Necrology

Jeffrey Steinkamp '53

Jan. 12, 1932-Aug. 26, 2023

Jeffrey Steinkamp ’53 died on Aug. 26, 2023, in Lebanon, N.H. Born in Milford, Conn., on Jan. 12, 1932, he grew up in Scarsdale, N.Y., and came to Hamilton from Scarsdale High School. On the Hill, he majored in mathematics and history. A member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, he served as its president during his senior year. Jeff was a singer and joined the College Glee Club during his first two years and the College Choir beginning in his sophomore year.

Following graduation, Jeff enlisted in the Naval Reserve. After completing the Officers Candidate Program in Long Beach, Calif., he served two years of active duty as a lieutenant, junior grade, on the destroyer USS Ross based in Norfolk, Va. He later noted that the only time he did not feel seasick in rough weather was in the fall of 1954, when his ship plowed through the tail end of Hurricane Hazel. The reason? He was too scared to notice the ship’s motion. His service ended in March 1970, when he retired with the rank of lieutenant.

Returning to Scarsdale at the end of his active duty, Jeff joined a real estate firm in 1957, beginning a career that lasted until his retirement in 1992. He established a new residential real estate company with a partner in 1960: Steinkamp & Britton, Inc. He threw himself into his work, often toiling seven days a week. 

In Scarsdale, Jeff was a member of the Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Co. #2 and for a period was secretary of the Scarsdale Town Club, a men’s organization that formulated the three-non-partisan form of village government — that is, three town councilors elected on a non-partisan basis — that other small communities later adopted. In 1967, following a fire that heavily damaged a church in Scarsdale, he helped rebuild it. 

His dedication to community service continued after he moved to Rochester, Vt., following his retirement. There, he was a member of the Rochester United Church of Christ, performed in a local mixed voice choir, and served on the board of directors and development committee of Gifford Medical Center in the nearby town of Randolph. Jeff skied downhill at Killington Mountain Ski Resort into his 80s, after which he was content to ski cross-country. He golfed at the Rutland (Vt.) Country Club. He enjoyed photographing the Vermont countryside and, claiming that he never learned to cook, not surprisingly liked fine restaurants. Jeff also maintained close ties with several of his classmates.

For Jeff, it was the “stimulation of the liberal arts curriculum” at Hamilton that had an enduring impact upon him, as did the lasting friendships made at the College. Courses in art appreciation and embryology as well as singing in the College Choir under both Berrian Shute and John Baldwin constituted other fond memories. Jeff made it a point to travel to New York City in 2000 to sing at the John L. Baldwin Memorial dinner. He and several classmates constituted the oldest members of the choir on that occasion. 

Jeff, a Joel Bristol Associate, was a generous supporter of the College, establishing a life income gift in the form of a charitable remainder annuity trust in 1992, along with other regular contributions. When it matured, it funded a professorship and scholarship to honor John Baldwin. He served on his class’s committee and as its gift committee chair.

Jeffrey Steinkamp is survived by several cousins and numerous friends.

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