- Date Of Birth: July 6, 1943
- Date Of Death: August 16, 2022
- State: Idaho
Reverend Russell Eugene Steiner (Pastor Russ) of Melba, Idaho was born on July 6, 1943 in Denver, Colorado. He was the baby of four children born to Eugene and Bernice Steiner. God called His faithful servant, Russ, home on the morning of Tuesday August 16, 2022 at the age of 79.
Russ spent his youngest years living in Colorado. During the great blizzard of 1949 the family moved from Windsor, Colorado to Caldwell, Idaho where he attended Lincoln Elementary. In 1953 the family moved to Roseburg, Oregon in the middle of yet another blizzard. They settled in Roseburg and Russ graduated from Roseburg High School in 1961. At that point in time, he felt that God was calling him into ministry but he had no clear concept of what that might be. With no money to attend college and pursue this calling, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Oct. of 1961.
During his time in the Marine Corps Russ met Pat Olsen, the future Mrs.
Russ also served the high school as a small group facilitator for students for many years that met during lunch time. When the tragedy of the Twin Towers and Pentagon explosions occurred, Russ spent several days on campus being available to anyone who needed to talk about their concerns. He was the unofficial faculty counselor when tragedy struck the high school, such as the death of a student or faculty member.
For the past 41 years Russ has been a significant part of high school students and athletes in the state of Idaho, with 39 of those years involved as a part of athletics.
When the boys and girls state basketball championship games were set to open in 1996 at the Idaho Center, the tournament director asked Russ to be the public address announcer for such a grand event. So began a 25-year stint as the public address announcer at the State of Idaho Girl’s State Basketball SIC 5A tournament games and championship games for all classifications in the state.
As if all of this isn’t enough to keep one man busy, Russ also had many hobbies that he loved to share with friends and family. He loved his horses dearly and enjoyed riding in Owyhees and going on week long back country trips with friends. He was always up for a good fishing or hunting trip. Russ took great joy in knowing that he provided for his dear wife by building her a home for their retirement years. He spent many hours working on the lawn, pastures, waterfalls and out-buildings surrounding their home.
Russ is survived by his bride of 56 years, Pat Steiner of Melba of Idaho; his daughter and family – Pam, Wayne, Rachel and Lauren Davis of Nampa, Idaho; his son and family – Eric, Jennifer, Emma and Joshua Steiner of Nampa, Idaho; his brother John and Gladys Steiner of Rockville, Maryland; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and “grandchildren” from the Pugmire, Woodall and Dickard families; Anna, Allie and Andrew Herman; Cindy Reed; Mallory and Lemont Lincoln; and Kali and Kodi Adams. He is preceded in death by his parents Gene and Bernice Steiner; his sister Beverly Rooke; and his brother Bruce Steiner.
