Eric William Steckel

Eric William Steckel, beloved husband of Lynn Steckel, and father to Melanie Lasley, Mark Steckel (Brandi), Laurel Archie (Kevin), Logan Stallings (Will), and Faith Steckel left his worldly home peacefully and in the arms of his wife and presence of his children on August 21, 2022. Eric was born in Allentown, PA, and after forty years in Lake Forest, IL, he and Lynn relocated to South Carolina in June 2022 to be closer to children and grandchildren.

Eric, in addition to many academic and professional accolades, was first and foremost a man of God, a selfless servant - slow to anger, always forgiving - and a lover of nature and mankind. A benefactor of many causes, he had a special place in his heart for the afflicted, neglected, and forgotten. He loved his family (5 children, 12 grandchildren) and together with Lynn, embraced their times together. Despite the many miles between them, Eric always accompanied Lynn to visit the kids across states, countries, and continents even while struggling with his health. Eric always traveled with his Bible in hand, and aside from occasional “hard” sudokus, read it while traveling.

Eric was first introduced to Lynn in 1977 as her TA at the University of South Carolina (USC). After extensive pursuit on Eric’s behalf, Lynn knew she had met the man with whom she wanted to spend her life. Not surprisingly, she asked him to marry her (he said yes!). They celebrated their 42nd anniversary on August 16, 2022, while Eric was still hospitalized – even having his ICU nurse help him write Lynn a beautiful anniversary card.

Eric was a quiet, non-self-promoting, generous man, respected by many and committed to his family and his belief in God and our country. He not only loved his children, but also his friends, especially those from Christ Church Crossroads. His best days were Sundays where he was providentially filled with energy and happiness. He touched many lives with his strong character, non-judgmental spirit, leaving the world a better place for those who knew him.

Eric received his BS in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University in 1968 and PhD in biochemistry from USC in 1981. He established his thirty-year career at Abbott Laboratories as a chemist in the diagnostics division. During those years, he also supported Lynn as a husband and father throughout her graduate studies at Rush University to become a nurse practitioner. He wore many hats, frequently rearranging work to never miss a dance recital, orchestra performance, or college move-in day.

Eric will always be remembered as a quiet soul, lover of the arts, particularly the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, avid reader, violinist, multilinguist, and a gift to mankind. In addition to his wife and children, Eric is survived by his brothers, Dr. Fred Steckel of Colorado Springs, CO, and Paul Steckel (Marilyn) of Slatington, PA.

The family would like to especially thank all of those who participated in his treatment over the past seventeen years as he battled cancer, especially those who were not only clinicians, but also friends, namely Dr. Eugene Kwon from Mayo Clinic and Dr. Marc Posner from Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital.

A memorial service will be held at Wenban Funeral Home, Lake Forest, IL on Sunday, August 28, 2022 at 3:00 PM followed by a reception from 4:00 to 6:00 at the Deerpath Inn, Lake Forest, IL.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a memorial donation to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, or Samaritan’s Purse.

“The best portion of a good man’s life is his little nameless unremembered acts of kindness and of love.”

- William Wordsworth

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com for the Steckel family.