It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Stevo Dobrijevic, age 94—a beloved family member, respected engineer, devoted member of the Serbian community, and generous friend. Born in Bosansko Grahovo, Stevo built a life defined by perseverance, education, hard work, and service. After losing his eldest brother Perisa, and being separated from family during WW II, his youth was marked by early maturity and immense responsibility, taking on hard jobs in order to help provide for his family.
He studied at the University of Sarajevo and MIT before establishing a distinguished career as a civil and environmental engineer and project manager in the United States, where he was reunited with his family, and where he met and married his wife Spomenka of 59 years in 1967.
Stevo was committed to groundbreaking environmental work, and he has been credited with pumping out the first gallon of polluted groundwater in Silicon Valley. He addressed technical concerns from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding groundwater monitoring and remediation in Mountain View, California. His work included projects involving Intel and Raytheon, and expert witness testimony for cases involving US Steel and other companies. His expertise, dedication, and commitment to protecting the environment earned him great respect.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Stevo was known for his generosity. He helped many Serbian relatives and friends by offering guidance, encouragement, assistance, and opportunities. His kindness touched countless lives, and by example, he instilled the importance of service to others in those who knew him.
His Serbian heritage and Orthodox faith remained central to his life. He was an active member of St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church where he served on the board and was instrumental in the design and build of the church. Stevo valued the faith, culture, and fellowship of the Serbian community, and passed down the importance of heritage and culture.
He enjoyed traveling, skiing, swimming, ping-pong, soccer and playing chess (and particularly computer chess with himself and his daughter Tanja teaming up against the machine). Family nights playing Tablic were always treasured, particularly when his wife Spomenka or daughter Ana would win. Movie nights watching vintage home-made family movies on 8mm reels will forever be cherished.
Stevo will be remembered for his intelligence, determination, generosity, and character. His greatest legacy lives on through the family, friends, and community he valued, as well as the many people he helped; and the children and grandchildren he cherished and greatly loved.
He is preceded in death by his beloved daughter Ana, mother Djuka, father Milos, brother Perisa, sister Anka, sister Ljubinka, and sister Smilja and survived by his spouse Spomenka, daughter Tanja, grandchildren Lauren and Marco, son-in-law Bill, adored kumovi, relatives and friends.
He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. May his memory be eternal. Vječna mu pamjat.
Funeral Service for Stevo will take place Friday, September 18, 2026 at St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church located in Merrillville, IN at 10:00 A.M. Friends are invited to visit with Stevo’s family on Friday at Church from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service 10:00 A.M. At rest, Memory Lane Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those wishing to honor Stevo’s memory consider making a donation to St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church, a community that was an important part of his life.
