Elston Wells VanSteenburgh

Elston Wells Van Steenburgh
Elston Wells Van Steenburgh, age 94, passed away on December 8, 2022 in Naples, FL. Van is survived by wife Betty, daughters Tracy (Jim) and Lesley, son Robert (Franke), and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by wife Barbara, who passed in 2001, grandson Steven Clyma, and granddaughter Breanna Tierney. Van grew up in Binghamton, NY and Rockford, IL, graduating high school from Rockford West High School. He attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA for two years and then transferred to Michigan State University where he obtained a B.A. and an M.A. in philosophy. He received a Ph.D in philosophy from the University of Michigan and taught in the University of Michigan system for twelve years. In 1968, he joined the faculty of Northern Illinois University, where he was a professor of philosophy and served as the philosophy department chairman for many years. He retired in 1993. He loved philosophy and contributed original work to leading philosophical journals and was the author of Analytic Philosophy Adrift. Van's talents also included designing and building a cottage in Michigan and building and operating student houses in DeKalb (along with wife Barbara), but his greatest talent was his ability to communicate. He was a "force of nature" when it came to discourse. His intelligence and analytical ability were fully revealed in conversation, which, unsurprisingly, often resembled a lecture. He loved to tell stories, whether it be about his childhood cat (who got bigger every time he told the story), his failed fishing adventures, or his landscaping triumphs and tragedies. He was able to laugh at himself and his smile lit up his entire face. Van felt fortunate to have married Betty after Barbara's death and he and Betty relocated to Sanibel Island, where they lived near the lighthouse until his health required that he receive additional care and attention. He enjoyed Betty's children, Scott and Vikki, and their families, and took to the sea with them on two separate cruises. While on Sanibel, he enjoyed the sunshine, engaged in social conversation over card games with Betty and friends, continued to think and write about philosophical issues, and talked late into the night when his children came to visit. His intelligence, thoughtful reflections, warmth, and humor will be missed. No service is planned.