Robert Joseph "Bob" Steiner

1928 - 2012

HOOKSETT - Robert "Bob" Joseph Steiner, 83, of Hooksett and Manchester, passed away Sunday, June 24, 2012 at the Hackett Hill Health Care Facility, after a long illness.

Bob was born November 8, 1928 in Bridgeport, Conn. and was the son of Ruth and Gilbert Steiner. He served as a member of the Counterintelligence Corps in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was recently recognized by General Robert Cone for his 35 years of dedicated work with students seeking admission to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

Steiner served Manchester as a member of the School Board, and as Clerk of the School Board through the 1970s. He was a Trustee of the Eastern States Exposition and served as a judge at the Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Fair for twenty five years. He is a lifelong member of the Southport, Conn. volunteer fire department and was an avid collector of both American Flyer Trains and milk bottles. Locally, Steiner was also active in the Friends of Stark Park Association; Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, the Leather Helmets Society and was a member of the Hooksett Conservation Commission.

A native New Englander, Bob was raised in Southport, Conn. and had fond memories of his work at Nyala Farm as a young child. Steiner attended the Vermont Technical College, and received his Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture from the University of Connecticut. He also served as the trainer for the UCONN Husky Dog. Steiner received his Master's Degree in Education from the University of Rhode Island.

Steiner spent a career working in the field of education. He began by teaching high school in Moodus, Conn., served as an Agricultural Editor at the University of Rhode Island, in New Hampshire he worked for the University of New Hampshire and transferred to Manchester to help start the Merrimack Valley Branch, which is now known as the University of New Hampshire – Manchester. He later served as the Director of the Extension Division for Hawthorne College, served as the Chairman of the Animal Science Department for Essex Agricultural and Technical Institute and served as an instructor in veterinary technology at Alvirne High School. Steiner was later appointed by President George Bush to serve as the Northeast Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farmers Home Administration.

He is survived by his wife, Norma Haines Bolduc Steiner; three children, R. James Steiner and his wife Theresa of Concord, Martha "Marti" Steiner Jones of Manchester, and Jonathan Steiner and his wife Robin Ryan Steiner of Lexington, K.Y.; three step-sons, Michael Bolduc and his wife Karen of Auburn, Jeffrey Bolduc and his wife Debra of Manchester, and Thomas Bolduc of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; five grandchildren, Ryan Steiner of Boston, Bethany Jones of Manchester, Elise and Erica Steiner of Concord, and Isabelle Steiner of Lexington, K.Y; four step grandchildren, Joshua and Timothy Bolduc of Manchester, Craig and Kevin Bolduc of Auburn; and a sister Janet Henke and her husband Robert of Whittier, Calif.

Bob was predeceased by his first wife, Lee Anne Schnizer Steiner in 2007.

Calling hours will be held Sunday, July 1, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Goodwin Funeral Home, 607 Chestnut St., Manchester.

The funeral service will be held Monday, July 2, at 10 a.m. in the Goodwin Funeral Home, 607 Chestnut St., Manchester.

Burial will follow at New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway Rte. 3, Boscawen, NH 03303.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Stark Park, PO Box 1485, Manchester, NH 03105.

Please go to www.goodwinfh.com to sign the online guestbook.