Robert Steller Obituary

STELLER, Robert Dr. Robert E. Steller, recently of Mount Pleasant and Kiawah Island, died April 17 of Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was 80. His loving family and friends were with him during his final days. Before retirement Dr. Steller resided with his family in New Canaan, CT. Dr. Steller served as flight engineer with the U.S. Army Air Force before attending Villanova University and Temple University School of medicine. He interned in the U.S. Naval Reserve Medical corps in Philadelphia where he served as a flight surgeon, earning the rank of Commander. He attended the U.S. Naval School of Aviation Medicine and during this period conducted research into the design of a space suit to accommodate the long term needs of astronauts. He was also privy to sealed documents from WWII to determine how the body survived different physical elements. In 1962 Dr. Steller became Chief Resident of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Women's Hospital/St. Luke's hospital, New York. He was a diplomat of the American board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons as well as of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He established his medical practice in Stamford where he is fondly remembered as a most dedicated physician. In 1972 Dr. Steller was named Chief of Staff at the former St. Joseph's Hospital in Stamford where he was senior attending physician. He was a senior attending physician also at Stamford Hospital in addition to his teaching responsibilities. In 1976 Dr. Steller was named to Gov. Ella Grasso's Commission on Health in Connecticut. He also was a trustee of the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich. Surviving Dr. Steller is his long time partner, Nancy Trowbridge and children: Patricia Grace of Princeton, NJ, Eileen Holtvedt of Atherton, CA, Dr. Michael Steller of Providence, RI and David Steller of Grantham, NH. A son Robert Steller Jr, of Fairfield, CT, predeceased him. He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Frederick Steller of Spring Lake, NJ and eleven grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday May 26, 2007 at Christ Our King Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant, SC. A memorial service will also be held in early May in Riverside CT. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in his memory be made to the Charleston Ballet, 477 King Street, Charleston SC, 29403. The Steller family is being served by MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT. PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant SC, 29464. Condolences may be sent via www.mcalister-smith.com. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.