Berthold “Bert” Steinebel of Millbrae, California, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2023, at the age of
81. He is survived by his loving wife, Brigitte, of 57 years, his two children and five grandchildren, as well
as one sister, Martha Edelberg from Everswinkel and is 96 years young.

Bert was born on April 25, 1942, the youngest of seven children of Gustav and Elisabeth Steinebel, in the
German town of Bielen, Teosin (Poland). The family fled their farm estate by wagon train in 1945 with
the Russian Army on their heels. None of their extended family and neighbors wanted to live under the
Russian Regime. While Bert’s father not only fought in World War I, but he was also drafted for World
War II, so Bert’s mother had to drive a wagon with her youngest five kids. Bert’s oldest brother, Viktor,
was drafted and was in southern Germany, and oldest sister, Margarete, was an apprentice working near
Berlin. The wagon train was hiding in the forest overlooking Dresden the night that city was bombed
and burning. They traveled west, as Münster Westfalen was a destination for the relatives to meet up.
They settled in Everswinkel, Germany, where they bought a large barrack which could be home to six
families until they all built their new homes and got reestablished.

Bert was educated in Everswinkel and did his machinist apprenticeship at Lohmann’s with specialized
welding and metallurgist certification. He came to San Francisco in June 1962 and worked for American
Can for 13 years as a machinist and then was promoted to their planning department. He also worked
for Heat & Control and Blakeway Sheet Metal before starting his own company, B Metal Fabrication, Inc.
in May 1987. He retired at age 68 and remains part owner of B Metal Fabrication.

Bert had his education and trade with a job. At age 20, he came to San Francisco to visit his sisters
Margarete Ulbricht and Marie Ostertag, along with his Aunt Kamilla and cousins Gustav and Florentine
but did not plan to stay. During the two weeks in California, Margarete and her family had reservations
at Meeks Bay Resort in Lake Tahoe. Bert was very impressed at Lake Tahoe and the fabulous sunshine
weather. That’s when Bert started his interest in traveling and never stopped. Then, Bert moved to San
Francisco with his eldest sister, Margarete. Bert met Brigitte Roeger in April of 1965. They were married
on May 14, 1966, recently celebrating their 57th anniversary in Maui. They had two children, Robert
Steinebel (married to Adrienne) and Barbara Blundell. Bert was the proud grandfather (Opi) of Brandon
Blundell, Amanda Steinebel, Haley Blundell, Nolan Steinebel and Kaitlyn Blundell. He was delighted to
welcome Nolan’s fiancé, Caitlin, to our family whose wedding he will miss in August 2023. Bert was
especially proud when Brandon and Nolan joined the B Metal Fabrication team. He said, “It was worth
the long hours and days starting out to know the family will continue on.”

Bert’s interests over the years: In his teenage years, he enjoyed table tennis, being the Westfalen Table
Tennis Champion. Once married, he started glider sailing, and outdoor sports like water and snow skiing.
Later he built a Lake House, went on over 50 cruises around the world, took care of his orchids, and
learned to play golf. Bert also enjoyed watching the 49ers and soccer. And Bert joined the Concordia
Soccer Club of San Francisco over 50 years ago and enjoyed the comradery of his SKAT buddies, up to his
passing.

Bert was a devoted husband, father and Opi. He was a successful businessman, very proud person,
hardworking and loved to be with his family and travel friends. For example, he was always very happy
when traveling to Europe with all his family and showing the grandkids all of Europe, their hometowns in
Germany, and visit relatives so the kids would know the extended families. Bert will be missed.