Arthur E. Steves died Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at the age of 80 in Waterford, Pa. He was born on July 30, 1936 in Juva, PA.
Mr. Steves graduated from Union City High School and Slippery Rock University. He was a teacher and coach at Fort Leboeuf High School for 26 years (1963-1989). As the Fort Leboeuf Wrestling Head Coach, he led his team to a lifetime record of 325-80-7 and three state wrestling titles. Coach Steves was inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1989, The Metropolitan Erie Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1991, The National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2001, and The Union City Wall of Achievement in 2009. Coach Steves was placed on the Fort Leboeuf Wall of Fame, and Fort Leboeuf also named its new wrestling room in his honor in December of 2014.
Art is survived by his wife of 55 years, Phyllis Steves; three children, Russell Steves of Summitt, NJ, Matthew Steves and his wife Kim of Warrenton, VA, and Tricia Steves of Waterford, PA;? and three grandchildren, Ryan Steves, Collin Steves, and Megan Steves.
A memorial in Art Steves’ honor will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at the Fort Leboeuf High School Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.).
Flowers for the memorial may be sent to the Fort Leboeuf High School, 931 North High Street, Waterford, PA 16441. For donations, please send to The Fort Leboeuf Foundation P.O. Box 810 Waterford, PA.
Talk about a man well loved and cherished. He made me feel like I was his favorite (he said it a lot to me as well). He would light up a room when he was in it and you were drawn to his booming voice and special pronunciations of words. I loved to give him a hug and smell the tobacco on his clothes. He is and will be remembered for a long time due to the many people’s lives he has been a part of.
God Bless!
Phyllis —God’s blessings to you and your children. Love Fran & Al O’Connell
So saddened by the loss of a great man. He always made me smile and his name an important one in my home growing up. Thinking of you all at this sad time. Prayers and love.
So sorry to hear of the news. My sympathies are with Coach Steve’s family. He was a great inspiration to the wrestling communities in Area 8 and District 10 and will be missed.
My deepest sympathy to you, Trish. May he rest in peace. Msgr. Tom Snyderwine.
Russ and family,
I was saddened to hear about Art’s passing. The coverage I saw spoke volumes about the high regard in which so many folks held him. He impacted so many lives and that will truly be his legacy.