his bags, and transferred to Dahlgren, Va., to work as the security officer at the training center. His career took another turn when he transferred to the Office of Naval Intelligence.

In the following year, the Navy again changed his rating to information systems technician.

He served through three wars/conflicts during his enlistment - the Cold War, Desert Storm and Operation Southern Watch.

He thoroughly enjoyed his Navy career and the five rates he wore on his sleeve.

Having served 20 years, he retired from the U.S. Navy with the rank of chief petty officer and moved to Severn, Md., where the family resided for eight years, to enjoy his civilian life, and where they welcomed their youngest daughter, Rylee.

He and his wife also dealt with the biggest challenge any family can face, the death of their daughter Lexi, who lost her battle with leukemia. They came back to the Lehigh Valley and bought a home in Schnecksville, where he, his wife, daughter Rylee, two pugs named Pearl and Pippa, and two cats, Peppermint and Poncho (who was his favorite, even though he would never admit it.)

His greatest pride in his entire life were his children and he never missed a moment to brag about them.

He had just begun his greatest role of Pappy to granddaughter Lucille in August, who shares a birthday with Lexi.

He was determined to have “Pappy” be her first word and would say it repeatedly every time he saw her. He was an avid member of the Peloton community and would often spend his Saturday’s taking long endurance rides.

He was training for his 60 mile Grand Canyon of Pa. excursion he was going to take in May with his son, cousin, and son-in-law.

He loved to golf, even though he occasionally had the “yips” when it came to chipping.

He was a die hard Philadelphia Eagles fan (Fly Eagles, Fly), and was so happy to finally see his team win a Super Bowl in 2017.

He loved to dance no matter where he was.

He loved to spend his weekends working on and admiring his yard, which he took great pride in.

He always looked forward to his annual men’s trip to Black Lake, N.Y. to fish and camp. His newest passion in the most recent years was taking care of the stray cats of “The Ville.”

In addition to his loving wife and father, he is survived by children Brittany M. Shipman and her husband, Corey, of Allentown, Zachary S. Stein and his companion, Angela M. DelGrosso, of Bethlehem, Rylee K. Stein at home; granddaughter Lucille A. Shipman; cousin/brother Eric S. Bloom of Albrightsville; sisters-in-law Mary Motolese, Patty McNamara and Michelle Scanlan; brothers-in-law Nick Motolese, Brian Scanlan, Michael Scanlan, Jon McNamara, John Scanlan; goddaughter Katie Motolese; many beloved nieces and nephews; siblings Cheryll Kosar and her husband, Daniel, and Dale J. and Scott D. Stein.

He was predeceased by daughter, Alexandra “Lexi” C. Stein; in-laws Roger and Mary Frances Scanlan; sister-in-law Jodi A. Scanlan; nephew, Michael B. McNamara; and brother-in-law Roger F. Scanlan.

Expressions of sympathy may be made by heintzelmancares.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Rylee Stein for her college fund c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.

Arrangements made by Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Schnecksville.