Harold "Hank" Edward Steere

Harold Edward (Hank) Steere, age 93, of Columbia, Missouri passed away on Thursday, September 29, 2022. A visitation for Hank will be held Saturday, October 8, 2022 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with funeral services at 11:00 am, both at at First Baptist Church, Columbia. Interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Columbia.

Harold Edward (Hank) Steere was born on July 15, 1929, in Omaha, Nebraska to Harold Sr. and Marjorie Maguire Steere. The family later moved to Boonville and he graduated from Boonville High School in 1947. He attended Central College, now Central Methodist College, and earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology in 1951. He later earned a Master's degree in Education on the G.I. Bill. He was stationed in Germany during the Korean War and married his college sweetheart, Joyce Sue Farrar, shortly after his return on September 6, 1953. They enjoyed 61 wonderful years together until Joyce's passing in 2014.

Legend has it that he was once known as Hammerin' Hank, the Hurling History Professor from Hickman High. According to an article in the Columbia Tribune, "he was a power pitcher with a strong back, wide shoulders and a loose, strong arm. His powerful hands also made him one of Central Missouri's best semi-pro hitters". He was even voted Most Valuable Player during the state tournament one year.

His lifelong dedication to the education of young people began in the late '50s when he accepted a position teaching History at Hickman High School and later served as a guidance counselor and Assistant Principal before becoming Assistant Superintendent for Instruction for Columbia Public Schools in 1962. He spent 22 years in a position he truly loved, mentoring many students and faculty along the way. When he retired in 1984, he didn't stay idle long. He started his second career with the Missouri North Central Association with his mentor, Bob Shaw. They traveled all over evaluating school districts and determining their accreditation status. He retired as Associate State Director in 2000. After his second retirement, he volunteered at Douglass High School and Russell Boulevard Elementary, and also taught adults how to read in association with the Literacy Action Group in Columbia.

Hank was well known for his dedication to service. He was elected the first president of Boonslick Kiwanis in 1966. He and Joyce were very active at First Baptist Church which they joined after their marriage in 1953. He taught Sunday school, served as a deacon, volunteered with the youth group, led a weekly men's prayer breakfast, and gave a ride to some of the more senior members of the church every Sunday for years.

He is survived by his son, Andy (Carrie) of Columbia; his daughter, Charlene Henry of Manchester, Connecticut; grandson, Brian (Jennifer) Steere and their children, Connor and Olivia of Columbia; granddaughter, Jessica (Matt) Haake and their children, Bailey and Atlas of Lincoln, Nebraska; granddaughter, Becky (Michael) Lindenmuth of Kansas City and their son due in November 2022; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Nikki; his brother-in-law, Jack Brown; his wife, Joyce; and his daughter, Elizabeth Loesch.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at The Terrace and Cedarhurst Senior Living for their dedication to Hank's care over the past few years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the Samaritan Fund at First Baptist Church.