Jack Steinberg, 85, teachers union leader

Jack Steinberg, 85, of Philadelphia, a longtime leader and official in the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, died of cancer Thursday, April 14, at Chandler Hall Hospice in Newtown.

He was a pillar of the union that represents public school teachers in the city, the federation said in a statement about his life. Mr. Steinberg held the position of union treasurer and chief trustee of the health and welfare fund, which he helped establish, until his death.

"Jack Steinberg was a part of the rugged group that birthed and built the PFT," said president Jerry Jordan. "He never forgot that the union's strength lies with the educators who serve our children."

Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Steinberg graduated from Olney High School and Temple University. He served in the Army before beginning his teaching career as a Spanish teacher in the Philadelphia School District.

Mr. Steinberg was working at Overbrook High School in 1965 when teachers held an election and chose the PFT to represent them. He became actively involved in the union, said Ted Kirsch, president of the American Federation of Teachers Pennsylvania and a former PFT president.The two men met as teachers at Overbrook, where Mr. Steinberg was head of the foreign language and music departments.

"He was a bulldog for improving education for the students of Philadelphia," Kirsch said of Mr. Steinberg.

Kirsch said Mr. Steinberg was passionate about his work, and known to speak his mind to administrators and politicians.

"Everybody knew what Jack thought on an issue," Kirsch said.

Mr. Steinberg's son Arthur said his father was especially passionate when speaking about the dangers of charter-school expansion.

Arthur Steinberg said his father was most proud of his work to establish and oversee the union's health and welfare fund. He also created an educational issues department within the fund, to offer professional development to teachers.

"He really imparted to me the notion that you never forget where you came from," said his son, who like his father became a teacher and now works for the union. "We're teachers on leave, and we have to always put ourselves in their place."

Arthur Steinberg, who is currently lead coordinator of the health and welfare fund, was recently elected to take his father's role as treasurer, in a term that begins this summer.

"Our overall goal really is to continue what he did and make sure the kids in the school system and our membership are taken care of," he said.

Besides his son, Mr. Steinberg is survived by a daughter, Ann Rosenberger; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by Mona, his wife of 64 years, and a son, Eric.

A graveside service will be Sunday, April 17, at 3 p.m. at Shalom Memorial Park, 25 Byberry Rd., Huntingdon Valley.

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