Robert Eugene Steichen

Robert Eugene Steichen died peacefully surrounded by loving family March 3rd. He was 94 years young, and his kindness touched every person he met. Bob was born at Sunny Slope Farm, eight miles north of Perry, on November 21st, 1926, the third child of John and Maude (Schiltz) Steichen. He graduated from Perry High School in 1944, serving as Band President. He was a member of National Honor Society and 4-H Club, showing sheep and pigs.

He and his sister Mary Lou were popular entertainers at local events. The family were members of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Following in the footsteps of his two older brothers, Bob attended Oklahoma A&M. After one semester, he left school to serve in the United States Army Air Corps. He returned to A&M to complete his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1950. He accepted his first teaching position in Minco, OK, where he taught band and vocal music.

He and Margaret Beadle met at a 4-H party at Sunny Slope Farm. They were married at St. Joseph Catholic Cathedral, Oklahoma City, on a hot August morning in 1952. Bob next taught in Waynoka, then moved to Tonkawa High School in 1957. He completed his Master of Science degree in Secondary Administration from OSU and his Education Specialist Degree in Counseling and Guidance from Arizona State University. Bob became the Director of Counseling and taught music and psychology at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa from 1969 until his retirement in 1990. Bob was recognized by fellow colleagues as Oklahoma “Counselor of the Year.”He served as President of the Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce and the Tonkawa Lions Club.

He is a Past Commander of the Tonkawa American Legion and served on the Tonkawa City Council. Bob was treasurer of the Blackwell-Tonkawa Airport Board for 25 years and was a Committee Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America. He was active in the Kay County Democratic Party. Bob was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Tonkawa, Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years Margaret, two brothers (John and Joe), and his sister Mary Louise. He leaves behind Jeanne (Steve) Friesen of Enid; Kevin (Erin) Steichen of Tulsa; Suzanne (Matt) McQuade of Yukon; Brenda (Don) Dobbs of Tulsa; Jerry of New York City; Barry (Christine) Steichen of Tulsa; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, so far. He lived a life of exemplary kindness, belief in the innate goodness of every person, and a genuine smile which will never be forgotten or dimmed. His greatest wish: “Harmony and understanding among people, and accepting individual differences.”

Due to Covid restrictions, the funeral mass will be a private family event. Please join us virtually via live stream Sunday, March 7 at 2 pm. Link at troutfuneralhome.com Memorial donations may be made in Bob’s honor to: Northern Oklahoma College Foundation: Steichen Family Music Scholarship, 1220 East Grand Ave., Tonkawa, OK 74653, and, St. Joseph Building Fund, St. Joseph Catholic Church, P.O. Box 525, Tonkawa, OK 74653.