Milton Steffen Obituary

Milton Steffen, Jr.
08/14/1942 - 07/15/2025
Milton Henry Steffen, Jr., one of the WWII "war babies", was born August 14, 1942, at Huntsville Memorial Hospital on Avenue O in Huntsville, TX. He died on July 15, 2025 at Bayou Manor nursing home in Houston. He was the son of Milton and Ruth Parish Steffen, college sweethearts at Sam Houston State; married March 26, 1941 @ Ft. Benning, GA.

With the uncertainties of the pending war, Ruth came home to Huntsville to await the arrival of the baby. Hoping against hope the father-to-be would get leave in time for the birth, Ruth was relieved when the beaming father arrived just hours after the birth.

When mother and baby could travel, they joined Milton, Sr. with the Texas 36th Division at Camp Edwards on Cape Cod, MA until deployment to North Africa, then Italy. Ruth and Milton, Jr. returned to spend the war years at her mother's home in Huntsville.

Major Steffen, Sr. was killed in action January 20, 1944 as his battalion (143rd) was ambushed crossing the Rapido River.

Perhaps it was the years spent during the war and post-war at his grandmother's house on 14th Street, that Henry remained close to his Parish aunts, uncles and cousins.

In 1949, Ruth remarried Glyn Turner who was for all practical purposes Milton Henry Steffen, Jr.'s "real" father.

Milton graduated at the top his class at Huntsville High School (1960), Rice University (1964), University of Texas law school (1967). He passed the Texas bar exam and all sections of the CPA exams with ease.

Known for his dry wit, he could be counted on for a quick, sly comeback in any battle of words.

Most of Milton's life (or Henry's depending on how one knew him) was lived in his beloved Houston, Texas.

He is survived by his sister, Glynda Turner, of Huntsville, Texas and a host of cousins. Henry's Houston family includes many supportive friends at Bering Memorial United Church of Christ.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. Tributes and remembrances may be made at www.shmfh.com

Donations in his memory may be made to the charity of one's choice.