W. R. ‘Bob’ Steele, nurse, school bus driver
W. R. "Bob" Steele, 64, of Milford, passed away Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at home, after a courageous 15-month battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme Cancer; far beyond the time he was given at his diagnosis. He was born Sunday, Oct. 5, 1952, in Chestertown, Md.
Mr. Steele was a 1973 graduate of Beebe School of Nursing as the first male accepted to their nursing program. It was during his education there that he met the love of his life, Karen. Following graduation, Mr. Steele began a long career as a registered nurse, pursuing certifications in mental health and substance abuse, and becoming the first nationally certified psychiatric nurse in Delaware. He worked within numerous psychiatric settings, most recently as "Dr. Bob" at Dover Behavioral Health. He found his work therapeutic, and he was accepting of all who fought mental illness and addiction. Mr. Steele facilitated courses as a professor at DTCC and Wesley College, as well as mentoring new nurses within the multiple setting he worked. He wanted to be a foot soldier among those in need, and strove to help other professionals work to their potential.
Growing up, he loved his bus drivers and wanted to be that same steady, caring person in the childhoods of others. After several years of driving a school bus, he and his wife started their school bus company, School Mule Inc. The name showed his wit, but he'd quickly share that a mule is not stubborn, but instead intelligent and cautious - just as a bus should operate. He was an ever-present part of each of the schools he served, especially taking pride in serving the Milton and Lincoln communities in Cape Henlopen School District. He was among the original contractor group for Sussex Technical High School and the first to bring student transportation to Worcester Preparatory School and Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School. Wherever he went, children knew his name, and after so many years, those children became parents themselves, with two generations knowing Mr. Steele as friendly, funny and worthy of respect. He was a pioneer in school bus safety advances, like piloting the first school bus cameras and reflective tape in the state, attending national school bus conferences, working through new licensing requirements, and holding certification as a driver trainer. Just as within the nursing profession, he also liked to spread his love and knowledge of all things school bus related.
Mr. Steele enjoyed collecting VW and Campbell's Soup memorabilia, eating at the local diner, and playing the lottery. He loved his "Three Gs": Girls (his wife and daughters), Grandchildren and Gardening. He could identify and care for any plant, but his family was his priority, and he cherished time spent with them more than anything else. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, granddad, and friend, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the opportunity to know him.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Karen (Harte) Steele of Milford; his daughters: Darby Hudson and her husband Jim, who was the son Mr. Steele never had, of Milton, and Shaughnessy Steele of Milford; his grandchildren: Aidan and Grace Hudson of Milton, and Joseph and Kallie Dangerfield of Milford; and his brothers: Jack Steele of Walton, N.Y., and Jim Steele of Hartly.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
All services will be private.
Please visit Mr. Steele's Life Memorial Webpage at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
