Willard Rhodes Steger

Red was born on the 25th of November 1922, in Abilene, Texas, to Clarence Monroe Steger and Maud Rhodes Steger. He served as an Officer in the Merchant Marines during WWII. Afterwards he started working at private clubs. He held positions in Anthony and Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Abilene, as Manager. He moved to Oak Hills Country Club, San Antonio, as Manager, from there he served as manager at what was then opening as Dallas Athletic Country Club, Dallas. He served as Manager of the Corpus Christi County Club for six years before coming to Houston in 1960, to manage River Oaks Country Club until l989 which was mandatory retirement age.

During his time in the club industry, he strove to improve the professional status of club managers through education. He was very active in the Lone Star Chapter of Club Managers, serving as it’s President two terms. He was active in the national Club Managers Association of America, (CMAA) serving as it’s President in 1987. He was also a Director, serving in many areas of responsibility, and a founding member of the association’s International Wine Society. While a Director of CMAA he was a team member of judges to assist the Strategic Air Command in selecting their best clubs. The Club Foundation was formed in 1988 with Red as Chairman. During his leadership $3million was realized in it’s Campaign of Excellence to financially support the development of club managers through education, outreach and research initiatives.

He was a member of Les Amis d’Escoffier, Le Chapitre de Houston, and on the Board, Le Comite Permanent. He was also a member of The Committee of Nine, a gastronomically centered group.

Red was first married to Patricia Lester, who preceded him in death. They had two sons, Patrick, surviving, and his wife Gwen, and Bob Steger (deceased). He has five grandchildren, Pamela, David, Damian and his wife Raixa, and Clark Steger and his wife Emily. He also has three great grandchildren, Desaray, Lauren and Noah Steger. He was currently married to Iris Stephans Steger, and with this union he gained a stepdaughter, Melisande Zook, and a grandson, William Zook.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o'clock this afternoon, Friday, the 1st of August, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the Rev. Laurens A. Hall, D.D., is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.

In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Red's. Memory be directed to the Conrad Hilton College, Attn : Miguel Cabrera, 229 C.N. Hilton Hotel & College, Houston, TX, 77204-3028. Please designate, Southwell, Steger Scholarship Fund.