Obituary of Stephen J. Niles

Stephen J. Niles D.O. died Wednesday, December 28^th, 2022, in Melbourne, FL.

Dr. Niles (Steve) was born in Lansing, MI on July 12^th, 1954, the son of James E. and Jean Niles.

Steve enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1977, he left the Air Force briefly to attend medical school at Nova Southeastern University where he received his degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in 1988.

Steve reentered the Air Force as an officer and served for another 25 years. He practiced family medicine at numerous healthcare facilities throughout the Air Force and held multiple command roles. He was staff physician to the CENTCOM Commander headquartered at MacDill AFB in Tampa, FL. He spent a year in Washington DC where he attended National War College. He was Deputy Commander of the 45^th Medical Group at Patrick AFB, FL and Commander of the 20^th Medical Group at Shaw AFB, SC. He was Deputy Wing Commander of the 59^th Medical Wing, Wilford Hall at Lackland AFB, TX. His final assignment was Command Surgeon of Air Force Material Command, at Wright-Patterson AFB, near Dayton, OH.

In 2007 he served as the Air Force Forward Operating Surgeon General supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

He retired from the Air Force in 2013 as Colonel. After several assignments on the space coast of Florida, Steve and his wife ultimately chose to spend their retirement years in the Melbourne area.

He is survived by his beloved wife Cindy; his son Timothy J. and wife Elise, son Christopher J., daughter Cassie J.; his brother Dr. David J and wife Lisa, and his granddaughter Maren R.