They say there are a handful of people who change your life.  Mr. Steidle was one of those people for me.   His math class for 3 of my 4 years at ELHS did not just teach geometry, proofs and calculus but many life lessons.  His stories of being a minor league baseball player and always reaching higher were truly inspirational.  Reminding us that education opened numerous doors as opposed to a singular goal was also a mainstay of his teaching.  I have not quoted him since yesterday and I want to express my love for him to his family to let them know what a kind, positive and truly inspirational person he was in my life.  I only regret I did not get to say this to him personally.  

Rob Ward
ELHS, Class of 1977

Mr. Steidel was my geometry teacher at ELHS in 1977, and my brother John (Davis) in 1974. Long into adulthood John and I told stories of Mr Steidel’s class: “Walla walla” “Ying ying!” (hope you understand that reference!)

John went on to study math and science in college, his two academic and personal passions. I’m sure Mr Steidel loved the Rubik’s Cube and would have been pleased with John’s mastery of it. :-) 

John, sadly, died several years ago from a rare form of cancer, but I know he would join me in saying Mr Steidle touched our lives in an important way. We are grateful to have been his students.

Sincerely, 
Susan Davis (ELHS class of ‘79)

I had Mr Steidle for geometry at ELHS. One of my favorite classes. He was an excellent teacher, and so many of his sayings are still in my vocabulary. My children learned to work hard in school lest the end up at Joe’s Diner. He was also a colleague for my dad for many years, he will be missed. 

One thing he used to say when a proof was done well definitely fits the remembrance of a life well lived. Walla Walla Ying Ying (WEYY) Mr Steidle.

I'm so sorry to read of Mr. Steidle's passing!  I remember him fondly from my Pre-Calculus class my senior year at East Lansing High School.  He made the subject very understandable.  I would never have made it through my college Calculus classes without the background from what he taught me in Pre-Calculus.  Besides that, he was a very nice man!  (I was still at the stage where I didn't think about the fact that teachers have lives outside of school, so it is very interesting for me now to read about his musical and baseball interests.  I would have liked to have known him better!)

I was lucky enough to have Mr. Steidle for 3 of my 4 years of math classes at ELHS.  He was an excellent teacher. He would say "Do you want to be a super star, intergalactic problem solver on the problem solver team?", and "Do you want to build a bridge?" and so many other catch phrases to inspire us (I'm confident others have more memories of his stories and phrases told during math classes at ELHS).  I was literally thinking about him the day my dear ELHS friend texted me his obituary because I was swimming under several bridges and thinking about the truss calculations that were needed to design them and how I first took calculus from him.  Later in my life, I remember how I couldn't wait to tell him when I got my first job and became an engineer.  Sincere condolences to the Steidle family.  I was lucky to be his student.

Dear Barbara and Family,

I am so sorry for your loss.  I learned this morning from Professor Mike Schechter of Jim's recent passing.  I wanted to reach out to tell you I am thinking of you and sending my condolences.  I had the pleasure of reading about Jim’s amazing life and was filled with admiration and wonder for his broad interests, rich experiences, and quiet, sustained influence on his family, his students, and beyond.  What an inspiration from a life well-lived. 

In friendship,
Ruju Bhatt Srivastava
(I am a 1993 graduate of James Madison College and MSU and fondly remember my interactions with Barbara when she was Dean and Assistant Provost.  Barbara, I hope you are well, despite this obvious time of grief.  Sending you my affection and good wishes. – Ruju)

OBITUARY

James Steidle

April 28, 1930 – September 5, 2024

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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