Richard Harte Steele

Richard Harte “Dick” Steele, of Greensburg, was born on May 28, 1938, at Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg.  He was 87 at his death on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.  He was a son of the late Donald W. Steele and Anna Ruth Harte Steele Smith. 

Richard earned his bachelor’s degree in education from California State College and his master’s degree in safety education from Penn State, and he spent his life serving as a teacher for the Greensburg Salem School District.  He often said “if you do what you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life,” and he lived up to his own advice, doing what he loved – teaching – for over 38 years.  In those 38 years, he was a drivers education teacher at Greensburg Salem High School as well as working in the Greensburg Salem Athletic Department.  He loved teaching people how to drive so much that after retiring, he started his own business: Steele’s Driving School.  Even in retirement, he found ways to serve his community and continue to touch the lives of generations of new drivers in the Greensburg Area. 

When he was not teaching, Richard spent his time with his family and friends.  He loved taking his family to Ocean City, MD with his brother Don and Don’s family.  They vacationed in Ocean City for over 65 years, creating countless memories of fishing in the bay with Don, jumping waves in the ocean, and eating pizza at the Dough Roller or ice cream at Dumser’s.

Richard loved to golf and was a member of the Hannastown Golf Club for 45 years.  He took great pride in the beauty of the hibiscus flowers he grew in his garden, and he was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Greensburg.  As a result of the rich life he created and the communities to which he belonged, Richard saw the good in everything. 

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his first wife, Janet Wallace Steele on February 19, 1970; and his brother, Don Steele on October 20, 2023.  He is survived by his second wife, Patricia Melega Steele, of Greensburg; his children, Jennifer Loane (Bill), of King of Prussia, Richard Steele (Kristi), of Mount Pleasant, and Joyce Feenan (Pat), of Greensburg; seven grandchildren, Mike Loane (Amanda), Brian Loane, Julia Loane, Alyssa Mauck, McCall Feenan, Brett Steele, and Mailly Feenan; great grandson, Miles Loane; and an anticipated great-granddaughter. 

There will be no public visitation.  A funeral mass will be celebrated at 1:30 PM on Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 1011 Mount Pleasant Rd., Greensburg.  Please go directly to the church.  Interment is private.  LEO M. BACHA FUNERAL HOME, INC., 516 Stanton Street, Greensburg is assisting with arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Landram's Light at www.landramslight.com/donations.  

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