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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1998)
fTîTSJÎTlnews sA K Y D eath of a H ero A tragic accident claims the life of social justice activist Charles Steele by Inga Sorensen Those credentials would bloat many a head, here were occasions when Lake Oswego resident Donna Saffir but not Chuck’s, say those who knew him. “He was totally without pretense," Saffir admittedly went off on those who maligned gay and lesbian people. says. Indeed. The Steeles seemed to enjoy life’s “1 remember doing a radio pro basics: family, community and nature. gram and someone called in and said, ‘Do you Materialism and attitude were not in the mix. know, Donna, what your son does? Do you know Steele was active in the National Audubon about the unhealthy behaviors he engages in?’ ” Society and was a member of the Sierra Club. recounts Saffir, who is president of the Portland According to Bliss, the Steeles first met chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of while on a Sierra Club backpacking trip in Lesbians and Gays. California. Their enthusiasm for the outdoors “My immediate response was to slam down never faltered. the phone. Those kinds of remarks could really In 1987, the duo moved from Minnesota to get me going,” she continues, with an easy Ashland, where they became immersed in com laugh. “In the past, I responded with comments munity activities. like: ‘Bigot...blah, blah, blah.’ " When the string of anti-gay ballot initiatives In the past, that is. Now Saffir is more likely was launched in Oregon beginning in 1988, the to gently guide a person through a process that, Steeles—who have two lesbian daughters— while rarely culminating in agreement, at least were out front working to extinguish anti-gay resonates with the more fulfilling sense that sub ignorance, says Mitzi Henderson, a California stantive dialogue has occurred—a sense that resident who has known the Steeles since 1986. both sides were actually listening to one another. “They were among the first to be out there “Chuck had such enormous compassion, not fighting,” says only for those in the gay "To his family and friends, Henderson, who was and lesbian community, national PFLAG presi but also for those who Chuck Steele undoubtedly was dent from 1992 to 1996. didn’t understand homo a hero all the time. What they “They were courageous sexuality,” she says. “The and at the same time way he could reach out may not be aware of is that he warm. and connect with special. people WgS g /|e f0 fg f a re ; / gf gc fgg " Cherie Garland is the was very very former president of The way 1 respond is dif- T ferent because of his — /ro/n //re Ashland Daily ' Tidings p"sue, Vall,cv PFLAp ** bhe has known the example. Saffir is referring to Ashland resident Charles “Chuck” Steele, 73, who died April 17 when the camper van he was riding in rolled over north of Medford. Steele’s wife of four decades, Candace, was driving the vehicle. The couple was headed to the coast to celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary. Candace, who was injured in the accident, was released from the hospital April 19. The Steeles are known for their seemingly tireless work on behalf of social justice issues, including gay and lesbian causes. Chuck Steele was active in, among others, PFLAG, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), the Jackson County Human Rights Coalition and the American Friends Service Committee. He was an outspoken supporter of gay, lesbian and bisexual rights and testified before several local and state government committees, univer sity forums and service clubs. Those who knew the couple say Chuck and Candace were near-perfect complements—she being the more fevered and extroverted, while he was the undertone who got things done with a quiet grace and even temperament. “He was a dear sweet man and very intelli gent, and yet he didn’t possess a bit of arrogance,” says Anne Bliss, a former Portland PFLAG presi dent who has known the Steeles since 1993. On paper, Charles Steele’s professional histo ry is impressive. He served as a U.S. Army radio technician during World War II. Following the war, he earned advanced degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois and in computer science from Stanford University. He published numerous technical papers and is the author of Numerical Computation of Electric and Magnetic Fields, a reference volume for pro fessionals. He was a member of the Magnetic Society, Eta Kappa Nu, an honorary electrical engineering society, and a lifetime member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. Steeles for nearly a decade and says Chuck had a “fire in the belly” when it came to gay issues. “But it wasn’t a fire that would singe the hair off your head,” she tells Just Out. “It was a par ticular determination. He was a very gentle, patient man who could sit and talk for hours if that’s what it took.” Garland also describes Chuck and Candace as “a real team.” “She had a presence and was outspoken,” Garland says. “Chuck was more in the back ground but was always there with her and ready with wisdom.” In an April 21 editorial, the Ashland Daily Tidings ran a piece headlined “Farewell to a hero.” It read, in part: “Ashland lost a hero last week.... If a hero is someone who can be count ed upon to seek justice and fairness for all, then Chuck Steele’s role in PFLAG...was a hero making part. “The father of two lesbian daughters, Chuck was an outspoken supporter of gay rights and was an active, public participant in PFLAG, march ing in parades and acting as a spokesperson.... “To his family and friends, Chuck Steele undoubtedly was a hero all the time. What they may not be aware of is that he was a hero to the rest of us, too. Our condolences and best wishes go out to his family today." Survivors, in addition to his wife, include three daughters: Danae Steele of University Place, Wash.; Heidi Steele of San Francisco; Heather Steele of Santa Cruz, Calif.; and a grandchild. Memorial contributions may be made to Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, l ¡01 14th St. NW, Suite 1030, Washington, DC 20005; Rogue Valley Monthly Meeting of Religious Society of Friends, PO Box 779, Ashland, OR 97520; the Nature Conservancy, 1815 N Lynn St., Arlington, VA 22209. ■ „ ... * Patient Professional Service 2324 SE Division * Superior Quality 238-1523 X * Enormous Selection * Home Decor * Bi-level Fine Art Gallery * Close to Home * Owner Operated mon-sat 10-6 FRAMING. 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