A plaque on a large piece of rock states the years Steven L. Krueger was born, when he died, and how he lived— “Forever in Ocean Beach”.
“We lost Steve four years ago, and to this day people are still remembering him,” said Jeffrey Krueger, his older brother speaking at a dedication ceremony Saturday.
October 11, 2021, Steve Krueger was making his UPS deliveries in Santee, a job he did for years. He was killed when the pilot of a small plane lost consciousness and crashed into his delivery truck. Two homes were also destroyed. Krueger’s unexpected death devastated those who loved him.
“I spoke with him the night before the accident and he was actually doing me a favor and taking out the trash. That was the kind of guy he was,” said Wendy Adelstein. She first met Steve17 years ago when she rented an apartment from him. He was a landlord who quickly became a beloved friend.
M.G. Perez
M.G. Perez
Wendy Adelstein, holds a bouquet of flowers and a cup of mocha, Saturday, honoring her late friend, Steven Krueger, Ocean Beach, Calif., October 11, 2025.
Within a day of his death Wendy started organizing a plan to build a memorial to her friend. It’s taken almost four years to get to the day of dedication. Companies donated the materials and labor, friends and family raised money through a Go Fund Me campaign, and the City of San Diego gave approval for the land use along the bike path.
“Every morning before he went to work in Santee as a UPS driver he would stop at Val’s Coffee Corner and get his mocha,” Adelstein said. That’s why she brought a fresh cup of his favorite drink to Saturday’s memorial.
“Today he’s able to have it one last time with a great view of OB. Thank you Val’s for the free mocha, and Steve this one’s for you,” she said cup in hand.
M.G.. Perez
M.G.. Perez
Family and friends took a moment to touch the new granite memorial in a sign of support, after Saturday’s ceremony, Ocean Beach, Calif., October 11, 2025.
“50 years from now people will come by jogging or on the bike path and they won’t know Steve Krueger. But, they’ll be able to Google him. So, really he’ll never be forgotten,” his older brother, Jeffrey, said.