Stephen Bird

Profile Updated: February 20, 2023
Presently residing: Davidson, NC USA
Occupation: Retired
Homepage: sjbird1964@bellsouth.net
Spouse/Partner: Julia
Children: 2 stepchildren, Tom and Melinda. 4 Granddaughters, The three oldest just graduated. The youngest one More…is still in college.
Attending 50th-52nd Reunion in 2022?

No

Birthplace:

Macomb, Ill

Married? How long?

34 years 6/18/88

Grandchildren:

twins; Grace and Elizabeth (23) in Philadelphia
Caroline (20), in Dunmore, Pa.
Elizabeth (22) in Atlanta

What have you been doing since 1970?

Left CL in 1970 to attend college in Flint, Mi, at General Motors Institute (now Kettering University). Summer/ Christmas work at TC industries in CL. Coop'd at Buick Motor in Flint and worked in manufacturing there until Mar. 1977, Moved to Clark Equipment in Mar 1977 into Product Engineering, moved by them to Statesville, NC as Liason Eng in Jan 1979 and did that job until Nov 1989. Married in June 1988 to Julia Howell Nolen with two children; Tom and Melinda. Reentered Engineering in Nov 1989( after it moved to Statesville). Clark sold to Dana corp in 1996. Promoted to Chief Engineer in the early 2003. Closed Stateville in 2005 and moved from Mooresville, NC to Mt Pleasant, SC early 2006. Accepted Manager of NA Field Service in Jan 2008 in Statesville, NC. Statesville office was closed in 2010. I've been extended on special assignment to help with Engineering support with the closing of our last USA Plant and its move to China. Retired Dec 2015. Now moving back to NC to Davidson, NC. in March 2019.

School Story:

Earned my Pilots License after crashing an airplane at CL (now LIH airport) at age 17.
In October 2014 got the chance to ride in and fly a 1943 model P-51C Mustang fighter plane. Then we did acrobatics! Amazing you can do a loop at 1/2 power with no problem while pulling 4Gs going in and coming out!
Last October I drove a large steam engine, the 611. This past July I got to ride in a B29 bomber, the bucket list is coming right along!
Last April rode in a B-29 (Fifi) in the navigators seat!
This past summer took a steamboat cruise up the Mississippi!

Where else have you lived?

Flint, Mi; South Bend, Ind; Statesville, NC; Mooresville, NC, Mt. Pleasant, SC, Davidson, NC. Now have moved back to Davidson, NC.

Still have family around Crystal Lake area?

David Bird (brother) in Woodstock, Both parents, Ken (deceased 1989) and Helen (deceased 2007) are gone.
Cindy Stazzone is in Chandler, Az.
Kim Felbab is in the Phoenix area (Fountain Hills).
Kevin is deceased as of February 2015. We spread his ashes in the San Diego/ Coronado area, a place he loved.
Rebecca & (Eric) Hanson are in Butternut Wisconsin

How often do you get back to Crystal Lake?

Last time was 2015

Would you ever move back to Crystal Lake?

No

Do you still see/talk to/hang out with any classmates? Who?

Dale and Paula Berlin

Unfilled "Bucket List" items?

Too many to list- travel. See bucket list above. Last year I did a two week tour of Colorado riding all the historic trains. These included Pike Peak, Durango, Cumbres, Royal Gorge, Leadville and many more. The travel between trains was just as spectacular while crossing 6 mountain passes. Also got to drive anew 2017 Corvette Grand Sport on VIR racetrack at speed this past spring. Currently own a 2013 Corvette 427 60th anniversary.

What are your favorite memories of high school?

Weren't we the first class with off campus study hall passses?

High points of your life since high school?

My Career at General Motors (7 yrs) and Clark/ Dana (38 years). Was Carolinas autocross champion in 1982. Married Julia and built several homes over the years. Have traveled extensively in the US and internationally.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Corvettes, travel, history/ reading, steam ships/ trains

Travel much?

fair amount of business travel (including international), family travel, one vacation/ yr

Favorite places to go?

