Robert (Bob) Francis Steele, 69, quietly passed away from heart failure on Aug. 9,2022 in Port Charlotte, Florida. He was born in Pittsburg, Kansas on June 30, 1953, to George Robert Steele and Genevieve Carolyn Farrington Steele, both now deceased.
Bob is survived by three children, Anna Steele of Boise, Idaho, Allison Seitz of Wichita, Kansas, and Nathan Asberry of Nickerson, Kansas. Nate’s wife, Becki, is mother to Bob’s three grandchildren, Paige Asberry, Megan Asberry, and Lucas Asberry. Also surviving are Bob’s sister and two brothers, Joelene Dalton of Bentonville, Arkansas, George Steele of Topeka, Kansas, and Kenny Steele of Grove, Oklahoma.
Bob had an adventurous spirit. He loved to travel and try new things. It’s no wonder he worked at many different jobs. He worked in Crawford County as a deputy and EMT, and on the Pittsburg Police. In Wichita he was a Campus Police officer at WSU, remembering fondly his opportunities to guard notable celebrities, such as Stevie Nicks of the band Fleetwood Mac. He worked for the Wichita Police Department as an officer and helicopter pilot. For a while he lived in Winslow, Arizona as a train detective for the Santa Fe Railroad. He then switched directions and began sales of cars, insurance, and security systems.
Bob married Louanne Smith in Pittsburg, Kansas on Nov. 28,1987 during a snowstorm. Family said it would never last since they had only dated for a few months, and the storm seemed a bad omen. That opinion was proved wrong as this year the two celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary.
Bob and Lou shared drama productions at Pittsburg High School, fondly remembering their experiences as Golde and the Rabbi in “Fiddler on the Roof”. Bob graduated PHS in 1971, and then from Wichita State University.
Bob included his family in his adventures, and together they camped across the country. He clearly showed his approach to life when he took flying lessons to address his fear of flying. Other activities were scuba diving, boating, firearms trainer, watching action movies, leading as church elder and teacher. Being a loving husband and father were very important to him. Above all, he liked helping people.
A Celebration of Life will be held at La Quinta Inn, Pittsburg, Kansas on Aug. 27th, 2022, at 3 p.m. Cremains will be scattered in the Gulf of Mexico.
