Stephen E. Steidel

Stephen E. Steidel, 70, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away at home on June 28 after a lengthy struggle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a debilitating neurological condition.

Born on April 12, 1944, and brought up in Holbrook, Steve was the son of Leo and Anna (Jimmie, née Donovan) Steidel. After graduation from Sachem High School and Adelphi University, Steve joined the Suffolk County Police Department where his 24 years of service saw him appointed to several supervisory positions until his retirement as a detective captain in 1990. A graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, Steve also served as an adjunct instructor in criminal justice at Suffolk Community College.

Drawing on his experience as commander of the juvenile bureau, Steve next began a 15-year career as a law enforcement trainer with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Washington, D.C. He eventually became the Center’s Associate Director of Training and was involved in training thousands of officers nationwide in the investigation of missing children cases. While with the Center, Steve also co-authored and edited an investigative manual on missing children that the United States Department of Justice distributed to every police department in the nation.

After moving to Punta Gorda in 2000, Steve soon began a relationship with Edison State College’s Lifetime Learning Institute where he developed and presented popular courses on the American Presidents and the First Ladies.

Steve is survived by Fran, his wife of 49 years; daughters Debra Eve (Michael) Wall of Silver Spring, Md. and Lee Ann Steidel of New York City; a granddaughter, Lillian Wall; several cousins, nieces and nephews; and a large group of caring friends and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sara Toncelli.

In keeping with his wishes, arrangements have been made to donate Steve’s brain tissue to the University of Miami Brain Endowment Bank to help in the discovery of a treatment or cure for MSA.

A celebration of Steve’s life will be planned for a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice, or, a kindness passed on to someone in need.

Family and friends are invited to visit www.kays-ponger.com to leave condolences for the family and sign the online guestbook.

This is a paid notice.