Harold B. Steinberg, 98, peacefully passed away on April 29 at the home of his daughter and son-in-law.
Harold was born on Jan. 11, 1928, in Norfolk, Nebraska, to Joseph and Bessie Levine Steinberg. The family later moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where his sister, Elaine, was born, and eventually settled in Kansas City, Missouri, when he was about three years old.
In high school, Harold enjoyed sports and played catcher and outfielder on the baseball team. Alongside his studies and athletic pursuits, he also worked at Union Station, where he had the opportunity to meet celebrities passing through, including the great Jack Benny.
After graduation, Harold enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country for two years while stationed in the Philippines. With assistance from the G.I. Bill, Harold attended the University of Kansas, graduating with a degree in engineering. A member of the ZBT fraternity, he worked as an engineer for more than 40 years.
In 1961, Harold married the love of his life, Shirley Berkson Fishman. They shared a passion for travel and loved cruising and visiting countries all around the globe. They took that passion and turned it into a business, owning Accent on Travel for nine years. As a couple, they also enjoyed dancing.
Harold was a member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, the ROMEOs and a former member of Meadowbrook Country Club. Later in life, he was proud of his physical fitness, making sure to do 100 pushups a day well into his 90s. An active member of The J’s Heritage Center, he attended exercise classes and bowled in a league, achieving an average score in the 160s.
Harold was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Shirley, and is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Tammy and Arvin; his granddaughter and her husband, Heather and Andrew; and his two great-grandchildren, Oliver and Sophie. He will also be deeply missed by his special friend, Sandy Levin.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Mark Zwick, R.N. — Arvin’s brother — as well as Harold’s devoted caregivers, Virginia and Lou, and the Kansas City Hospice. Their care, compassion and dedication to Harold’s health and happiness in his later years meant so much and will always be deeply appreciated by the family.
Funeral services were held on May 3, at Louis Memorial Chapel, followed by burial in Rose Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org/kansascity), Kansas City Hospice (kchospice.org/donate) or to any charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
