Allan L. Steele

Honorable Allan L. Steele, Judge (retired), Superior Court of California, Ventura County Bench, permanently left the building Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Comedian and consummate storyteller; lover of Latin music and dance, and big band jazz. Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, the Nicholas brothers, Bob Fosse, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Xavier Cugat, Frank Sinatra, Dick Haymes, Sarah Vaughn, and, of course, Woody Allen- these were among his favorite artists.

Born August 8, 1929, Alfred Leonard Skolnick was raised in Brooklyn, graduated Tilden High School, attended Brooklyn College, and received his Juris Prudence degree from Brooklyn Law School. He worked as a law clerk in New York City before changing his name to Allan L. Steele and moving to Los Angeles in 1957. "After all," he always said, "I could starve in warm, tropical Los Angeles as well as in cold, filthy New York." Unassailable thinking...

After passing the California Bar exam, Mr. Steele became a personal injury trial lawyer, likening a trial to putting on a play. He loved the trial scene in the musical "Chicago." Later he "drifted" into family law and became a specialist. Mr. Steele also practiced workers compensation law. In 1965, Mr. Steele moved his family to Thousand Oaks, becoming the third partner in a Ventura County law firm.

While raising his family, Mr. Steele was a founder of Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks and served as president of the congregation. He was instrumental in building the edifice and involved in hiring Rabbi Shimon Paskow. He loved trying to make the Rabbi laugh while he was conducting services by telling jokes in asides. Rabbi returned the favor when Mr. Steele was giving the congregational announcements.

In December 1982, Governor Jerry Brown appointed Mr. Steele to the Superior Court of California, Ventura County Bench when, he joked, he became honorable. Judge Steele was enrobed in January 1983. He served five years as Judge in Family Law, then in Law and Motion, and, finally, on the Criminal Court Bench. He once said that for every sentencing code he had to memorize, he lost a joke. He still had a large block of stories and jokes left that he loved to tell, in and out of the courtroom.

Everyone knew when Judge Steele was picking a jury because of the laughter coming from his courtroom. He put everyone at ease with humor while reminding them that a trial itself was very serious business. Judge Steele believed in justice, fairness and mercy, to which everyone in his courtroom was entitled.

Judge Steele enjoyed traveling the world, particularly cruising on small ships. He loved cars, especially his Miata. He liked going to live theater, enjoying all genres of plays and concerts. He was a lifelong Dodger fan, holding season tickets for over 35 years. He liked learning about new ideas, new technology, and new products.

In retirement, Judge Steele loved sitting in his backyard oasis, soaking up the sun and watching the "wildlife." He particularly enjoyed meeting for lunch with The Gang, other retired (and not) colleagues. His wit and comic writing skills were in evidence almost until the end of his life. After his last visit to the emergency room shortly before his death, Judge Steele was creating a comic riff on those experiences.

Judge Steele is survived by his wife of 43 years, Berta Defren Steele; Michael (Teresa), Jeffrey (Linda), and Evan (Larissa), his sons with Renee, his first wife; stepdaughter, Naomi Lubick (Matthew); nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.

A memorial service and luncheon will take place Monday, March 23, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Temple Beth Torah, 7620 Foothill Rd., Ventura. Due to security concerns, reservations must be made. Please email jalsmemorial@gmail.com to let us know you are attending.

Arrangements are under the direction the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE. Ventura.