Richard A. Steadman (NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.)

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. - The family of Dr. Richard Anderson Steadman, age 77, who moved to his heavenly home on January 14, 2008, will receive friends at Bland Funeral Home in Johnston, Wednesday evening, January 16 from 6-8 pm. A private burial will be held in Sunset Gardens Memorial Park in Johnston on Thursday morning followed by a Memorial Service at 2 pm celebrating the life of Dr. Steadman at Grace United Methodist Church in North Augusta. Immediately following the service in North Augusta, the family will receive friends in the Wesley Center at Grace UMC. Memorials may be made to Grace UMC, 639 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, SC 29841 or Johnston UMC, P. O. Box 186, Johnston, SC 29832 or United Hospice of Augusta, 1226 Augusta West Pkwy., Augusta, GA 30909. Dr. Steadman, a native of Ridge Spring, SC, was a son of the late Wallace W., Sr. and Frances Anderson Steadman. At the age of 15, he was awarded the Boy Scout life Saving Medal and 2 years later, named Outstanding Boy Scout of the US. Graduating as Valedictorian of Ridge Spring High School, he went on to Wofford College where he was a member of the Blue Key Honor Society and the Senior Order of Gnomes. He served as Student Body President and earned his B. S. in Biology. While completing his medical degree at the Medical University of South Carolina, he was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and finished in the top 10 of his class. After a 2 year internship at Greenville General Hospital, he served 2 years as Captain in the US Army Medical Corps. In 1958, he moved to Johnston, SC to practice general medicine. He performed home deliveries until 1965 and made house calls until he retired from private practice in 1994. Because of his love for his patients he continued to practice family medicine both full and part-time at McCormick Family Practice and other clinics until 1999 and served on the Carolinas Health Center Board from 1998 to 2005. Dr. Steadman became a life member of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 1966 as well as being selected by the Jaycees as one of the "Outstanding Young Men of America". Appointed by the governor to serve on the Upper Savannah Health Advisory Board from 1999 to 2001, he also was a consulting physician for Agromedicine Program and a FAA flight pilot examiner. Other organizations he was involved in were the Ridge Medical Society, serving as President and Secretary-Treasurer, the SC Medical Association, the Johnston Jaycees, the Johnston Lions Club and Grace UMC Metts Club and the Sheffield Club. As much as he loved serving people, he loved his God and his faith family even more. He was a current member of Grace UMC, North Augusta and the Stillwell Sunday School Class. For 43 years, Dr. Steadman was a member of Johnston UMC. During that time he served on the Administrative Board in various capacities, was a regular Sunday School teacher and an excellent certified lay speaker. He also sang in the choir and served as coordinator of Lay Witness Missions for a number of years. He could be found guest preaching for various local pastors on occasion. He was never without a joke and in 2000 published a book entitled, "Laugh and Live Longer", subtitled "hundreds of jokes that are safe for women, children and preachers". Surviving are: the love of his life, his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth "Lib" Barber Steadman of North Augusta; his children and daughters-in-law and sons-in-law: Mr. and Mrs. Richard A Steadman, Jr. (Sarah) of Mt Pleasant, Dr. and Mrs. Mark S. Steadman (Margie) of Florence, Rev. and Mrs. Ben L. Barnett (Laura) of Pendleton, and Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth A. Smith (Mary Louise) of North Augusta; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Joe C. Watson, Jr. (Betty) of Ridge Spring, and Rev. and Mrs. Garth L. Hill (Patty) of Gilbert. Also, grandchildren: Mackie, Andy and Sarah Ann Steadman of Mt. Pleasant; Laura and Stephen Steadman of Florence; Erin and Katie Barnett of Pendleton, and Briggs, David and Graham Smith of North Augusta and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Wallace W. and Martha Steadman, Jr. Words of remembrance and condolence may be sent to the family through: blandfuneralhome@bellsouth.net. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com

The Augusta Chronicle-January 16, 2008