My dad was the best man I've ever known. Honesty and integrity were his hallmark. He was my hero, and my best friend. He believed in the here and now, not the hereafter, and that actions spoke louder than words. He loved his family and adored my mother. To hurt or disrespect her was an assault against him. Except for a time when he was drafted into service in World War II, they shared seventy-two wonderful years loving each other. Life wasn't perfect for them, as we all find out sooner than later in our own lives, but they made life the best they could and overcame any adversity or obstacle. 

We both taught each other a great deal, and he was so proud of me when I got my college degree with honors. I do believe that I learned more from him than he did from me. I will never forget our life together. I spent the last five years looking out for mom and dad, making appointments, taking them to the doctors and numerous medical tests. And I know he expected me to look out for â€œhis girlâ€ and before he died, I promised him I would do just that. 

Douglas Bruce Steel.
Youngest of Richard's two sons

This is my eulogy Aunt Sharon is reading for me today:

Dear Grandpa,

You were an amazing Grandfather and  I feel so lucky to have had you in my life.  I want you to know I appreciated every second we had together.  I would get so excited to come & visit you in Florida or when I knew you and Grandma were coming to Georgia.  You meant the world to me. 

I loved how handy you were.  In fact, you ruined other men for me.  I expected men to be able to fix or build anything and do it well.  What I learned instead, not all me were like you, and not even close.  I expected men to be like a Prince Charming, as you were in my mind to Grandma, and most are not like you.  Don't get me wrong, Jesse is close, but still not you.  Haha.  I expected men to be hard workers and take care of their families and unfortunately, many men are not like that these days, not like you.  You were a rarity!  Grandma struck gold when you came into her life.  

You challenged me. You taught me to be responsible.  You taught me to not waste money on pointless things, unfortunately I did not listen.  You even taught me how to take a shower more efficiently! Yes, you did this!  I never get out of the shower without flicking water off me first before I even let the towel hit me.  I know it works because Jesse's towel is soaked and mine is barely damp.  Simple things like that, that never left my mind.  Now the one thing that I could not get myself to do  was to wash my hair with bar soap, Irish Spring to be exact.  But I'm sure it will come out one day that you were right.  If soap is good enough for your body, it should be good enough for your hair. 

I will always miss our drives to McDonalds in the early AM for you to have your coffee and read a paper.  I will never forget our trip to Canada and Eddie and I hanging out in the back of your truck with your beds and storage compartments you made.  Eddie and I thought that was the coolest thing.  And being able to knock on the sliding glass window to bug you guys was the best!  Of course, I thought I was the coolest then I would ride up front with you and Grandma and Eddie was in the back.  Haha.  I'll never forget our walks together in Fort Erie to the bakery.  I loved buying all those donuts, and I still love donuts, but the men whistling on our walks was hysterical.  How you handled it was awesome. The men weren't whistling at me, but you told me they were whistling at you because you were so good looking.  Classic!

I have so many memories and stories I could talk about for days and days but unfortunately have to be fair to everyone else and poor Aunt Sharon reading this for me.  So, I want you and everyone to know, I love you so very much.  You will forever live in my heart and my being.  Words can not express how much I will miss seeing you, But I know you will be with me always and forever.  Until we see each other again, I love you Grandpa.

I will love you forever grandpa my gpa. Chi mi a-rithist thu. I will see you again. Love Melanie

OBITUARY

Richard Webster Steel

11 March, 1919 – 19 January, 2013

Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memory Gardens

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