Saundra Steinmier Obituary

Saundra Kay (Young) Stienmier was born April 27, 1938 in Abilene Kansas, and died September 17, 2009, at her home in Castle Pines North, Colorado. She was the wife of Richard Stienmier, M.D. and the mother of Richard B. Steinmeier, (Connie), Dr. Susan I. Diana, (Riley), Julia T. Murray, (Joseph) and Laura S. Teal, (George). There are seven grandchildren, Laurel Teal, Joseph Murray, Helen Murray, George Teal, Dickie Murray, Christian Murray and Ryan Steinmeier. She is survived by the family members mentioned, by her husband Richard and by her sister Mary Beatrice (Young) Panetta. She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Bruce Young of Boulder, Colorado, and a brother, Richard, who died as a child. She is survived by the family members mentioned, by her husband Richard and by her sister Mary Beatrice (Young) Panetta. Her funeral will be held at the Chapel of Our Savior, 8 Fourth Street, Colorado Springs at 3:00 PM on September 28th. Following there will be a celebration of Saundra's last flight at the Parrish Hall. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to a charity of choice is suggested. Saundra lived her early life in Cheyenne, Wyoming and Boulder, Colorado. She attended Colorado Women's College at two periods in her life, graduating with a degree in Psychology in 1968. She married Richard in November 1958 in Boulder and they celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in December 2008. Following Richard's graduation from Medical School and internship in Cincinnati, he joined the U S Army Medical Corps. The family spent twenty years traveling around the United States and had a tour in the Kaiserslautern area of Germany during his years of active duty. They lived in Richmond KY, Fort Leonard Wood MS, Washington DC, San Francisco CA, El Paso TX and Colorado Springs Colorado while Richard was on active duty. After his retirement from the army, they lived in Colorado Springs until 1990, while Dick was a civilian pathologist in local hospitals and in the Medical Examiner's office. They later moved to Douglas County, Colorado. Saundra was always interested in aviation and started realizing her dreams by becoming a pilot in 1973. She soon became involved in the United States' Military Aviation club system, first at Ft. Bliss Texas then at Ramstein AFB in Germany, where she became the manager. On her return to the United States, she became manager of the Peterson AFB club in Colorado Springs, later renamed as an Air Force Flight Training School. During her career in aviation, she held many important positions with Air Force, the FAA, and general aviation professional organizations. She piloted an Army T-41B aircraft in the 1977 "Powder Puff" derby, and flew in many countries in Europe. In the US she flew her aero club planes to both coasts and many other places in America. She and Richard, (also a pilot), flew to Fairbanks Alaska in 2000 in their own Cessna 182. The aero clubs she ran received many awards; the last being "Best Air Force Club Manager" in 2007. She retired from active professional activity in aviation with over thirty five years of service. She was an inspiring teacher and guide for many young people who entered the world of aviation and had success because of her interests in them and their goals in life. She had many other interests. These included art both as an established artist working in acrylics and watercolor, and running an art gallery in El Paso Texas in 1974-1977. She was active in The Order of the Rainbow for Girls as a mother advisor and as the editor/artist of the Colorado Rainbow news letter. Later she was an officer in the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron in Centennial Chapter # 103 in 1989-1990. During her life she suffered several severe injuries and illnesses, but always continued on with great grace and courage. She was a "people person" and led by example and love both expressed to her family and to all who became involved with her in the great missions of life.