Lanning D. Steitz (Lanny) died Thursday, August 29, 2024. Lanny was born in Queens, New York on November 1, 1939 and moved to the Saugerties and Woodstock area in the late 1960’s. Lanny was known for his analytical mind and quirky sense of humor, often referred to by friends as the “Wizard.” Extremely intelligent, he attended Lehigh University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Lanny, an expert marksmen and talented gunsmith, served honorably in the United States Army, Artillery Branch, from 1961 to 1963, transferring to the U.S. Army Reserve where he served until 1967. He received the Good Conduct Medal, and was an Expert in Carbine and a Rifle Marksman. Lanny began his professional career at Consumer Reports, followed by working at IBM. A member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Lanny was a freelance and Union electrician who later worked as a freelance house builder. He put these skills to good use, designing and building a solar powered house on the property of the original race track off of Cooper Lake Road in Bearsville. Lanny’s keen eye to detail and vast knowledge of electrical systems led him on his career path to be an electrical inspector for the fire underwriters; and finally, a project manager and consulting engineer for the New York State Department of Environmental Protection.
Lanny’s interests were many and varied. His greatest passions were long range shooting competitions and he was a gifted gunsmith who loved challenging gun restorations. Lanny was an avid sportsmen and enjoyed hunting and fishing; he delighted in preparing creative venison dishes which were received by the family with mixed reviews. He was always experimenting in the kitchen and inventing recipes, most recently sharing handwritten versions of his favorites with the staff at Ten Broeck Commons, where he was receiving care following hospitalization. During the 1970’s, Lanny enjoyed the Woodstock scene and could be found out with friends dancing at the Joyous Lake. His involvement in the Woodstock community extended beyond the nightlife, however, as he volunteered for many years at Family of Woodstock. At home, Lanny loved tinkering in his workshop. His woodworking skills encompassed everything from checkering gun stocks by hand to building furniture. Family members are blessed to have many beautiful handmade pieces. During his retirement, Lanny could be found feeding the birds and watching the wildlife outside the living room window and he was a big fan of scaring away the squirrels using innovative methods. Over the years, Lanny enjoyed the company of several very good dogs, among them Mitzi and Cocoa stand out as being cherished companions. Lanny also enjoyed photography, a talent and interest he passed on to his daughter, Nancy. Lanny was outspoken and spent many afternoons pontificating at the Woodstock American Legion with his friends. He was a member of the Honor Guard, and served as the Grand Marshall of the Woodstock Memorial Day Parade, an honor that brought him so much pride and joy in his later years. Lanny’s thoughts and opinions on everything from the second amendment to the rights of people to live and let live, often made their way into the Editorial Pages of the Woodstock Times.
Lanny was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Ella (Antpusat) Steitz and his former wife and mother of his daughter, Patricia Ann (O’Connell) Steitz. Surviving are his sister, Judith Lynn; his wife of thirty five years, Colleen (Haggerton) Steitz; daughter, Nancy Jennifer Steitz; step-daughter Dawn (Eric) Kalleberg; and granddaughter, Kelly Elizabeth Kalleberg.
Lanny was buried with military honors in the Woodstock Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were made by the Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home Inc. in Saugerties. Further obituary information and expressions of condolence may be shared with the family at SeamonWilseyFuneralHome.com.
Join the family! 
