Neal Steven Steinert

N. Steven  Steinert died April 6, 2011 after a long illness.    He was born in Charleston, South Carolina October 1, 1945.  He was the son of Herbert and Rachel Kirshstein Steinert.    He graduated from Capitol Page School in Washington, D.C., while serving as a page for Mendel Rivers for three years.   He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia in political science in 1967.  He received his master's degree in International Relations from the University of South Carolina and his Ph. D . from Emory University in 1973.  He taught political science at the College of Charleston for 5 years where he developed the Department of Urban Studies and the master's degree in public administration.  During this time, he spent 6 months helping Mayor Joseph Riley set up his new administration.  He was a tenured Associate Professor when he left to work for the Carter administration as the Director of Congressional Relations for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and then at the Department of Commerce.  While in Washington, he was instrumental in obtaining funding from UDAG to rehabilitate the many of the old buildings on East Bay and Meeting Street.   He returned to Charleston in 1980 to become the County Administrator for Charleston.  He implemented the 911 system for the area during his tenure.   He then obtained his law degree from the University of South Carolina and practiced law in Charleston.    He moved to Asheville for several years, followed his passion for American crafts and served as the CEO of the Asheville Area Arts Council.   He returned to Charleston and served as an Associate Judge for the City of Charleston Municipal Court for the past 8 years.

He was very active in the Charleston community.   He was president of Synagogue Emanuel, the Trident Chamber of Commerce, and the Charleston Ballet Company.    He served on the committee that organized the Around Alone race.   He was a member of the Charleston County Bar Association and a former member of the Executive Committee.   He was active in Democratic Party politics and ran the local McGovern campaign. 

He married Harriett Rittenberg in 1967.  They have two daughters, Leslie Elizabeth Sawyer and Joanna Steinert Wingate (Robert).    He is also survived by the world's greatest grandchildren, Jacob and Benjamin Wingate.  He is survived also by his brother Charles Steinert (Robyne) and sister Kayte Steinert-Threlkeld (Tom).

The funeral will be Friday at 11:00 AM at Synagogue Emanu-El with burial to follow in Emanu-El Cemetery (Maryville).  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the charity of one's choice. 

Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.