Obituary of Richard Steuerwald

Steuerwald, Richard, age 83, of Mahwah, NJ, died peacefully on October 21. Born in 1931 in Wurzburg, Germany, Richard immigrated to America in 1955 with his forever bride, Anni, his first born daughter, Angelika, one suitcase, and a pocket full of American dollars. In the span of the next 60 years, Richard was driven by a singular honorable purpose: to provide his children and then his grandchildren with opportunities he did not have growing up in wartime Germany. His hard work, common sense, and integrity propelled his rise from various laborer positions to manager and then to proud President of his own successful business, ABD, Inc., in North Bergen, NJ. He served for 20 years on the board of Schuetzen Park Corp. and the executive board of Fritz Reuter Life Care Center. He was a member of the Board of Directors at Valley National Bank. He is survived by his daughter, Linda Steuerwald of Midland Park and was predeceased by his wife, Anni, and daughter, Angelika Sternowski. In addition to Linda, he leaves behind five extraordinary grandchildren: Kristin, Michelle, Michael, Tess, and Cate; a sister Katarina Reinhardt and brother Valentine Steuerwald of Germany; sister-in-laws Heidi Metsch, Lili Dowd, Siglinde Lange, and Hilda Uhlmann; and son-in-law, Joe Sternowski. His family and friends are forever grateful for the legacy of his stories of wisdom and valor, which will serve to guide this and future generations. The family will receive friends at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff, (www.vpfh.com) on Friday, October 24, from 3 - 6 pm. A memorial service will be at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, you can honor Richard with a donation to Fritz Reuter Lifecare Community, 3161 Kennedy Boulevard, North Bergen, NJ 07047, or a charity of your choice.