Stephen P. Aylward was born on August 14,1946 in St. Louis, MO. He passed suddenly on October 7, 2021.

Stephen is preceded in death by his parents Howard J. Aylward Sr. and Maud Gildehaus Aylward; and his sister Susan Gildehaus Aylward. He is survived by his sister Sally Dalrymple and her husband Jack and his brothers, Mark Aylward and his wife Gail, and Howard Aylward Jr. and his wife Dee.

He is fondly remembered by his nieces, Abigail Peche Aylward, Alison Aylward Hegde and her husband Jayanta, and Alexandra Aylward Sorensen and her husband Peter; nephews, Joe Aylward, Dan Aylward, Andy Dalrymple and his wife Caroline, and Fr. Matt Dalrymple; great nieces and nephews, Ben and Graham Dalrymple, Chloe Peche, Mark Peche, Pavi Hegde, Leela Gail Hegde, Sebastian Sorensen, and Sophia Sorensen.

Stephen graduated from St. Louis University High School and from Boston College. He was an honored legendary history teacher at St. Louis University High School. After retirement he became an award winning volunteer at the Missouri Botanical Garden with a plant subspecies officially named after him. He was an avid member of the National Railway Historical Society, St. Louis Chapter, and traveled almost exclusively by train.

He had a great gift for long lasting friendships, especially Susan Grow, Mary Granneman, Mary Lee McConaghy, Lawrence Barmann, and Jack Weigers. He will be missed by many more friends, former students, and neighbors.

A memorial service is to be arranged.

Here is an article published by St. Louis University High School highlighting the positive impacts Stephen made.