My parents, Bill and Peg Capron, were close friends of Walter and Eileen. When I spent four years at Swarthmore College, they became my second family. They showered me with good food, love and attention. Although they started out as my parents' friends, they became close friends of mine. For the more than three decades I have lived in Washington, DC, beginning in 1987, I came up a couple of times a year to visit with them. Although Walter was 31 years older than I was, I always found him a fascinating companion. He was an inventor's inventor -- always tinkering with some new project. I always heard of brand-new technologies first from Walter Steuber -- such as LED lighting. He got so excited about new technologies and new discoveries. He had a wonderful, curious mind -- always learning new things even when he was 103 years old. It is probably why he lived so long -- because he was always learning. I will always miss Walter and Eileen a great deal. They were both lovely people.

Lee, Pat, David, Sari, & Gordon, our deepest condolences on Walters passing. We have fond memories of our visits and chats covering a wide range of subjects. Walter will live in our hearts and memories and make us smile because we were fortunate to have known him.
Rest in Peace

Bobbie's remembrance of Walt speaks for me, too. It captures my wonderful memories of the Wood family's good and long-time friend. When I search for words to express all the things Walt meant to me, I see him lounging by the pool or in a comfortable chair in the living room and realize that his face said it all. He had the warmest, friendliest, most welcoming face of anyone I've ever known. The memory of Walt's embracing, jovial smile and eyes full of curiosity and good humor lives on in my heart and soul and is worth a thousand words.

February 11, 2020

Dear David, Lee, Pat and Sari,

Wow! A world without Walt Steuber? It just seems impossible. Walt was larger than life to us Wood girls, a friendly, vivid and colorful presence during our early Swarthmore years. Walt and Eileen were extended family and always so interested in us and our little lives. The adventures of Walter Steuber were endlessly fascinating, and partially unfolded over time. I’ll never forget the first time I heard about the DDT endeavor (I’m sure I have this somewhat mixed up in my mind). We pictured Walt transporting chemicals home from Dupont to his basement where he and Eileen concocted DDT (or something?) in a witch’s cauldron, and then funneled it into big jugs; then marketed it to friends and relatives. All this before DDT became commercially available, then banned!

Then there was Dupont Teflon, which we were sure Walter had invented. For all we know he invented Velcro and Whiteout too! The science of it all was more than we could handle. Walter was the ultimate inventor!

Of course, there was the silkscreen operation. I can still vaguely picture the huge platform and apparatus that cranked out all sorts of awesome prints of our dad’s and other people’s creations. Wasn’t this setup right in the dining or living room? With that smile in his eyes, chuckle, and booming voice, Walt was always happy to demonstrate or explain any of this stuff to us kids. And wasn’t it great how Eileen put up with all the “stuff” in her house?

I know Walter was an artist in his own right, but I’m a bit foggy on the media he may have worked in. I remember the sculptures most of all—partially finished busts around the house; sculptures mounted outdoors—in clay I think. Did Walt also paint? I can’t remember.

The house itself could be considered a huge work of art by Walt (and Eileen). The designing and building of the apartment (as I recall it was) at the end of the driveway; and its ultimate demolition; the walls, stairs and landscaping around the property; the interior remodeling. And then there was mission control—that room around the corner from the living room that held all those computers and other mysterious equipment—long before the times of Steve Jobs or Bill Gates.

The Pool deserves a paragraph of its own. Its setting and design was way beyond unique; even we kids recognized that. No flat aqua rectangle for Walt! Its generous oval shape hugged the hillside and provided a view of Smedley Park. The pool became a focal point for our summers. Towels trailing, we descended the steep steps to the picnic table, then jumped into the pool for our swimming lessons from Eileen as little children; or swimming, diving off the board, and splashing each other as teens. Eileen and Walt (and of course, Pat, Lee and David) filled our summer days with fun. The 4th of July picnic/swim with all the family friends is a particularly fond memory.

I think the last time Jeff and I saw Walter, we were at your house for a dinner cooked by Eileen. I think you guys were there too, as were Mother, Dad, Molly and Sue. I believe it was soon after you had celebrated a big event—anniversary, birthday, not sure, as there was an easel with some photos on it. Anyway, everyone had a great time. I am thankful for that last memory of the Steubers and Woods together laughing and talking over a delicious meal prepared by the ultimate cook. We were all so lucky to grow up together in such stimulating and loving environments.

Dear Steubers,

I have known Walter for some 55 years, 15 years longer than I knew my own father, who died at age 72 when I was 40. Coincidentally, my father and Walter were born on the same day. Somehow, Lee and I managed to overlook that fact for many decades...

My fondness for Walter has grown immensely over the years. When I was a teenager in the 60's, I considered him (and all men of his age) to be part of "the establishment". Over the years, I gained a great appreciation for his intellectual curiosity and his eagerness to engage with me and others. 

I feel like I have been with him on an important part of the long, long journey that was his life, and I have certainly benefited infinitely from knowing him and the home and family he and Eileen created. We have all marveled at his longevity. In reflecting on his reaching 103 (and a half), I have felt it was due in part to how well Eileen took care of him and in part to how much he delighted in discovering different aspects of the world. He managed to escape the stress of the workaday world at a relatively young age and proceeded to immerse himself over the years in a variety of endeavors of his own creation.

Then there are those who are adamant that his secret to a long life was chocolate milk...! Perhaps, in part.

It seems we grew closer and closer as the years ticked by. As I look at the photos on this site, I feel a deep sadness at his inevitable passing and I feel very happy to have known and loved him.

Love,
Betsy 

Thank you Uncle for your incredible smile that completely lit up your face, your brilliant mind always wanting to learn and understand, our conversations which were always mentally invigorating, and mostly, for the creative projects you invited me be a part of and shared with me while I was growing up and spending most of my childhood summers at yours and Eileen's home ... particularly photography, sculpture, and computers ... all of which I am quite involved in to this day! And on we both go ...