He and Lora, his wife of 68 years, had 11 children, 46 grandchildren and 36 great – grandchildren. He was born in Kriens, Switzerland on October 22, 1931. His family immigrated to the United States when he was 16 years old, and settled in Whittier, California.
His father, John along with Sepp Benedictor, built Holiday Hill Ski Lift now called Mountain High East. He graduated from Whittier High School, and years later from UCLA with degrees in Business and Hospital Administration. In 1956, he married Lora Lombardi, and they moved to Wrightwood and he worked at the ski lift. He served in the Reserve Army as a first lieutenant. He and Lora lived at Fort Benning, Georgia for a time. After that he became a Hospital Administrator at Tulare Kings County Hospital, and at San Gabriel Community Hospital. In 1961, he bought Holiday Hill from his Dad and brothers, and he and Lora returned to Wrightwood to live with their growing family. He started the children’s ski program at Wrightwood Elementary School. He served 3 terms on the school board there.
After 21 years, he sold the ski lift and invested in building post offices and raising race horses. One of his horses, Creative Cause, was in the Kentucky Derby in 2012. He enjoyed playing golf with his friends at Crystalaire Country Club. He had joy in his later years, watching his grandchildren and great- grandchildren come to visit and play in his backyard. He was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Wrightwood, California.
He was preceded in death by his son, Michael. He is survived by his wife, Lora, and his children Eric, Mary, John, Teresa, Katherine, Andrea, Heinz, Susanna, Jeffrey and Thomas who will greatly miss him.
To honor his memory, a Rosary will take place at Our Lady of the Snows on Friday, Oct. 18th at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be at Saint Junipero Serra in Phelan at 10:00 am on Saturday Oct. 19th with a Reception to follow at The Wrightwood Place. After, the family will attend the Burial at 4:00 pm at Mt. View Cemetery in San Bernardino.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared for the family at:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/san-bernardino-ca/heinz-steinmann-12020646/add-memory
