Richard Steiner
April 24, 1940 — Feb. 27, 2021
Richard Steiner was born on April 24, 1940 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He died peacefully at home on February 27, 2021. He had a happy childhood with his loving parents, Mary and Waldo Steiner. During his senior year of high school, he decided to take a national NROTC exam. After being awarded a scholarship, he chose to attend the University of Idaho, where he would meet his future wife, Carole Geidl. They both graduated in June, 1962; Richard was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy; then they were married– all on the same day.
He attended Navy Supply Corp School in Athens, Georgia and then served at the Naval Air Station in Kenitra, Morocco where both children were born, Michael and Suzanne.
The family moved to the Naval Weapons Station, Charleston, SC and then to the Naval Supply Center in Alameda, CA, where he attended Transportation Management School. He was then assigned to the USS Hassayampa at Pearl Harbor, as a Supply Officer during the Vietnam War. During his tour of duty, Carole and the children lived in Hawaii. He served seven years of active duty and would eventually serve 13 more years in the US Navy Reserves.
The family moved to Novato where the children attended elementary and high school. After earning a Master’s Degree, Richard taught for almost 30 years in the Larkspur-Corte Madera School District with enthusiasm that inspired his students. During those years the family enjoyed many trips, vacationing to Mexico, Europe, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Hawaii, and skiing in Tahoe. He joined a diving group and taught Michael how to scuba dive. He also enjoyed playing golf and tennis. He later took sailing lessons and treated friends to outings on the Bay.
After retiring from teaching, Richard and Carole traveled the world together extensively. Friends described Rich as: outgoing, inspirational, larger-than-life, an outside-of-the-box thinker, having great sense of humor, fun-loving, always joking, and upbeat.
Richard is survived by his wife, Carole; his sister, Sylvia Steiner; son, Michael Steiner; daughter, Suzanne Davis; son-in-law, Shannon Davis; daughter-in-law, Rachel Steiner; grandsons, Brendon Steiner and Chris Davis; granddaughters, Ella and Kaia Steiner; many other family members; and a group of close friends in Marin County. Due to Covid-19, an interment at the National Cemetery for Veterans in Dixon will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that all donations be contributed to a Veteran’s organization of choice.
My condolences to the family. Rich was my cousin. My mother was Vivian Grace Steiner Disch who died in 2008. She was the sister of Waldo, and both were the children of Melvin and Grace Steiner. Both my sisters, Candy and Gwen are residents of Berea, OH where Grandpa and Grandma Steiner had a house on Lindhurst. I have a vague memory of Rich and Carol stopping by our house in Westlake, OH just after they were married, but I may be mistaken on the relative. I do remember Sylvia staying with us a few days in Westlake. Any of the family are cordially welcome to contact us, Jan and Damon Disch, 8642 Trails Run Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46217.