Obituary of Rick Steffler

Richard “Rick” Steffler, Husband, Father, Friend, Teacher, and Coach, dies at age 55. After a hard fought battle with cancer, Rick Steffler passed away in the arms of his family on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at Lisaard House Hospice in Cambridge. Rick began a long love affair with teaching when he started in the English Department at Strathroy District Collegiate Institute in the fall of 1987. Though he planned to stay only a few years his love of Strathroy grew quickly; he remained in English at SDCI -- later as department head -- the rest of his career. Through the years he helped many students to learn the joys of literature and the arts, be it in the classroom, on the debate team, or on the stage. Rick’s greatest joy was teaching and coaching, nothing gave him greater satisfaction than seeing his students, players, and teams improve. He was an active coach for the past 25 years with Strathroy Minor Hockey; he was also involved in coaching many of the SDCI athletic teams, including Women’s Hockey, Women’s golf, and Men’s Soccer. He was so proud to have the Steffler Scholarship celebrating achievement in creative writing, drama, music and visual arts established this year at SDCI in his honour. Rick leaves behind the love of his life, his wife Kathleen of over 28 years, his children Michael (Alyssa), Matthew (Angie), and Holly (Chris). Rick was beloved son-in-law to Sharon Cleminson (Bill Malone), pre deceased by father-in-law Bob Cleminson, cherished brother-in-law to Colleen (nee Cleminson) and Joe Kim, Beth (nee Cleminson) and Doug Fisher, loving uncle to Megan, Eric, Samantha, and Bobby, and Godfather to Megan, John, and Katherine. “Ricky” as he was fondly known during family trips to the cottage also enjoyed the love of Larry and Janet Steffler -- who he considered brother and sister -- and their family. He is also survived by his parents Bill and Kathy Steffler, his sisters Mary Steffler and Terry (nee Steffler) and brother-in-law Cam Sill. Rick also leaves behind so many friends and colleagues from his years coaching and teaching in Strathroy, all of whom have been a great support in his final days. There will be a casual visitation at All Saints Parish in Strathroy on Friday, September 23rd, 2016 from 2-4pm and from 7-9pm. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 am with 1 hour of visitation preceding the mass celebrated at All Saints. A reception for family and friends will follow. Cremation will take place with interment at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations to support the London Regional Cancer Program (LRCP) as well as the Lisaard House Hospice. Both organizations did so much to help Rick and his family during his fight. Arrangements entrusted to DENNING’S OF STRATHROY. The mass will be live streamed and may be viewed on Facebook at Denning’s of Lambton-Middlesex. Share a memory at www.denning.ca 519 245-1023.