Henry B. Steenkamer

Henry B. "Hank" Steenkamer passed away on February 6, 2025, surrounded by family.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, the son of John Cornelius and Helena Maria (Ewaardt) Steenkamer on January 21, 1930, he was baptized Hendrik Bartholomew. In the third grade of St. Patrick's School his name was changed to Henry to sound more American. So said the nuns. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School.

In 1951 he was drafted into the Army and attended Field Artillery Officer Candidate School at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, where he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in May 1952. He served in Korea from December 1952 until August 1953 with the First Observation Battalion. Back home, he attended the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree.

Hank was hired by the Design Division of DuPont's Engineering Department in 1956. Shortly thereafter he met the late Shirlee Anne Williams, his lifelong love. They were married June 22, 1957. 

Hank became a member of Thomas Dongan Council of the Knights of Columbus in 1953. He was a Fourth Degree member of Cardinal Gibbons Assembly. He served three times as Grand Knight of Coffee Run Council in Hockessin, DE. He also served on the Diocesan Building Committee of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington and was its chairman for nearly ten years.

He served as a Minister of the Eucharist at Holy Angels Church (Newark, DE), St. Mary Help of Christians (Aiken, SC) and St. Mary of the Assumption (Hockessin, DE).

Hank enjoyed reading, puzzles, golf, and watching his 13 grandchildren grow up. He is survived by his six sons: Thomas Gerard (Stephanie Lashmet), John Gilbert (Lisa Wolf), Michael Jerome (Kimberly White), Paul Hendrik (Sharon Johnson), David Andrew (Juliane Madsen), and Stephen Mark (Juliett Knopf); grandchildren: Katrina (Alex), Meredith (Kevin), Christopher (Erin), Adam (Katie), Benjamin, Emily (Mason), William, Alida (Tyler), Elizabeth, Andrew, Kate, Hannah, and Daniel and a great grandchild, Cameron. 

Hank is also survived by his sister Helen (the late Edward) Lynaugh. He was predeceased by sisters Johanna “Ann” (the late Andrew) McCauley and Theresa “Terry” (Hal) Blades.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 7200 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE at noon on Thursday, February 13, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10:30 that day at the church. There will be a private burial at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Diocese of Wilmington, Del., Share in the Spirit campaign for Catholic education, PO Box 2030, Wilmington, DE 19899 (https://cdow.org/).

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Henry B. Steenkamer, please visit our floral store.