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by Senior Master Sgt. Joe Jackson
The USAF Band
4/11/2012 - Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, D.C. -- The members of The United States Air Force Band mourn the recent passing of retired Chief Master Sgt. Leigh Steiger on April 8. Steiger served as a woodwind performer, arranger with the Concert Band and a regional band manager.
(Ret.) Leigh Steiger Steiger was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and entered the U.S. Air Force in 1968 after graduating from Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., with a dual degree in clarinet and music education. In addition to his assigned duty as an arranger, he performed on bass clarinet, clarinet and saxophone with the Concert Band. He has also appeared with a diverse array of musical performers, such as Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea, Buck Owens, Chuck Mangione and the Lennon Sisters.
29 years later, Steiger retired from the Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant, his distinctive career culminating as the manager of the Air Force Band of the Pacific. Upon his retirement, he reflected on his primary principle that guided him over his career: taking care of people. “I've been trying to do that my entire career, especially since I made chief,” Steiger added, “It says it all on Gen. Rutherford's Order of the Sword coin; ‘Take care of your people.’ That's been my big focus.”
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Jim Hoefert
Leigh Steiger passed away on Easter Sunday April 8,2012. I went to his memorial service and had a long chat with his father and mother. Both were very frail looking and Mrs. Steiger passed away a few months later. Leigh and I were very good friends from Washington School thru Kenmore West. We were in Boy Scouts with Troop 38. The last couple of years I was looking for Leigh He was living in Washington State. Couldn't find a phone number. I asked his father where Leigh had been the last few years and his father responded by telling me that Leigh had been living with them for the last 6 years and had been taking care of them. I can't tell you how many times I drove past their house on McKinley wondering if they still lived there and they did. My mother had a rule that when someone came to call for one of us 7 kids that you came in the back door and yelled for whom you wanted. Leigh did this many times over the years. Well he went to college and we moved . He came to the house on Nassau walked in the back door and shouted for me. A strange woman in the kitchen screamed . Scared Leigh to death. After a short chat Leigh and the woman that bought our house sorted it all out. I never saw him again. Only to talk to him on the phone afterwards. Google Leigh's name and you will be amazed and what you see.
Dick Wightman
Leigh is another gentleman of the class of 1964. I am proud to say i know Leigh and like Dick Kermode, you know wherever Leigh is, there are wind instruments around!
Molly Pearson (Kelly)
Leigh was such a talent and good friend. We had many good times and laughs together since junior high. He was my prom date and when I had forgotten my house key, he pushed me (prom dress and all) through the milk chute so I could open the back door. What a sight!!!! We never forgot that. Rest in peace good friend!!
Jan Thompson (Newstrom)
Leigh Steiger and I were in the same St. Mark's Lutheran Church Confirmation Class. He was a remarkable scholar, gentleman and friend.