Robert (Bob) Louis Steffen, age 81, of Maryland Heights, MO, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Bob was born in Vesta, MN, on December 11, 1944, to Alfred and Helene (Langholz) Steffen, the second of six children. After graduating from Tracy High School and Augustana College, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, embarking on a distinguished flying career from 1967 to 1973. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Bob flew 228 combat missions, including 115 missions as an Aircraft Commander in B-52 bombers and 10 missions over North Vietnam during the Christmas Bombings of 1972. For his valor and service, he was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses, eight Air Medals, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

Following his military service, Bob worked as a commercial, charter, and seaplane instructor in Minnesota. During this time, he met the love of his life, Ellen Ehlinger, at a disco in 1978. They were married on November 16, 1979. That same year, Bob accepted a position in St. Louis to establish and manage the corporate flight department for May Department Stores, a role he proudly held until his retirement in 2007.

Anyone who knew Bob knew his heart belonged to his historic 1921 log cabin on Pokegama Lake in Grand Rapids, MN, which he purchased in 1971. Over five decades, he poured his time and love into restoring and improving the property. Through the summer of 2025, he could still be found supervising projects, planting grass, and captaining his beloved pontoon boat and John Deere Gator.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Betty Steffen Augst.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ellen Steffen; his daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Greg, and granddaughter, Melissa Matheny; his son and daughter-in-law, Luke and Melissa, and grandchildren, Henrietta and Theodore Steffen; and his siblings, Dick Steffen, Sue Moore, John Steffen, and Judy Sheldon.

A memorial service will be held on September 12, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 327 Woods Mill Rd, Manchester, MO.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 1530 Wilson Blvd, Suite 550, Arlington, VA 22209.