Darwin ‘Bub’ Steinke Passes

Longtime Standardbred horseman Darwin ‘Bub’ E. Steinke, 81, of Pioneer, Ohio, passed away on March 31, 2020, at Evergreen Manor Nursing Home in Montpelier.

He was born January 19, 1939, in Bridgewater Township to J.E. and Dorothy (Cline) Steinke. Bub graduated from Montpelier High School in 1957, and then went on to Toledo Barber College.

Bub married Sharon E. Rupp on October 17, 1964, and she survives. For 53 years they lived together on their small farm, just two and a half miles from his family home where he was born. No matter where Bub and Sharon went, he was always glad to come back to Sha-win Farm; he always claimed that Bridgewater Township was “the best place in the world.”

Bub served his country in the Ohio Air National Guard out of Toledo. He attended Salem Mennonite Church in Waldron, Mich. He was a member of the USTA (since 1965 when he bought his first Standardbred) and the Montpelier Eagles.

He raised, trained and raced Standardbreds from 1965-2015, when he sold his last two horses. He was known in the Northwest Ohio Colt Racing Association where in 1966 and 1967 he raced the top two- and three-year-old trotting filly Rebel Speed.

He owned and operated Bub’s Barbershop in Pioneer and then in Montpelier for 57 years. He would also do some barber work in Florida to pass the time. He spent some time at Spring Garden Ranch in DeLeon Springs, Fla., watching the training of Standardbreds.

Bub is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sharon; sons, Richard ‘Ric’ (Sara) and Kurt (Alanna); grandson, Jacob E. (Emily); siblings, Col. Donald (Terry), Doloris ‘Chip’ (Walter) Bumb, and Pat (Ron) Eisel; sister-in-law, Mary; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Derald and Larry.

Memorial contributions may be made to Salem Mennonite Church.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Bub Steinke.

(USTA)