Steven Kuhn, right, chats with lifeguard Aletheia Burritt at the Parkview YMCA in Warsaw. Kuhn oversees the aquatics program at the Y.

WARSAW — Sometimes the road a person travels on in life will take a few sharp curves. At one time in his life, Steven Kuhn wanted to become an engineer and even started toward that path while in college.

But, eventually, he found himself following a different path and now is the director of aquatics and inclusive programming for the Parkview Warsaw branch of the Kosciusko Community YMCA.

Born and raised in Warsaw, the 2003 Warsaw Community High School graduate attended IPFW, where he earned an associate’s degree in business administration and also organizational leadership and supervision. Two years later, in 2009, he earned a bachelor’s degree.

Originally, he started college with the intent of earning an industrial management degree. “I have always enjoyed building and tinkering with things, putting things together,” he said.

But in the summer of 2007, he was looking for a full-time job and was planning to get married. “I was not really expecting to land the Y job, but I did,” Kuhn said. “I just wanted to pay the bills.”

He had worked for the YMCA while attending IPFW and also had a lifeguarding certification, and then landed the full-time job in 2007 as the sports and aquatics director at the Whitley County Family YMCA in Columbia City. “It has turned out to be a good career,” he noted.

After working in Columbia City for four years, Kuhn came to the Warsaw Y in 2011 when it was still located on Smith Street. The Parkview branch opened to the public in December 2015.

In his role at the Parkview branch, he manages all aspects of aquatics including the Sharks swimming team, swim lessons and lifeguard management and training. He also oversees the inclusive programming targeted at those with special needs. “We want to integrate them as much as possible into our typical programs,” he said.

Inclusive programming is specifically for those with sensory issues or who have disabilities hindering them from effectively participating in water aerobics, for example.

Swim lessons are given to those as young as 6 months and range all the way up through adult ages “for those afraid of the water up to experts,” Kuhn said. During the past two sessions of swim lessons offered, more than 300 people participated. “The Y is a leader in aquatics,” he emphasized.

He also certifies YMCA staff members to become lifeguards.

A typical day for Kuhn is, well, not so typical. “It can change,” he said. “It depends on the focus. It is hard to pinpoint. My main focus is supporting what we have and developing our programs.”

Kuhn also oversees the safety and recreation director, the one full-time staff member he has.

Outside the confines of the YMCA, Kuhn considers himself an amateur handyman and has done remodeling work in his Warsaw home. He’s also a devoted family man and enjoys spending time with his family.

During the college football season, it’s a safe bet he will be found in front of the television set faithfully watching the Notre Dame Fighting Irish play. “I am a diehard Notre Dame football fan,” he said with no hesitation.

Kuhn is a graduate of the Kosciusko Leadership Academy and also serves on the board of service for his church, Shepherd by the Lakes Lutheran near Syracuse. He coaches the church softball team too.

Steven is married to Falon, a 2006 WCHS graduate, and they have two boys: Keaton, age 5; and Kendrick, age 2.