Robert (Bill) Steel – PrepB, ThB 47-57

Submitted by Marnie Hooker

Bill, 87, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, died unexpectedly in his home on 17 January 2026. Bill was born on 30 May 1938, grew up in England, and was nicknamed after the famous English soccer player, Bill Steel.

Bill lived in Manchester and Brighton. He received his primary education at Christ Hospital Boarding School in West Sussex, England, and his engineering degree from the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. There he learned his love of sailing and sailed in many regattas throughout the North Atlantic. When he wasn’t sailing or working he was playing ‘rugger’ (rugby).  In 1968, he sailed the Transatlantic race to Newport and met the love of his life, Pat. In 1969 they married and in 1970 they purchased the Ensign Cydarydigo. With Cydarydigo and her dedicated crew, they have won many Ensign class sailing seasons at the Newport Yacht Club, including a second place finish this past summer. He will always be remembered for his love of family and friends, his enthusiasm for sailing, and his many many stories.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia A. Steel. He is survived by his son, Dan and his wife Helen Steel, his daughter, Karla Steel-Neiffer; his step son, Buzz and his wife Marnie Hooker; and his grandchildren, Jourdan and Jeremy Steel and Max Hooker.