Bomb kills Wells man working in Afghanistan

ELKO -- A Wells man who recently asked to extend his volunteer time in Afghanistan has been killed in that country in a roadside bombing that struck his convoy, his family said Thursday.

Steven Thomas Stefani, 28, an employee of the U.S. Agriculture Department who worked on poultry and agriculture projects in Ghazni province, had been working on construction of a cold storage facility for farmers.

A statement from the Stefani family said, "He loved his work in the Forest Service and he loved his work in Afghanistan. He was truly working to improve the lives of people in need and we mourn his passing."

Stefani's service was a voluntary detail from his job as a rangeland management specialist for the U.S. Forest Service. Stefani worked out of the Wells office with permittees to balance the needs of livestock with the rangelands in the Humboldt-Toiyabe district.

"Tom's contributions will have a real and lasting impact on the people and agricultural economy of Afghanistan," acting USDA Secretary Chuck Conner said in a statement.

"The fact that Tom recently requested an extension of his service time in Afghanistan speaks to his courage and commitment to protecting our freedom and creating a better life for a deserving people."

Humboldt-Toiyabe Forest Supervisor Ed Monnig said Stefani was a solid member of the district's workforce.

"It is truly a tragedy," Monnig said. "He was trying to help people. I don't understand why this has to be the way it is for somebody that was trying to do so much good."

Stefani received both his master's and bachelor's degrees in science from the University of Nevada, Reno. In addition to his parents, his family includes two brothers.