Beloved father, son, brother, uncle and friend Steven Dolginoff passed away on July 6 at the age of 70.
Born in Kansas City on March 11, 1955, to Wesley and Marna Dolginoff, Steve grew up with a spirit of adventure and deep sense of connection to the Jewish community. He especially enjoyed and looked forward to the family holiday traditions and weekly Shabbat dinners. As a proud Boy Scout, he had the extraordinary opportunity to travel the world with a Jewish scout troop from Pennsylvania. Beginning with the International Boy Scout Jamboree in Israel, they then traveled to Italy, France and England — experiences that shaped his love for food from all around the world.
Steve attended the University of Missouri (Mizzou), where he joined the AEPi fraternity and met the men who would become his lifelong brothers.
After Mizzou, Steve earned a degree in hotel and restaurant management and then began his professional life in St. Louis, working in restaurants and beginning what would become a lifelong love for preparing food. Eventually, he returned to his hometown of Kansas City, where he found his true calling in hospitality. Steve began working at the Muehlebach Hotel as the food and drink manager. As the food service manager at the Alameda Plaza Hotel (now the InterContinental) and later overseeing the kosher kitchen at Menorah Medical Center, Steve brought creativity and joy to every dish he touched. He was never happier than when in the kitchen and feeding others or looking through his vast collection of cookbooks for new recipes.
When his nieces Jamie and Becky were young, Steve made sure that they were able to go out for Halloween when their dad was unavailable. He always made sure he had plenty of snacks and treats on hand for when his great-nieces and nephews were visiting, and they never went home empty handed.
But of all his accomplishments, nothing brought him more joy than being a father. His daughter, Hannah, was the light of his life, his proudest role and his most treasured legacy.
Steven was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Marna. He leaves behind his cherished daughter, Hannah; his devoted sister, Donna Katz (Dr. Dennis); adoring nieces Jamie Katz (Brady Warshawsky) and Becky Klinkenborg (Joe); and great-nieces and nephews Jacoby and Weslyn Warshawsky and Alex, Maya and Olivia Klinkenborg, who will carry his memory with them always.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Diabetes Association or charity of one’s choice. Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.