Richard D. Steckler
Oct. 29, 1948 - Dec. 15, 2013
Resident of Oakland, CA
Richard D. Steckler died in Alameda, California as a result of ALS, aka Lou Gehrig's disease. He was the middle child of George F. Steckler and Frances Margaret Steckler. Rich was a lifelong resident of the Bay Area and a proud native Californian. He is survived by siblings George F. ("Mike") Steckler, Jr. of Hawaii, and Lynne Teale of Washington, and their respective children. He maintained friendships with former wives, Joan Steckler of Alameda and Chris Konnerth of Berkeley.
Rich graduated from Skyline High School, Oakland, in 1966. As a Journeyman Carpenter he participated in many residential building projects, including the ill-fated Hiller Highlands which was virtually destroyed by the 1991 Oakland Firestorm.
Rich enjoyed several years pursuing the good life, surfing in Hawaii, skiing California's Sierras and Colorado's Rocky Mountains. Then came a life-changing event - his 2-year commitment to the Peace Corps in the South Pacific. Rich used his construction skills in creating water delivery systems so Papua New Guineans could have fresh water in their villages.
Back in the Bay Area, Rich applied his creative talent to the invention and patenting of a new way to create Greek Columns for use in structural and decorative settings. Although he lacked resources to bring this product to a wider market, he regarded his "Classic Columns" as his true legacy. Those columns and Rich's discovery of a 150-year family heritage in the art and craft of creative carpentry defined this man, who lived life on his own terms, with few regrets and a great deal of self-satisfaction. At the end of his days, the body failed, but the spirit within was alive and well. May he rest in peace.
Grissom's Chapel & Mortuary
San Lorenzo, CA
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Published in Inside Bay Area on Apr. 13, 2014
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