Stephan Michael Brezina, 73, died Feb. 7, 2005, at Whidbey Island Manor. He was born March 21, 1931 in Jersey City, N.J., to Stesan and Katrarina (Kneznik) Brezina.

Stephan or “Schatz” (German for “sweetheart”) as he was known to his friends, graduated from Catholic High School in Jersey City in 1949 and played Triple A baseball for the Bristol Owls, a farm team of the New York Yankees, based in Chicago. He pitched for one year, but a shoulder injury ended his professional career. He was able to meet and watch some of the great baseball players of his time in action.

Following his sports career, Stephan enlisted in the U. S. Army. He was of Czechoslovakian ancestry and was fluent in eight languages. He volunteered for special duty with the Military Intelligence Service during the Korean War and with his gift of language, was sent to Venice, Italy. From there, he infiltrated into Czechoslovakia, where he was instrumental in ferrying defectors out of communist control, into freedom.

Following the war, Stephan enlisted in the U. S. Air Force, serving as a linguist. He served in the intelligence units in Spokane and Alaska, again working with his language skills and defectors. He left military service in 1958, but stayed in Spokane.

Schatz met Arbina Isabel Bambino, or Beanie as she was known to her friends, and in December 1959, Schatz and Beanie were married. Stephan went to work for the U. S. Postal Service. Arbina worked at the Tijuana Tavern in Spokane and eventually, she and Stephan purchased the tavern. They sold the tavern in 1970.

Stephan retired in 1985. He and Beanie left Spokane and began traveling in their RV, visiting 48 states. They spent their last few years together at Campbell River, B.C.; Pahrump and Bullhead City, Nev.; Palm Springs, Calif.; and Oak Harbor. Beanie died in 2000 and Schatz made Oak Harbor his home, although still traveling for a while. His health failed and he eventually became a resident of Whidbey Island Manor. Schatz loved fishing, arts and crafts, sports of all kinds and especially baseball, his first love.

Stephan is survived by two sons, Steve Johnson and wife Margaret of Concrete and Michael A. Rogers and wife Karen of Spokane. One brother, Joseph Brezina of Jersey City, N.J., two sisters, Sister Mary Ann Brezina of Jersey City, N.J., and Catherine Vancho of Florida and Philadelphia and five grandchildren and six great grandchildren also survive.

Stephan requested no formal funeral services be conducted. Cremation was held. His remains will join those of his wife at a late date. Arrangements are by Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.