Harry Herbert Steinkampf

Harry Steinkampf passed peacefully into eternity on September 18, 2025 following a brief battle with cancer. He was 95 years old. He is preceded in glory by his wife of 72 years, Lucille and granddaughter Christine. Harry is survived by his son, Randy and daughter-in-law Pat and his daughter, Laurie and son-in-law Doug. His four living grandchildren include Ryan (Kelsey), Callie (Wes), Elizabeth (Eamonn), and Nathan (Lexi). Harry was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Sage, Lilli, Addie Lou, Ellie and Eoin. A sixth great grandchild, whose name is top secret (we will call her Squeaks for now) is due in winter.

Harry is a first-generation American, born to German immigrants in his home on the east side of Detroit. While a reluctant student at times, he graduated from Southeastern High School before beginning work at Chrysler Corporation as a tour guide. In 31 years with the company Harry rose to the ranks of management and was there to witness the transition from pencil and paper to the computer age. While working for Chrysler, he obtained the rank of Sergeant in the Michigan National Guard variously serving in radar, communications, and artillery. Toward the end of his career with Chrysler and into retirement, he co-founded Sign of the Crane Antiques with his wife, Lucille. Other interests included listening to Big Band Jazz, playing clarinet, playing second base for a regional traveling baseball team, photography, lapidary, and coin collecting.

Harry’s most lasting legacy falls under the umbrella of family and faith. In early 1950, Harry attended a youth group event and spotted an interesting red head and the rest is history. Harry and Lucille were married in 1952 at St. Paul Lutheran Church and began a 72-year love story. Tough times came to the auto industry requiring periods of seven day a week, twelve hours a day work. In spite of that there was always tucking in, tossing the ball around, going to games and recitals and spending true quality time with his family, including time at the cottages he helped build for the family. We “helped” him build which probably doubled the time for each project, but we did it together. Grandchildren upped the ante. Now there were more games, concerts, shows, recitals, track meets, graduations, and who knows what else. Harry and Lou were at them all, including a base running tutorial for little league baseball.

Harry’s legacy of faith included many years of teaching Sunday School and work with youth at St. Paul. This included several years as a scout leader for young men with hearing impairments. He also maintained a long-standing commitment to greeting and ushering (still remember the “ushers’ club” picnics). He and his friend Bernie would often be seen photographing the life of the congregation. His commitment to God’s word continued until the very end as a participant and sometime co leader of a Bible study in his retirement community.

Harry’s love of God, love of family, hard work, integrity, and, of course, his “dad jokes” will be missed…until we meet again.

A visitation for Harry will be held Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at A H Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236, followed by a memorial service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made in Harry's honor to St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church or to the Alzheimer's Association.