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<em>Charles Augustus Steinman</em> was born in Benwood, WV on 30 Apr 1932, to Herbert Charles and Eleanor Anna Faulstick Steinman. A graduate of Union High School in Benwood, Chuck’s academic achieve­ments earned him an appointment to West Point, where he joined the Class of 1955 in Company K-1. His classmates remember him for his easy going, upbeat, friendly attitude. He had an infectious laugh coupled with a relaxed, yet “gung-ho,” disposition. Known as “K-1’s juice hive,” he helped his electricity-challenged classmates through the perils of potential electrocutions and turnout exams.</p>
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Chuck honored a West Point tradi­tion when he and Martha Bartolovic were married during June Week. He became an Artillery officer, spending three years at a Nike site in Bristol, PA. At his next assign­ment, Baumholder, Germany, 2nd Artillery, he commanded an airborne Artillery battery. In Baumholder, Chuck and Martha were neighbors of Don and Bernice Gransback, also of Company K-1. Bernice relates that Chuck was returning their borrowed baby buggy as she was beginning labor pains and preparing to drive herself to the hospital in Neubrucke, Germany. Chuck drove her to the hospital, where the German staff as­sumed Chuck was the father. They could not understand, despite lengthy explanations by Chuck in German and Bernice in English, that Chuck was just a “best man” helping out while his West Point roommate was in the field. Over 50-plus years later, Don says he can still see Chuck laughing while happily retelling this story!</p>
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Chuck transferred to the Ordnance Corps in 1962 and was assigned to First Army. Earning an MBA from Kent State in 1967, he was elected to membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, an honorary society for excellence in business administration. He then completed the Army Logistics Management Course and was designated a “career logistician.”</p>
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Chuck was exposed to Agent Orange when he was assigned to Military Assistance Command-Vietnam in 1967–68. This ex­posure compromised his health and eventu­ally led to a hemorrhagic stroke. Returning from Vietnam, he was assigned to Cameron Station, VA. In 1971, he returned to Germany as the maintenance plant com­mander in Schwaebisch Gmuend, and then as the deputy commander, Army Depot Kaiserslautern. Promoted to colonel in 1976, Chuck’s last station was Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL, where he retired in 1977. Among his military decorations are the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star.</p>
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Upon retirement, Chuck was employed by Frank E. Basil, Inc., and later, McDonnell Douglas Services, both in Saudi Arabia. Returning to the United States in 1987, Chuck and Martha made their home in Wheeling, WV, where he assumed the position of director of business services at West Virginia Northern Community College, serving on the board of trustees for many years. Preceded in death by an infant daughter, Celeste Ann, Chuck is survived by his wife Martha; his three children: Charles A. (San Diego, CA), Dr. Sharon Steinman (Pittsburgh, PA), and Ellen Donnert (Lebanon, TN); and his broth­ers: Fred (Asheville, NC), Herb (Lebanon, MO), and Jack (Madison, AL). He was blessed with eight grandchildren, one great-grandson, two step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.</p>
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A man of many talents, Chuck was an award-winning amateur photographer with an added interest in high fidelity electron­ics. After his retirement from WVNCC, he built computers for his family and always was available to neighbors and friends to solve computer problems. Chuck used these skills to create a compilation of West Point music prior to our 50th Reunion. The CDs, presented to everyone in our class, became treasured keepsakes, reminding us of the eternal bonds between each classmate and West Point. In addition, he became a re­spected genealogist, greatly expanding work previously accomplished by his son.</p>
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During his life, Chuck was an honest and modest man who carried himself with dig­nity. Always ready to give credit and support to those who worked above him, with him, and for him, he was an inspirational leader who earned the admiration and devotion of those around him. In business, he was a mas­ter troubleshooter, willing to tackle problems others found too difficult. Yet, throughout it all, including his disabling illness, he main­tained a sense of humor. Always treating oth­ers with consideration and kindness, even his private language was above reproach. To his last breath, he remained completely in love with his lifelong sweetheart Martha, his wife of 55 years.</p>
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Living with the effects of a catastrophic stroke was not an easy battle, but Chuck and his family handled it with dignity and faith. During his hospitalization, Martha wrote a poem, now dedicated to Chuck’s memory. Titled “I Am One of the Wounded,” it in­cludes these lines:</p>
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<em>And, yes, I hear!</em></p>
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<em>I hear those white-coat whispers.</em></p>
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<em>Aiming to erase this life I live,</em></p>
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<em>They give no respite from their wisdom, Proclaiming:</em></p>
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<em>I have nothing left to give.</em></p>
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<em>Then a voice—another voice—her voice,</em></p>
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<em>With me from youth through not-so-tender years,</em></p>
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<em>Shames these fools to quiet desperation.</em></p>
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<em>And, I feel. Oh! How I feel her tears</em></p>
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<em>And bear her cry</em></p>
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<em>That God, and God alone,</em></p>
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<em>Shall appoint the hour in which I die.</em></p>
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One of our great and beloved soldiers, who died as the result of exposure to Agent Orange, Chuck is greatly missed. His family, his classmates, and his many friends mourn his passing. Be thou at peace, old friend.</p>
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<em>—His family & Company K-1 classmates.</em></p>
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