Dr. Stephen F. Paige, 64, born in Terre Haute, Indiana on October 11, 1946, passed away June 12, 2011 in Ocala, Florida after a long illness. He was born in Terre Haute, Ind., on Oct. 11, 1946. He grew up with two brothers, Warner and Robert, and a sister, Jane. His mother, Evelyn, is still living in Terre Haute. His wife, Linda, whom he married in 1968, and sons Stephen Jr. and Sandy, Stephen's wife, and Jeffrey survive Dr. Paige. Steve passed away on June 12, 2011 at home in Ocala, Fla. Steve fought long and hard with an autoimmune disease that led to a liver transplant at the Mayo Hospital in Rochester, Minn. in 2009.

Steve graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1968 with Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics and then served as a T-38 flight instructor for five years at Webb AFB at Big Spring, Texas. He obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1977. In 1979, he was part of the first graduating class at the University of Florida College of Dentistry Department of Orthodontics. After graduation, he moved to Ocala, Fla. and opened his private practice and also was a part time Clinical Professor in Orthodontics at University of Florida.

Professionally, Steve was most proud of being a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and twice was published in the Journal of Orthodontics. His article on "the Begg Lingual Technique" lead to his being invited to give a lecture at a World Orthodontic Conference in Florence, Italy. He also gave courses on this technique in England, Italy, France, Kuwait City, Canada, Australia, Venezuela and the USA. He was also proud of his membership in American and Florida Dental and Orthodontic Associations. For 20 years he served on the Ocala Airport Board to advise the City Council. Steve served in the reserves and was stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla. and spent one summer at the Air Force Academy. He also served as Liaison Officer for the Air Force Academy.

When he wasn't in the office, Steve was volunteering with the Kiwanis Club or tinkering with his airplane, a two-seater Long-EZ. "Some people are out on the golf course on Saturday afternoons," said Paige's wife, Linda. "Steve was out flying in his airplane."

A public service took place Friday, June 17th at the First United Methodist Church in Ocala, Fla. and he was buried at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado on July 15, 2011. His family much appreciated all the letters from USAFA graduates and a special thanks to those who attended the service. Contributions may be made through the AOG in Steve's name to the USAFA Endowment Fund toward the AFA fund.      (His brother Warner).

To leave a tribute and/or view pictures from Steve's life click here. Click here to read the Ocala.com article about Steve.