Steven Paul Gritts, “Grittsy,” of Chula Vista, passed away on October 5, 2015 at the age of 46. Steve was born in Merced, California on March 15, 1969 to parents Joy and Phyllis Gritts. Steve has two older brothers Kris & Kurt. The family moved to Chula Vista in 1970. He graduated from Hilltop High School in 1987 with honors and a list of accolades to his name. Not only was he a Lifetime CSF member, he was among the top 5% of students in his class and received a letter of commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Organization.  He also participated and lettered in four sports and was class valedictorian. 

Along with four classmates, Steve started the infamous Fishing Club. As one of the five Priests of Poseidon, Steve was responsible for organizing a really good time for hundreds of Hilltop High students, as well as pranks that included tire theft, bedroom door relocation, sign repositioning projects, and unauthorized house painting. Following a particularly successful Fishing Club event, the fire pits at Coronado Island’s North Beach were moved closer to the road to allow for improved police supervision.  … It’s quite possible that some FC members even learned to fish during this maiden year of the society.

Steve attended UC Santa Barbara from 1987-1991 where he explored college life, made more friends and played college baseball for the “Gauchos.” He loved Santa Barbara and he and his roommates would often play host to visiting Hilltop alum for weekend getaways.  While in college, he assisted in the growth of Karl Storz Imaging, a medical device company where he worked for 17 years.

Steve was invited to be a player and coach for the Schwaz Tigers and Stockerau Cubs baseball teams in Austria. He also coached softball for the Stockerau Ragdolls.  Overall, he spent three baseball/softball seasons from 1996-1999 in Austria. While abroad, Steve taught girls’ softball for Innsbruck College and coached the Austrian National Softball Team—the team went to the European Championship in 1999 in Antwerp, Belgium. He loved his time in Austria and traveling all over Europe.

Steve moved back to Chula Vista in 2011. During this time, he helped coach baseball and football at Hilltop High School along with his brother Kurt Gritts.

Steve enjoyed many thing is his life, including volunteering at the San Diego Zoo. He volunteered 500 hours between 2012-2015 and favored his time with the orangutans.



Steve will be remembered for his wide grin, quick wit, generous heart, and great sense of humor. This was a guy that could make anyone smile. He touched many people with his kindness and will be missed by his family and friends.  … We lost a good one. 

RIP Steve ... until we meet again