Steffee

In the words of Dr. Lou Keppler, Arthur’s longtime friend and business partner, “The world lost a physician, an inventor, a pilot, a botanist, an architect and a heavy equipment operator. He was an enthusiastic creator. If Art ‘saw’ it in his mind, it somehow ended up being built. He took great joy in sharing these ‘projects’ with his friends. His work here is done, but we can be sure that heaven needs some ponds built.”

Dr. Arthur David Steffee Jr., 90, of Foxburg, died at his home on his 90th birthday, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024.

He was born in Oil City on Aug. 16, 1934, to Arthur D. Steffee Sr. and Josephine Leyda Steffee. He was the oldest of three children. Arthur attended Oil City High School and graduated in 1952. He went on to Allegheny College in Meadville and graduated in 1956 before attending McGill University in Montreal, where in 1960 he received an MD CM (Medicinae Doctorem et Chirurgiae Magistrum) degree. He completed his internship and rotating residency at the Cleveland Clinic and general surgery residency at St. Vincent Charity Hospital.

He served from 1962 to 1964 as a captain in the U.S. Army in orthopedic service at Fort Belvoir, Va. He returned to the Cleveland Clinic and completed his orthopedic residency in 1967. He then practiced orthopedics in Cleveland from 1967 to 1996, specializing in total joint replacement and spine surgery. He founded AcroMed in 1983, which produced spinal implants, artificial vertebrae and discs he developed.

Arthur retired to Foxburg in 1998 and began the restoration of the historic Fox Estate as well as the town of Foxburg.

Known as “the father of modern spine surgery,” Robin Young so eloquently described him, “Art was a friend, mentor, guru and irrepressible creator, innovator and visionary for thousands and thousands of patients and the surgeons who treat them. His passing is a monumental event in the history of orthopedics and spine care,” as well as the community he gave so much to.

Arthur is survived by his wife, Marybeth (née Hinds) Steffee; son, David (Laura) Steffee; grandchildren, Sydney, Abby and Dawson Steffee; and sister, Susan L. Steffee.

He was preceded in death by parents, Arthur D. Steffee Sr. and Josephine (née Leyda) Steffee; brother, William P. Steffee; wife, Patricia Ann (née Bishop) Steffee; wife, Billie (née Howland) Steffee, and their daughter, Sarah Allison Steffee; and wife, Edie (née Hodgkinson) Steffee, and their children, David Steffee, Michael Steffee and John Peter Steffee.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts. Friends are encouraged to visit Foxburg and support the town that meant so much to Art.

STEFFEE — A celebration of life for Dr. Arthur David Steffee Jr., who died Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, will be held on a future date.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of HILE FUNERAL HOME, Emlenton.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.