Death date: Feb 3, 2023
Albert Edward (Ed) Steele Jr, 78, of Lake Frederick, Va. went home to be with his Lord and Savior on, February 3, 2023. Born in 1944 in Washington PA, the son of the late Albert E. Steele Sr and mother, Alice Pearl. In 1965 he ma Read Obituary
I had the honor and privilege of having Mr. Steele as my AP Bio teacher at Broad Run. I remember my junior was a pivotal year not only because I was applying to colleges, but I was also struggling with depression which I did not know how to express or communicate at the time. It was a very distressing season of life and I felt lost.
Mr. Steele's AP Bio class was one of the few things I really enjoyed and was a highlight of my entire high school career. I loved biology but I loved how he made the class so much more enjoyable and fun. He also wrote my letter of recommendation for JMU and I remember he had encouraged me to not give up and keep pursuing my goals.
Thank you so much, your legacy as a teacher/coach left a mark on me. Because of you, I am on my way to becoming an RN and found my calling in healthcare.
Sending my condolences to his loved ones.
Shirley
Mr. Steele was my Chemistry teacher my junior year at Peary High School. I was not a good student (but didn't cause trouble in class). Lucky for me, I was on the wrestling team and Mr. Steele was a former wrestling coach at the school - so he tolerated my lack of academic motivation more than most teachers.
We had a good relationship and we often bantered back and forth (friendly, of course) about who would win in a wrestling match. Some of my classmates ran with this idea and after the wrestling season, they promoted the match between "Hawk" Healy and "Stainless" Steele. Flyers were placed all around the school and we had a small crowd in the wrestling room to witness the match. Out of respect for Mr. Steel, I will not go into the details of the match. Let's just say that I was still very much in wrestling shape and Mr. Steele was not.
He was a great teacher and he cared so much about his students. While I did not absorb much Chemistry (again, my issue, not his), his classroom discussions about his Florist business were fascinating to me and helped me a great deal in my business career.
I know he will be missed by all.
Condolences to the family.
Best, Tom Healy, class of 1975, Robert E. Peary High School
"Winning isn't important, it's fun. The kids are what's important."
Mr. Steele was involved with wrestling at Peary HS before my 3 years there. Mr. Steele was my chemistry teacher in 11th grade. I was a terrible chemistry student and sat at the back table with three friends, right after lunch. Mr. Steele was a storyteller and I liked him well enough to take advanced biology my senior year. I have spent 43 years teaching, subbing and coaching in MCPS – teaching Biology and AP Biology, being a Science Chair, plus coaching Wrestling, Poms, and Field Hockey. Ed Steele is one of the two teachers who had the greatest impact on my teaching style and career, along with Bob Clarke my modern world history teacher. I obviously think about Ed’s voice today, but I've heard it many many days over the last 50 years, especially whenever my AP Bio kids did the fruit fly lab. My final paper plate award as a field hockey coach was, “Best Storyteller”.
In the fall of 1985, I took some Whitman wrestlers over to the Bull Run Preseason Tournament. In a hallway there, I happened to run into Coach Steele. I had not seen him in years. He was back teaching science and coaching wrestling. Coach Steel asked if we could get Whitman together with Broad Run for a scrimmage, and we arranged one. That was the beginning of several years of great scrimmages and dual meets in the Whitman Dome. When we found out that one of our Whitman wrestlers, the late Mike Thomas, was leaving after 10th grade, there was consolation in that Mike would be wrestling for Coach Steele at Broad Run. Sadly, Mike was killed in a car accident during BRHS football tryouts. Long after Ed stopped coaching wrestling and become a science department chair, I could read about him every spring in the Post as his softball team advanced through the Virginia playoffs. What a legacy Ed leaves!
Jim Douglas, Peary HS Class of 1975.
I was lucky enough to play softball with Coach Steele at Broad Run back in the early 2000’s, and had him as a teacher for AP Bio. He was such a great mentor and I will always remember him and the positive influence he had on my life. He inspired such confidence in me and in others, and to this day our softball team members still share a bond. Sending love and condolences to the family ❤️
Linda and family, Rick and I send our deepest sympathy to you on Eddie's passing. I am thankful that we had a few minutes at the class reunion to share our beliefs. I treasure that memory.
We send our prayers as you grieve your loss but celebrate Eddie's life. We were blessed to know him.
Linda and Rick Kelvington
I had the pleasure of having Mr. Steele as my Chem teacher in my junior and senior years of high school when he was at Peary High in Rockville. He was such a nice man teaching a not so nice subject. I remember him always telling us stories of his young family. I know he was responsible for the A’s I received in my chem classes in college. See, Mr . Steele, we were listening!
My condolences to his family on their loss. Rest in Peace, Mr. Steele and thank you.
We will always remember Ed's wonderful smile and sense of humor. God bless Linda and family at this difficult time. May God welcome Ed with open arms and love. Bill and Pat Vincent
Dear Alice and Donna, I am so sorry to hear of Eddies passing. Please know you are in my heart and prayers during your time of grief.
I remember Eddie as we played at your house in west end and what a cutie he was! Remember the good times.
Sincerely!
Shirley Szopo
