Dr. Stephen Malley passed away on April 2, 2026, leaving behind a life that was anything but ordinary.
Steve graduated from Rockhurst High school, Creighton University, and University of Kansas Medical School.
Steve was a surgeon – an exceptionally gifted one. As a general surgeon and later a leader in weight loss surgery, he changed the lives of countless patients, helping many quite literally reclaim their futures. He had a mind that could solve anything, a memory that seemed endless, and a standard of excellence that never wavered. His time as a Navy medical officer shaped that sharp edge—when you are the only doctor on a ship, you either figured it out….or you figured it out. He always did.
But to describe him only by his profession would miss the point entirely.
He was a lifelong student of the world—deeply curious, endlessly interested, and able to talk about everything from literature to obscure music trivia without missing a beat. He loved art, collected memorabilia, and once proudly displayed a life-sized cutout of Gene Simmons in his office—because of course he did. Music, in particular, was his language. If there was a fact worth knowing about a band, Steve already knew it—and probably had a story (or tattoo) to go with it.
He lived boldly. At times, like a rock star. Generous to a fault, he expressed love through giving—often in ways that were elaborate, unexpected, and entirely unforgettable. If you were lucky enough to be on the receiving end of one of his gifts, you knew it wasn’t just generosity—it was how he showed you mattered.
Steve was also a man of quirks—many of them legendary. He was always on time (always), preferred a plan over surprises, and somehow managed to both avoid attention and quietly become the center of every room. He was wickedly funny in the driest, smartest way—never loud, but always the sharpest voice in the conversation. He had strong opinions and very little patience for nonsense or stupidity (especially behind the wheel).
For all his edge, his center of attention was always his family. He is survived by his devoted mother, Barbara Mullen, and loving sister Debbie O’Toole, whose faith, love, and unwavering belief in him never faltered. His mother, in particular, never stopped praying for him—often reminding him that a few Hail Mary’s could fix just about anything, a suggestion he didn’t always fully appreciate at the time but was grateful she never stopped. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law Kerry and nieces Grace and Gabbie and a large extended family and many loyal friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Bob Malley.
Most importantly, he leaves behind his daughter Julia Malley—the greatest joy of his life and his proudest accomplishment. She grounded him, challenged him, and, in many ways, helped bring him back to himself. She will be what he most wants to be remembered for.
Steve’s life was not a straight line. It had highs that were extraordinary and valleys that tested him deeply. But in recent years, he was building something steady again—reconnecting, rebuilding, and moving forward with quiet determination.
He often talked about writing a book one day—about the wildness, the brilliance, the mistakes, the music, and the stories. It would have been quite a read.
In the end, Steve Malley was exactly who he was: brilliant, complicated, generous, stubborn, funny, and unforgettable.
He will be missed deeply, remembered often, and talked about in the kind of stories that only get better with time—exactly the way he would have wanted.
Services will be Saturday April 18th
Queen of the Holy Rosary, Wea
22779 Metcalf Road
Bucyrus, KS
10:00 – Visitation
11:00 – Mass
12:00 – Burial
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association for research.
