John Fremont Steel III ’54

John Fremont Steel III ’54, M.D., of La Jolla, California, passed away peacefully at home on August 29. He was an athlete, naval aviator, surgeon, passionate conservative, devoted husband, and loving father who will be profoundly missed. John grew up in Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania. He attended Shady Side Academy and then Dartmouth, where he was involved with Alpha Delta Phi, Sphinx, Newman Club, baseball, and ROTC. John later served as on the Dartmouth board of trustees. After Dartmouth he became an aviator in the U.S. Navy flying the FJ-3 Fury fighter jet; he maintained very close friendships with the “Hoser” flight squadron throughout his life. After the Navy John attended Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, where he married Sue Maynard and they raised children John IV, Kevin, Michael, Kimberly, and Bruce. John was passionate throughout his life about sports, playing basketball, baseball, and football growing up and later playing tennis regularly. It was on the tennis court that John met Suella Harris, who became his second wife. He became stepfather to Chas and Gil. He enjoyed the symphony and poetry by Robert Frost, played duplicate bridge until his last days, and never passed up a pour of Crown Royal. John is survived by his wife; sister; children and their mother; grandchildren Stephanie, Jack, Patrick, Kevin Jr., Michael Jr., Christina, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Sydney, John, and Kathleen; and great-grandchildren Michael III, Elizabeth, and Joshua.