William Howard Steinbrink

William Howard “Bill” Steinbrink, a devoted husband, father, attorney, and lifelong learner who believed deeply in family, integrity, and service, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026, at the age of 83.

Bill was born on October 4, 1942, in Richmond, Indiana, to Helen and Harry Steinbrink. From an early age, he showed leadership and an eagerness to engage with the wider world. He attended Richmond schools and was deeply involved in YMCA programs, eventually serving as president of Hi-Y, the YMCA’s high school leadership organization. He also served as a counselor at Camp Clements, the YMCA’s local summer camp, where he enjoyed mentoring younger campers and developing the leadership skills that would shape his future. Shortly after graduating from high school, he was selected to attend the YMCA World Youth Conference in Holland, an experience that broadened his perspective and deepened his interest in global ideas and cultures.

Bill went on to attend Wittenberg University, where he majored in political science and was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. At Wittenberg, he further developed his intellectual curiosity and commitment to leadership. He later attended Duke University School of Law, where he served on the law review and began what would become a distinguished legal career.

At the center of Bill’s life was his enduring partnership with Betsy Ann Allen, the love of his life. The two met as eighth graders, and Bill would later say he knew even then that Betsy was someone with whom he hoped to build a life. After college they married and soon set out on their first adventure together: a honeymoon road trip that wound its way to New Orleans before they headed to Durham for law school.

After completing his legal studies, Bill and Betsy settled in Shaker Heights, Ohio, where they would build their family and spend many of their happiest years. Their son, Scott, was born in 1967, and in 1971 they welcomed their daughter, Laura, through adoption. Bill was a deeply devoted father who took great pride in his children and cherished the life he and Betsy created together. Their partnership was the constant thread running through every chapter of his life.

Bill spent much of his professional career as a corporate attorney at Jones Day in Cleveland, one of the nation’s leading law firms. Known among colleagues as a “lawyer’s lawyer,” he was widely respected for his sharp intellect, sound judgment, and ability to navigate complex transactions. During the 1980s he played key roles in major corporate deals, including the acquisition of Scott Fetzer by Berkshire Hathaway, along with work involving companies such as TRW, BF Goodrich and Rubbermaid.

As Administrative Partner for the firm in 1990 as personal computers entered the legal field, Bill was quoted as saying, “Computers will help lawyers make decisions, rather than just saving them time and improving access to information.” He led the development of early firm-wide databases, implemented email, and created templates that were used by attorneys around the world.

His career later expanded beyond private legal practice. In 1993 he left Jones Day to serve as President of Laurel Industries and later as President of Climax Specialty Metals, roles that reflected both his leadership abilities and his capacity to lead companies through acquisitions. Eventually he returned to Jones Day, where he led the firm’s global knowledge management initiative, an innovative effort to continue to organize and share the firm’s intellectual capital.

After retiring, Bill returned to one of the institutions that had shaped his early life when he became interim president of Wittenberg University. He also served for many years on the corporate board of The J.M. Smucker Company, contributing his experience and judgment to the stewardship of another respected Midwestern institution.

Beginning in 1996, Bill and Betsy divided their time between Cleveland and Naples, Florida, where they built a community of friends and enjoyed the warmth and beauty of Southwest Florida. After many years of balancing time between the two places, Bill retired fully to Naples in 2017.

Outside of work, Bill found joy in a wide range of pursuits. He had a lifelong love of gardening and became known for the beautiful landscapes he cultivated at the family home in Shaker Heights. His gardens were widely admired and received recognition for their thoughtful design and meticulous care. When he and Betsy later lived in homes without space for expansive outdoor greenery, Bill simply moved his passion indoors and developed a particular fascination with orchids.

He also loved music, especially classical piano, and was a longtime attendee of performances by The Cleveland Orchestra. A loyal Cleveland sports fan, he could often be found cheering on his teams and later in life enjoyed gathering with fellow fans as a regular with the Naples Browns Backers.

Bill also maintained the love of automobiles that he had shared with his brother Richard in their youth. Over the years he owned and enjoyed driving several classic cars, including a 1955 Jaguar XK140 that never failed to turn heads when he drove it through town. On one memorable drive, another motorist pulled up alongside him, rolled down the window, and jokingly asked if he had any Grey Poupon—a playful nod to the classic commercial and the sophistication his car exuded.

Bill and Betsy shared a love of travel and cherished many vacations together at Caneel Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which became one of their favorite retreats. Friends also knew Bill for his personal style: he was recognized as one of Cleveland’s best-dressed in both Currents and Cleveland Magazine.

Giving back to others was a core tenet of his life. He served on the board of directors for the Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center, Cleveland Institute of Music, The Cleveland Botanical Garden and the Barefoot Beach Club.

For all his accomplishments, Bill remained grounded in the values he had learned early in life. In his later reflections, he emphasized honesty, intellectual rigor, gratitude, and family. He believed deeply in the promise of human progress and felt fortunate to have lived his life in a country that offered opportunities to those willing to work hard and rewards to those who pursued them.

As Bill entered his eighth decade, his quality of life gradually diminished due to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. He took part in drug trials prior to the COVID pandemic and experienced a gentle, friendly decline of his physical and mental abilities. Though the disease eventually claimed his memory, Bill’s kind and gentle spirit remained unchanged. Fittingly, his final words were, "Thank you."

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Betsy Ann Steinbrink (née Allen), and by his brother, Richard Allan Steinbrink.

He is survived by his son, Scott Allen Steinbrink (Amy) of Atlanta, Georgia; his daughter, Laura Elizabeth Steinbrink (Joe Compton) of Cleveland, Ohio; and his grandchildren, Brandon Scott Novak and William Howard Mau. He is also survived by Betsy’s siblings Rob (Gayle) Allen, John (Becky) Allen, and Anne Allen McGrath, along with nieces and nephews Todd (Carla) Steinbrink, Beth (Don) Gordon, Zachary Allen, and Louisa McGrath.

Those who knew Bill will remember a man of intellect, warmth, and quiet integrity—someone who believed that life was meant to be lived with curiosity, purpose, and generosity toward others. In the end, however, the story of Bill’s life is inseparable from the story he shared with Betsy. From the moment they met as teenagers through decades of marriage, family, work, travel, and friendship, she was his constant companion and partner. Together they built a life grounded in love, curiosity, and deep devotion to family—a life that continues in the children, grandchildren, and friendships they nurtured over the years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Cleveland Chapter, 3 Summit Park Drive, #550, Independence Ohio, 44131.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, May 14 at 4pm at The Union Club, 1211 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland Ohio.