Stephen R. Birch, M.D., the eldest of four sons of Larry and Roberta Birch, was born August 10, 1947 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. While Steve was an orthopedic surgical resident in Jacksonville, Florida, flight became his passion. Steve was 31 when he and his father learned to fly. Steve logged over 4,000 hours, primarily flying his Beechcraft Bonanza A-36 N2207L.

In 1997 Steve began aerobatic flying. Steve participated in aerobatic competitions, but he most enjoyed the challenge of perfecting aerobatic sequence maneuvers. Steve left the world April 19, 2009 doing what he loved, aerobatic flying. He perished off the coast of his home in Santa Barbara, California at the controls of his Extra 300L N101PK.

Steve will forever be missed by his wife Alice and sons Charles, R. Scott and Christopher, his extended family, friends, colleagues and patients. The world was fortunate to have known Steve Birch. Steve was an adventurer whose skill, perseverance, compassion, humility and service to humanity were extraordinary traits exemplifying ?€?the right stuff?€? that every pilot and physician should seek to emulate.

Stephen R. Birch, M.D. is honored as an Air and Space Leader on the National Aviation and Space Exploration Wall of Honor by his friend John G. Busby who forever wishes him ?€?Godspeed Steve Birch.?€?