My heart was saddened by hearing of Steve's passing. A flood of good memories of Dozo and I from the Navy days surfaced immediately. We both flew P-3's in sister squadrons in Hawaii in '75-'78, Steve in VP-4 and I in VP-17. Having met through mutual friends we became instant buddies and spent our last year in Hawaii as roomies in a cool beach house right on the water near the North Shore on Oahu. Our place became a very popular hangout for our fellow pilots, and we had some memorable times there. I can still picture Steve and I sitting in the backyard, sipping some cool ones, Dozo with his big pipe in his mouth, watching the sunset, playing endless frisbee on the beach, talking about flying, maybe soon to get that airline career when we left Hawaii. He always had that sparkle in his eyes, sometimes cluing you in that he had pranked you again. His laugh, his jokes, but his sincerity and honest friendship as well. We only actually got to fly together occasionally the we'd rent a Citabria or a civilian version T-34 from the flying club at our Navy base in Hawaii. Steve introduced me to some beautiful canyons on Oahu, all from below canyon walls and treetops - wish I had some of those videos. Dozo was a super pilot and, more importantly, a super individual. And we both did have those airline careers , his at AA and mine at SWA. Interestingly, his Dad Ralph, and my father, Harold Miller had pilot careers at AA during the same era, having flown together many times through the years. Steve, you will be missed . You are now soaring with the eagles, and probably teaching them some new maneuvers!

My condolences to Steve's family. Gone too early, as the world needs more characters like "Dozo." I was a shipmate of Steve's for many years in VP-65 and very much enjoyed the VP-4 story of him flying through the water plume of the Soviet missile! Steve was a classic Naval Aviator. A skilled aviator, cool under fire, able to leap tall buildings on liberty, and just a wonderful character! One fond memory flying with Steve as we were transiting cross country back to Point Mugu, he cancelled our flight plan with the controller, descended and proceeded to fly past his parents ranch at low altitude to "rock the wings" and say "hi!" He obviously had planned the route so we could do that and carried it out in fine Naval Aviation form! Tail winds and clear skies Shipmate, you will be missed.

I was saddened to receive an email about Steve's passing. He had joined VP-4 several months prior to my arrival. Although we didn't hang out together on a regular basis, we were friends and welcomed each other's company. It took me a bit to realize who the notice was about as I never called him Steve. To me and my peers he was always Dozo. I remember him for his bushy mustache, deep voice, a Sherlock Holmes style pipe he always had with him and his calm, unflappable manner. He was a real pleasure to fly with and set a great example to us junior pilots always remaining calm and in charge regardless of what was going on around him. I remember one event in particular that I want to share. I believe the year was 1975. The Russians had posted a notice advising all ships and aircraft to stay out of a mile square area in the Pacific Ocean, somewhere north of Midway Island. They planned to launch an (unarmed) ICBM and land it in the middle of that square mile of ocean. They were running some tests with the launch and had several of their research vessels around the perimeter of that space in the ocean. So what does the Navy do? We sent several airplanes into that area to see if we could learn anything from their test. I was aboard one aircraft, near the area's perimeter. I was standing in an area in the cockpit right behind the flying pilots and had a plexiglass board and grease pencils to assist me as I was acting as the airborne air traffic control for the handful of planes we had in the area to keep everyone from running into each other. I had stacked our aircraft in a circling pattern and Dozo was flying the plane at the bottom of the stack and would be first on scene. We received word that the ICBM had launched and had an ETA (estimated time of arrival). I told Dozo to adjust his circle pattern so as to arrive as soon as possible at the impact point after the missile had arrived. We were counting down the time to missile arrival. I had lost track of Dozo's circling, but had cleared him into the area at his own discretion. It was a clear day and I could see the entire target area surrounded by Russian research ships. Suddenly there was impact as the ICBM arrived. A high plume of water resulted and to my surprise, here came Dozo who flew right through the solid plume of water. He was so close, my concern was that his engines might stall out from the ingestion of solid water and I held my breath. But here came Dozo, flying out the other side. He couldn't have been any closer to the arrival point without arriving at the same time as the ICBM. I always imagined him in the seat, flying with his signature pipe between his teeth, as calm as a summer breakfast on the patio. As a result of his professional skill in getting his aircraft as close as he did, his crew was able to attain valuable intelligence we didn't previously possess. I'll never forget Dozo.

I was Steve's commanding officer (CO) in VP-65. One day I noticed him wearing the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG), a very junior rank. I said, Steve, you can't be a LTJG. He said, all I want to do is fly. If people think I'm a LTJG, they won't ask me to do anything responsible on the ground because a junior officer is not too smart. I just laughed but totally understood what he was saying. After my change of command, turning over the squadron to the next CO, Steve approached me, raising both arms so I could see the gold strips on his dress blue uniform. Sure enough, he had promoted himself to his correct rank of Lieutenant Commander (LCDR). I was impressed and said congratulations. His response, was "sir, I did this just for you." I will never forget that moment.

Dozo was my 2P in VP-4, Crew 4. Good friend, fine pilot, fun to be around, and will be missed. Farewell shipmate.

Steve was my 2p in VP-4, a great guy, fine pilot, and friend, He will be missed, Farewell shipmate.

Well Dozo, whoever penned the lines: “He was a purveyor of fine scotch, cigars, and bad jokes,” in your obit got it exactly right. And looking back over the years, we shared many adventures flying those mighty Orions first with the Skinny Dragons, and then with VP-65. Making landfalls at ports of call ranging from U-Tapao, Thailand to NAS Brunswick, Maine, and looking at a lot of water in-between. So long old friend, and may you enjoy blue skies and fair winds as you make that final flight West.

Lt. Dozier made being in VP-4 a happy thing. Thank you Sir.

Farewell shipmate. You will be missed!!!!

So sorry for your loss Gary. Praying for you and your family.Cousin of Laureen in Mo.

I knew Steve from the mid 1970's. We were in Navy Patrol Squadron 4 at NAS Barbers Point in Hawaii. We got to fly on the same crew for awhile. Steve was the copilot and I was the third pilot on the crew. He was a great aviator and he was fun to be around. He had a great laugh. I got to go on a cross country flight once with Steve to Texas. I remember having the chance to go horseback riding with him. I ran across Steve at the VP-4 reunion at Las Vegas in 2003.It was good to catch up on our lives since the 70's. Fair Winds and Following Seas Steve ( If I could have an email address, I have a couple of pictures of Steve from 1975. I can send them to you).

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.