Roland “Rol” Steinhauser, 72, of Hernando, FL, passed away March 3, 2016 under the care of Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast, Lecanto, FL. He was born in Chicago, IL on February 21, 1944 to the late Vernon Edward and Lillian Hildegard (Weiss) Steinhauser.
Rol was on the swim team at Harper High School and he attended Wayne State College in Wayne Nebraska where earned his Bachelor of Arts in Education. He met his future wife, Mary Margaret Hanson and they were married in Chicago in 1969.
Roland was a history teacher in the Chicago Public Schools for over 30 years. He was the Urban Fishing Program Coordinator with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources; a program that brought local children to the lakes and lagoons in the greater Chicagoland area, where he taught kids how to fish. It was his lifelong passion and his greatest joy.
He was an avid sportsman who loved the outdoors. He held several executive positions in the Midwest Muskie Club, and helped organize fishing tournaments, picnics and also raised money to stock game fish in several mid-western lakes. He one of the three founding members of the Illini Muskies Alliance. He was recognized by the Department of Natural Resources for his tireless work in preserving, protecting and enhancing natural resources. He was awarded the Outdoor Notebook Lifetime Achievement Award for “dedication and perseverance in introducing thousands to the sport of fishing.”
He moved to Florida in 2003. He continued to promote education and conservation, organizing and assisting with kids fishing events. His local memberships included the Loyal Order of the Moose, Lodge #2112, Inverness, FL; Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie #4194, Cedar Key, FL; and American Legion Post #237, Beverly Hills, FL.
Rol always used to say “If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. If you teach him to fish, he will eat for the rest of his lifetime.”. He dedicated his life to ensuring people could do so.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 47 years, Mary Steinhauser, in November of 2015, one daughter, Karen Margaret Steinhauser and one grandson, Sean O’Keeffe. He is survived by his daughters, Phyllis (Rodney Sweet) Steinhauser of Chicago, IL, Rebecca Quinn of Chesterton, IN, and Katherine (Michael) Erhardt of Chicago Ridge, IL; one brother, Gary Steinhauser of Lombard, IL; one sister, Phyllis Collins of Tinley Park, IL; grandchildren Kimberly and Georgia Erhardt of Chicago Ridge, IL, and Ian and Kathleen Quinn of Chesterton, IN.
Private cremation arrangements are under the care of Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness, FL. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast, P.O. Box 641270, Beverly Hills, FL. 34464
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