Charles Augustus Steinman

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Carl McNair and Tommy West on August 28, 2010:

Our classmate, Charles Steinman, was laid to rest with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday morning, August 26, 2010. Charles passed away in his home-town of Wheeling, WV, on May 14, 2010, just prior to our 55th Reunion, following a severe stroke incurred almost three years earlier on August 20, 2007. Charles is survived by Martha, his loving wife of 55 years, high school sweetheart and OAO through his four years at West Point, followed by marriage on graduation day, June 7, 1955. Fellow companymate in K1 and groomsman/saber bearer at his wedding, Joe Franklin, served as the Class LCA and assisted Martha and the family with all the arrangements and reception at the Fort Myer Officers Club following the interment. Family and friends from far and wide attended the service and reception following to pay their respects to Charles, who fought the good fight through the years of his crippling and terminal illness. Particularly touching during the services was the singing of, "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" by the six grandchildren - who had come together for this sad occasion. Without prior rehearsal due to time and distance, the grandchildren sang the old hymn beautifully - a cappella in the Old Post Chapel at Fort Myer. The Eulogy was delivered by his son, Charles Steinman II, who chronicled his dad's career, love for his family and West Point - a most fitting tribute to Charles and his distinguished career in the Field Artillery and Ordnance Corps. Charles was laid to rest in Section 48, an older and very beautiful section of Arlington, adjacent to the Amphitheatre and Tomb of the Unknowns, where their infant daughter, Celeste, who passed away in Germany in 1961, was interred almost a half century ago. The sun shone brightly over Arlington on Thursday as the flag was folded by the casket bearers, the final salute was fired and Taps echoed across the landscape of that hallowed ground, resting place of over 300,000 of our nation's finest. Army Chaplain (LTC) Godfrey pronounced the benediction and the Arlington Lady presented Martha with a personal note from the Chief of Staff of the Army expressing the condolences and thanks of a grateful nation. The Class of 1955 has now bid farewell to yet another classmate, "one of our very own", with the dignity and honors all deserve in the defense of our nation. May we remember Charles Steinman and his dedicated wife, Martha, who sat by his side these past three years, comforting and caring through his critical illness, and the ten children, grandchildren and great-grandchild who likewise nurtured and supported the father and grandfather they loved and cherished. It was a sad day indeed for the Steinman family, with many tears in evidence, but truly a day of Celebration of the Life of COL Charles A. Steinman, USA, Retired. May he now rest in honored glory for all eternity. Special thanks are due Joe and Connie Franklin for their support and service here in the National Capital Region as LCA, companymate and lifelong friends of Charles and Martha Steinman. Thanks also to Joe and Maree Skaff, also a fellow K-1 companymate, who assisted the family as the LCA back home in West Virginia with local services there. Faithfully submitted, Carl McNair and Tommy West 26 August 2010

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