Fred Steffens

Fred G. Steffens, 89, long-time resident of Jessup, Maryland, passed away peacefully on 16 December 2025.

The only child of Margaret (née Brunner) and Fred M. Steffens, Fred was born in New York on 12 October 1936 and was raised in South Ozone Park in Queens. As a young man, Fred worked for his father's plumbing supply business in Brooklyn. He graduated from The Hill School in 1954 and Columbia University in 1962.

In 1962, Fred married the love of his life, the late Joan Marie Mudzinkski, and left the big city of New York for bucolic Maryland, where he embarked upon a 28 year career as an analyst and executive with the National Security Agency. During that time, he and Joan raised their two children, Fred and Mary. Between work and family, Fred could be found in his basement workshop, making furniture and crafts out of wood, carving, turning items on his lathe, sewing, upholstering, working on rag-tag autos, and generally tinkering away on one project or another. He loved to try new ideas and hobbies. He had a thirst for knowledge and a hands-on approach to learning and creating that has been passed on to multiple generations.

Fred was a voracious reader. One of his favorite T-Shirts proclaimed "So many books, so little time!". He read the daily paper into his late eighties, loved classic science fiction, and any book from any era that would challenge his mind.

Fred lived a life committed to public service. He proudly donated over 20 gallons of blood. In his early eighties he received recognition for 25 years of volunteering at St. Agnes Hospital. He was a leader in the Jessup community, serving on the Jessup Improvement Association, on a citizens advisory council to the Bureau of Prisons, and as a member of the Parole Board for a

number of local correctional institutions.

In retirement, he and Joan hiked part of the Appalachian Trail, traveled to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt and Morocco. He was a member of the Howard County Woodworkers, and avidly supported the activities of his two grandchildren. He was also an enthusiastic supporter of the Baltimore Opera, The Everyman Theatre, the Phoenix Society, and was a proud alum of The Hill.

For all that he did, the lasting memory of Fred, beyond his prodigious mustache, will be his continual striving for knowledge and ability to connect with people. He loved to spend time engaged in conversation with friends, including fellow congregants from Trinity Church in Elkridge, other woodworkers, NSA retirees, and with just about anyone else open to chatting. He was always ready to discuss his thoughts on science, mathematics, investing, politics, philosophy, or whatever else was on his fertile mind. And, he always loved to tell a good story that often ended with a lot of laughter.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Joan. He is survived by his daughter Mary, son Fred and daughter-in-law Michele, his two grandsons, Cooper and Mitchell, and his companion, Eva Shidle.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Everyman Theatre or Doctors Without Borders in Fred's name.