by Ardis Bazyn
“If anyone could rightly claim the statement ‘I fought the good fight,’ it would be Homer Steele,” says John Gordon, the chair of the Illinois Blind Vendors. “He never compromised any of his values on any issue. He always looked out for the small operators if others were trying to take advantage of them. He used personal funds to bail out the vendors’ insurance fund, even though he didn’t qualify for it. He always took time to talk to people just like Durward McDaniel had always done.”
Homer Steele was a Randolph-Sheppard vendor from Illinois who celebrated his 50th anniversary in the program in 2000. He had been an active member of RSVA since shortly after its charter was granted. Homer has received numerous awards through the years including the Don Cameron Award given to him by the Randolph- Sheppard Vendors of America on July 3, 1995. He had attended every RSVA convention, except for three, since the first one in 1968. He was president of RSVA from 1974-1978 and held numerous other positions on the board.
Homer Steele was born on September 20, 1923 to a couple on an Illinois farm. He graduated from high school in 1941 before losing the rest of his sight in 1946. The assistance services at that time suggested he raise bees and honey on the family farm. Since Homer didn’t appreciate that employment solution, he investigated other possibilities. In 1948, he learned about the industrial school for the blind where he took six weeks of vending training.
On May 11, 1950, he received his first location in East St. Louis, Ill. Homer married Louise Smith on May 1, 1965 and she always supported Homer’s efforts both at work and with his volunteer activities. On January 6, 1990, he was promoted to the St. Francis Medical Center and remained there until he received his last facility at the Cumberland Rest Area. Homer died on July 31, 2001.
MJ Schmitt, the immediate past president of the Illinois Council of the Blind, fondly remembers her long association with Homer Steele. “Homer served the board of the Illinois Council of the Blind several times through the years. He attended most of our conventions. He always came through when we needed help. He was still involved with working on our constitution and bylaws committee in April of this year.”
Gene Hiesler calls Homer one of his greatest mentors. He told me how much he learned from both Homer and Paul Verner, two of the past RSVA presidents.
Gene tells about an event that happened at the 1983 convention in Phoenix, AZ. “Opal and I were in our room overlooking the pool when we noticed Homer standing on the edge of the pool. It looked like Homer was going to take a jump and quicker than anything Homer twirled around on one foot and walked away. We have never seen anything like it since.”
Alberta O’Shaughnessy mentioned how much time Homer spent with her husband Bob. When Bob was new in the vending program, Homer would talk with him about his business and offer whatever advice he could. At that time, the Illinois program was called Business Opportunities for the Blind.
“Homer was like a father to me,” says Larry Jones from Trenton, IL. “My father had passed away just eight months before I started the vending program. Homer took me under his wings and shared the history of the organization and anything else relating to the vending program he could. He told me how he and Kenny Decker had organized the Illinois vendors and then joined RSVA in 1969.”
“We could be on opposite sides during any debate in the program but we were always friends afterwards.” Larry and his wife would often drive to state vendor meetings together with Homer and Louise and Larry recalls these rides as some of his best experiences through the years. Larry told me how one time, they even chartered a plane to fly to Chicago for meetings. “It was cheaper than the train, believe it or not!”
Kim Venable, the office manager for RSVA, had these kind words about Homer. “Homer was a leader, an advocate, a mentor for all blind vendors, but most of all he was my friend. I will cherish each and every conversation I had with him, giving me guidance and information on the history of RSVA. He always had time for me whenever I called him with a question. When RSVA asked affiliates to submit Pepsi data for the national account program, Homer had his relatives drive him all over the state of Illinois to collect it. Homer Steele is the definition for dedication. Homer was not going to be able to attend this year’s convention in Des Moines because of poor health. When he found out that RSVA had purchased him a lifetime membership in ACB and it was going to be presented at convention, he said, ‘I have to be there, if RSVA thinks that much of me to do this I must be there to receive it.’ Sadly Homer was hospitalized two days before he was scheduled to leave for Des Moines. I will truly miss my mentor, but I will miss my friend even more.”
As I talked to many of Homer’s friends, I was reminded of all the helpful words I’d heard from Homer over the years. He encouraged me to get more involved in RSVA when I started coming to conventions. I was honored to participate in his 50th anniversary celebration last year. We could always count on Homer and Louise being there to support any efforts that were needed. Homer always advocated for blind people and would show by example how it should be done. We will all miss his cheerful spirit and mentoring ability!