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Frank Steber, center, with son Rick (left) and Bill Fay.

A man with an impact

Family, friends celebrate Frank Steber's 90th birthday

WATKINS GLEN, May 8 -- The Watkins Glen Public Library was a busy place Saturday afternoon -- the site of Frank Steber's 90th birthday party.

Friends and family turned out in force for the event, greeting Frank, greeting his wife, Arlene -- who was transported to the party free of charge by Schuyler Transit from the Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility -- and greeting Frank's sons, Rick and Mike, along with Rick's wife Jean and other relatives.

Frank -- as always far younger looking than his years -- received the good wishes with warmth and sincerity, making the rounds of the scores of visitors. The library rarely sees such a hubbub.

Frank Steber has gained many friends across his 90 years -- and a great many admirers.

English teacher, yearbook advisor, author, columnist, role model -- Frank Steber has worn and continues to wear various hats.

His impact goes back ... way back, to when he was a young English teacher at Watkins Glen High School.

"That's where I first met him," says Jane Olafson of Watkins Glen (pictured at right), who moved away from the area for a good many years after high school, returned 10 years ago, and reconnected with her former teacher.

Jane has grown so close that she was among the planned speakers at Saturday's gathering.

"Mr. Steber was not only a good teacher," she said, "but someone we could be comfortable with and friends with."

Now, as an adult, she says that Frank and Arlene "have really been dear friends. He is truly my dearest friend in the world. He is like no other."

He is a man "who listens and cares," Jane added. "He is unmatched ... one of a kind."

A niece of Frank's, Kim Domenico, told the gathering that Frank has "filled the roles of husband, father and teacher admirably" -- and that one of the appealing things about him is that "his sense of humor is solidly intact after 90 years. He embraces life with an upbeat attitude."

She outlined his path -- including military service, "college on the GI Bill, and thirty-plus years as a teacher of English, mostly here in Watkins Glen. He could have done anything, but he chose to work in a field dedicated to literature."

He is loyal to literature, she said, and "has another loyalty, to the local community. It's a pretty unusual thing, to stay in one community your entire adult life."

He adheres to old-fashioned principles, she said, an example we all should follow.

"Thank you for your simple, wise and real values," she said to Frank. "No wonder you and Arlene are loved by so many people. I look forward to gathering again at your 100th birthday party."

Daughter-in-law Jean -- who with Arlene helped organize the party -- said she is "proud and thankful to be in this family. Dad doesn't want this day to be all about him, though." It was also about Arlene.

"If you're the captain, Dad," said Jean Steber, "then she's the rudder."

"More like the admiral!" someone yelled out, causing a hearty round of laughter.

Son Rick also spoke, noting that "to be 90 is something really special. Life is about attitude, and Dad is a man with a great attitude. Above all, I think he's been a gentleman and a scholar ... a man of genuine concern, not a superficial guy."

His father, he said, "is also a guy with an encyclopedic knowledge. I have more senior moments than he does."

Rick noted his father's writing prowess following retirement from teaching at 62 -- many years worth of columns for the local weekly newspaper, and two books, Seneca Dawn and Seneca Sunrise, the latter about Frederick Davis and the settlement of Watkins Glen.

A third book, Seneca Hope -- about the 19th century artist James Hope -- is scheduled for publication soon, he said.

"After teaching," said Rick. "Dad moved on to writing and to the greater good of the community."

Frank Steber himself took the microphone after the speeches.

"I'm overwhelmed," he said. "Thanks for the generous words."

And he told a story that speaks to the matter of attitude. He was working on a newpaper article years ago -- in the 1990s -- about a man named Jimmy Frank, at the time an owner of clothing stores.

"I saw Jimmy on his 100th birthday," said Frank. "He was sitting in a chair, in a suit and tie, reading the Financial Section of The New York Times."

Frank interviewed him, gathering facts for that article.

The next day, at the newspaper office, a worker there mentioned to Steber how Jimmy had "come in the year before, on his 99th birthday, and said he wanted to renew his subscription to the paper."

But Jimmy Frank didn't want it for one year; he wanted it for five years.

Frank Steber smiled as his audience chuckled.

"As it turned out," said Steber, "Jimmy collected on that subscription. He lived to 105."

Photos in text:

Top: Frank Steber with Michaela Olafson, daughter of good friend Jane Olafson.

Second: Jane Olafson addressing the gathering.

Third: Jim Guild, left, pays his respects to Frank Steber. Steber's daughter-in-law, Jean, is in the red dress in the background.

Fourth: Steber with Judy Phillips, the high school yearbook editor back in 1957, and recently mayor of Watkins Glen.

Bottom: Steber reacts as the people at his party sing "Happy Birthday."

These photos on display at the party show Frank and Arlene Steber in much younger days.

Among the partygoers were Ken Wilson, left, and Rev. Michael Hartney, right, speaking here to retired Judge William Ellison.

Frank Steber with wife Arlene, in chair, after she was brought to the party by Schuyler Transit.

Among the speakers: Frank Steber's son Rick, right, and Rick's wife Jean (left).

Friends Jane Olafson and Frank Steber.

A Watkins Glen High School Yearbook meeting, circa 1957. Frank Steber was the advisor, and Judy Haughey (later Phillips) the editor. From left: Jim Mason, Judy Haughey, Frank Steber, and Joan Potter.