The Tedford Family

Family: Stephen and Kathryn Tedford

Station/Living: Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD

Branch: Navy

Rank: Rear Admiral

PSU Connection: Graduate

My husband, Steve, is a Penn State graduate, class of 1990 (graduated in Jan 1991) with a BS in Aerospace Engineering. We have been married for 23 years and have been blessed with two daughters Katelyn (22) and Caroline (20) who are also Penn Staters. Katelyn recently graduated in May 2023 with her BS in Forensic Science, and Caroline is currently a junior in the Nursing program at University Park.

The Navy has been very good to us throughout Steve’s 32 year career (and counting). We’ve been stationed in MD, HI, FL, CA and VA. Steve started his career as a pilot flying the P-3C Orion, is a graduate and former instructor at the United States Navy Test Pilot School, has held command at multiple levels including his current assignment as a Program Executive Officer for all Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons for the Navy and Marine Corps. Earlier in his career, while stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, HI, Steve and his crew were sent to the Persian Gulf to fly combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (2003). At this time, Katelyn was only 20 months old, and I was pregnant with Caroline. Steve’s Commanding and Executive Officers were really great and promised me they would get him home in time for Caroline’s birth, or they would drive me to the hospital personally. Fortunately, Steve made it home with 10 days to spare! This is but one example of the strong bonds created through our life of service.

Katelyn’s fondest memory is actually from this same time period while we were stationed in Hawaii. Prior to Steve’s 2003-2004 deployment to the Persian Gulf, he video recorded himself reading stories for Katelyn to watch while he was deployed. He also gave her one of his khaki covers to wear while he was gone. She wore “Daddy’s Hat” all the time!!! She really missed him very much and was so happy to have him home after that 7-month deployment!

Caroline’s favorite memory was surprising her dad at one of his Change of Command ceremonies in 2018. When it was time to have the National Anthem sung at the beginning of the ceremony, Caroline was introduced, taking her father and everyone on the stage by complete surprise! It was a Top Secret plan that was pulled off perfectly, causing many in the audience to cry (including Steve)!

Our family is very close. I think that is due in part because we are a military family. We value our time together very much and we know we are there for each other no matter what life brings our way. It’s been difficult at times, but the girls and I support Steve because he loves his job and he loves serving his country. WE ARE, PENN STATE!