James E. Steed

James Edgar Steed, 92, of Hamilton, Ohio, architect and former CEO of Steed, Hammond & Paul (SHP), passed away June 28, 2017. He was born on July 13, 1924, the son of Edgar and Dessie (Boyd) Steed, and raised in Washington Court House, Ohio. Jim loved playing for the Wolfie Sinclair baseball team as a kid, and he began his career at age 8 as a newspaper carrier during the Great Depression. After high school, he joined the U.S. Army, where he shipped off to the South Pacific during WWII as an Amtrak commander with the 672nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion, and served with “one tough outfit,” as Big Jim always said. They led assaults on beaches in the Solomon Islands and the Philippines, and they helped the Allies win the war with the drive and siege of Manila. One of his greatest feats in life was his part in “The Great Raid” on the Los Banos prisoner of war camp, where his unit helped free 2,146 civilian prisoners of war in 1945 just hours before they were to be executed. Jim began his career in architecture in 1946 at the University of Cincinnati and received his Master’s in Architecture from UC in 1952. At graduation, he was awarded an AIA medal for academics and excellence in design. In 1956, he joined the Hamilton firm of Hair, Hetterich and Siegel. Within two years Jim had become a partner, and in 1971 he became president (and later CEO) of SHP. Jim singlehandedly designed Taft and Stephen T. Badin senior highs, which led to his firm designing hundreds of schools. Jim retired after 43 years with the firm and continued as a consultant for nine years. He loved his work and thrived as a leader, mentor and friend to both clients and colleagues. Jim served on the Hamilton Planning Commission and the boards of the YMCA, Boys Club, AAA, New London Hills, Hamilton City Club and the First Methodist Church. He spent many years coaching baseball and basketball. He was an Emeritus Member of the AIA, the Hamilton Rotary Club and a lifelong fan of the Cincinnati Reds and UC Bearcats. After retirement, he authored the book Called to Serve, the story of his Army service during WWII. He was kind and generous, with a big personality to match it. He will be missed by his loving wife of 59 years, Max; his sons Doug (Kathy), Dave (Michelle) and Dan (Emily); his grandsons: Grant (Tara), Garrett, James, Spencer (Lisa), Sam and Charlie; his great-granddaughter Campbell; and his many friends and colleagues. The Steed Family would like to thank the staff at The Woodlands of Hamilton for the fine care and comfort they provided for Jim. They are also grateful for Hospice of The Miami Valley and Judy Selonke. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 8, at 11:00 am at Weigel Funeral Home, 980 NW Washington Blvd., Hamilton, OH with Reverend Grant Montgomery officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Hamilton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Hamilton or Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati. Online condolences are available at weigelfuneralhome.com

Tributes

James E. Steed

July 13, 1924 - June 28, 2017