Charleston, SC; Davidson, NC; St. Martin Island, England

Places you want to go?

4 corners out West. Somewhat made this during the train tour.

Cool things you've done?

Visited many undergound mines around the world, driven very large offroad logging trucks on Vancouver Island. Spent one week on US navy ship with step son Tom from Hong Kong to Japan with carrier fleet. Sailed, Flown planes, raced cars and travel extensively. Enjoy married life and grandchildren.
Since last reunion, traveled to China and S Korea in 2011/ 2012. Rode the maglev train into Shanghai @ 300MPH. Flew a P-51C dual control fighter plane in Oct. 2014. Did the Richard Petty ride at 165mph at Charlotte.

Swam in the ocean?

Yes

Watched the sunrise with someone?

Julia many times. And in western Australia indian ocean.

Sat out in the rain?

Yes

Any gray hair yet?

Race with loosing it.

What would we be surprised to know about you?

Made friends with and received annual Christmas cards from the last survivor of the Titanic, Melvina Dean. She has since died recently.

Bought my first Corvette one year out of CLCHS after my freshman year at GMI. By the time I graduated I was on my second, a 70 LT-1. I presently own my 10th one, a 2013 427 convertible, 60th anniversary. I am a lifetime member of NCCC, National Council Corvette Clubs. Also member of the Buick Club of America and the GS club of America.

Favorite Foods?

Ham, Chocolate

Favorite Drink(s)?

Jack and Coke, beer, Root Beer, coke

Favorite Sports?

Nascar, Sports Car racing, NFL (Panthers)

Favorite Music?

Easy Listening/ pop

Danced your heart out?

Yes

How do you relax?

Reading, Build model ships of my design, Corvettes, TV

How do you see yourself in 10 years?

Retired, traveling, doing my hobbies, grandchildren.

Any words of wisdom?

Don't wait to retire too long- it is great! Once you do you will wonder when you had time to work! Ha!

Stephen's Latest Interactions

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Stephen Bird posted a message.
Nov
08
Nov 08, 2024 at 1:05 PM

Happy Birthday Paula! So glad we were able to connect this summer. Enjoyed the meals and the discussions. Say hi to Dale!

Stephen Bird has a birthday today.
Mar
31
Mar 31, 2024 at 3:33 AM
Stephen Bird posted a message. New comment added.
Jan
22
Jan 22, 2024 at 10:36 AM

Posted on: Jan 21, 2024 at 5:52 PM

Hi Dana-
Been thinking about you and your Dads Avanti? Do you remember what year it was and the color? I lived in South Bend for several years and toured the factory several times with the local Corvette club ( I’ve owed 10 of those over the last 50 yrs). During Covid I started building models again and AMT makes a great Avanti model and I’ve now built 3 of them.
I see you lived in Bolingbrook. Dale and Paula Berlin live there ( he’s retired from the railroad). My brother David stilllives in Woodstock.
Hope to hear from you.
Steve Bird

Stephen Bird posted a message.
Nov 01, 2023 at 11:10 AM

Hi Paula-
Have a wonderful birthday, and many more!

Stephen Bird posted a message.
Aug 01, 2023 at 12:02 PM

Hey Dale!
Happy Birthday! Hope you and Paula are doing well and enjoying retirement. Hope the family is also doing well.
Julia and I are good. Quiet this year, but next have a wedding and a graduation for granddaughters coming up.
Take care, Steve and Julia

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Mar 31, 2023 at 3:33 AM
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Mar 31, 2021 at 3:33 AM
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Mar 31, 2020 at 3:36 AM
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Mar 31, 2019 at 3:33 AM
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Aug 10, 2017 at 8:42 AM
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May 26, 2015 at 5:49 PM

Posted on: May 26, 2015 at 3:05 PM

Stephen Bird has a birthday today.
Mar 31, 2015 at 3:34 AM
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Posted: May 26, 2015 at 3:24 PM




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