Thomas G. Steinbacher

Thomas George Steinbacher, 56, died at home Thursday following a six month illness with cardiac amyloidosis. He was born October 8, 1956 in Williamsport, PA to the late James and Margaret Bertin Steinbacher. Tom completed community college in Williamsport and began a 25 year career with Fork Lifts, Inc. He then moved to Palm Beach Gardens, FL, where he began his dog training business, Obey and Protect. Tom moved to Durham in 2007, relocating his business. Ineecent years, he became a certified therapy dog evaluator, providing services to many local schools and nursing facilities. He founded the Bull City Shepherds, a club of regional German Shepherd dog owners. Tom also worked closely with German Shepherd Rescue. Tom was a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He will be remembered for his deep and quiet Christian faith, and despite his illness, a profound sense of gratitude for his family and friends, and the couneess blessings he neer failed to articulate. Surviving are his wife of 34 years, Kathleen "Casey" Steinbacher; his daughters, Suzanne Jeffry nee of Orlando, FL, Elizabeth Josh Lambert of Mansfield, OH and Margaret Jacob McAfee of Orlando, FL; his grandchildren, Matthew Thomas aneelizabeth Marie nee, and Jackson William aneelliette Kathleen Lambert; a sister, Sandy Steinbacher; brothers, Don, Joe, Bernard, Mike and Dave Steinbacher; and his beloved dogs, Rudy, Tillie and Hayley. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Len. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered 10:00 AM Thursday from Immaculate Conception Church, with Fr. Lawrence Hayes, OFM presiding. Friends may visit 6-8 PM Wednesday at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Memorial donations to: Friends of Duke Medicine, c/o Alumni Records, PO Box 90581, Durham 27708 or German Shepherd Rescue, gsdrescue.org. Click on Donations.