Richard Stephen "Steve" Siegfried

Retired U.S. Army Major General Richard S. “Steve” Siegfried passed away peacefully with his wife at his side on 22 March 2024. Steve was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina on 4 October 1938 and moved to Columbus, Ohio due to his father who was in the Navy being assigned to the Naval Air Base. Steve graduated from Mifflin HS along with his friend and guitar player, who immediately formed a trio called the Playboys, (later changed to Steve Sieg and the Playboys.) They played in several places in several states for a time before receiving a draft notice from Uncle Sam. Being the patriotic men they were, he and his guitar player went to the recruiter and joined the Army. The music business quickly went away and a new life of soldiering began. Steve was predeceased by his son Benjamin Thomas Siegfried and his parents Robert and Mary. He is survived by his wife Margaret (Maggie) Ann Everhart Siegfried of 62+ years who he met while playing music in Columbus, Ohio His military career began at Ft Knox, Kentucky as a Private in November of 1961 and upon completion, he was sent to Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas for Advanced Individual Training. This was also the time when he and Maggie married. While at Ft. Chaffee, he decided he could be a better leader than the Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) he was working for. He then applied for Officer Candidate School (OCS) and was accepted. Later that year he was sent to Ft. Benning, Georgia for OCS. Upon completion and being commissioned a 2LT he went to Ft. Riley, Kansas as a platoon leader. One month later sent TDY (temporary duty) to Berlin, Germany to assist the Berlin Brigade along the wall. 7 months later, back to Ft. Riley and in 1965, reassigned to Ft. Kobbe, Canal Zone, Panama, and later Ft. Clayton. Steve was then promoted to Captain and had his first Company command. Steve and Maggie’s son Benjamin was born at Gorgas Hospital, Canal Zone. He was sent from there to Vietnam as Company Commander of Bravo Co, 5th Bn 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Division. He earned the nickname of “Bravo Bandit.” From Vietnam, Steve was reassigned to Ft. Benning for the Career Course, then instead of being sent right back to Vietnam as he expected, he was selected to get his BA from the school of his choice. Something new the Army was trying for those OCS officers who had no college, though one had to have the equivalent of 2 years which he had obtained by taking many night classes. University of Alabama was selected. Army gave 2 years to complete the course. While there Steve talked to the Dean and requested permission to work on his MA and though never done before at that time was approved and at the end of the two years Steve earned a BA of Science and Commerce in Business Administration in May, and August he earned his MA and during that time frame promoted to Major. Three days after graduation he was on a plane to Vietnam for another one-year tour. Once returning orders for the Army Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. Six months later to Ft. Benning as an instructor at the Infantry School. From there he was selected to be an Exchange Officer to the British School of Infantry and during this time promoted to LTC. Returning orders were for Ft. Polk, Louisiana as Bn Commander of 1/61st Infantry Battalion, (Roadrunners) 2d Bde, 5th Inf Division., and Inspector General (IG). Orders followed for U S Army War College and one year later off to the Pentagon and the War Room. Received promotion to COL and sent to Ft. Benning as a Brigade Commander (CDR) and later CDR of the Infantry Training Center, followed by promotion to BG and orders to Ft Polk as Assistant Division Commander. Orders followed to Ft. Lewis, WA as CDR of the 4th ROTC Region. Promotion to MG and orders to Ft. Jackson, SC as Commander of the Infantry Training Center and Fort Jackson. Orders to the Pentagon followed as the Deputy IG and Acting IG and then retirement. One year later recalled to active duty by the Secretary of the Army to Chair the Secretary of the Army’s Senior Review Panel on Sexual Harassment in the Army. One year later, Steve re-retired from the Army after 35 years. Among his many awards are the CIB, Airborne Wings, British Airborne Wings, 2 Distinguished Service Medals, the Silver Star, Soldiers Medal, Legion of Merit, 2 Bronze star with V Device, 2 Purple Hearts w/V Device and the Good Conduct Medal. Steve was also inducted into the OCS Hall of Fame also the Ft Jackson Hall of Fame. Once retired, he worked for SCANA as a lead developer until he was recalled to active duty; went into consulting business with a partner and their company: The Leadership Academy. As a volunteer, Steve was the first Director of Homeland Security for the state of South Carolina. He also continued to mentor soldiers and leaders by conducting countless Leader Professional Development sessions on Ft. Jackson and other military installations and as a regular volunteer instructor at the Commander/First Sergeant Course. Additionally, enjoyed volunteering in the local community and some highlights include: Vice Chairman of Honor Flight for SC; served on the Board of Directors for the United Way in The Midlands, member of the Capital City Club, member of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, member of Association of the United States Army, and a volunteer at the Chapin We Care Center. Steve was a member of the Chapin Christian Community Church, where he also had been a Stephen Minister and Small Group Study Facilitator. Steve enjoyed playing golf and getting on the lake and going all over. He enjoyed playing the piano, not reading music, just playing by ear, and he and Maggie so enjoyed the many river cruises they were able to take. But the trip taken with the church to Israel was one of his most memorable ones. At the end of it all and with all he loved and enjoyed, there was nothing that could beat being a soldier in the army and having the many opportunities he had to work with and train soldiers. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, 27 March 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapin Christian Community Church, 415 Lexington Avenue, Chapin, South Carolina 29036. Reverend Jody Flowers will officiate. Family will greet friends from 12:00 p.m. until the hour of service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Steve’s memory to the Benjamin Thomas Siegfried Fund, Columbus State University, 4225 University Avenue, Columbus, Georgia 31907.