Ronald Ganse Steelman

Ronald Ganse Steelman, 77, of Aberdeen passed away peacefully on Monday, July 31, 2023, at Bayshore Medical Center, Holmdel, New Jersey.  Ron was born on May 20, 1946, in Columbus, Ohio where he graduated from Eastmoor High School and attended The Ohio State University, where he proudly played drums in the OSU Marching Band. He also worked professionally as a drummer.  He went on to work as a professional actor, performing multiple roles in plays by Shakespeare, Moliere, and other classics and modern works with many professional regional theater companies.  He was a member of Actors Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA during his successful career as an actor, writer, and producer.  Ron’s talents were recognized with two Emmy Awards and one Addy Award for his work in front of and behind the camera and microphone on television and in radio.  In addition, Ron worked in advertising and owned his own agencies in Ohio, California, and New Jersey.  After moving to Aberdeen in 2003 he was the Marketing Director at Two River Theater in Red Bank, NJ. 

Ron was proud to be a Secular Humanist, serving as the first President of Red Bank Humanists in Red Bank, NJ, a non-profit educational organization he co-founded in 2003. 

Ron is predeceased by his beloved parents, Raymond Jack and Dorothy Mae (Bracken) Steelman, his first wife Linda N. Steelman and a brother, Raymond Tim Steelman. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Elaine R. (Smith) Steelman, his daughter Alissa Nelyn Steelman of Columbus, Ohio, a son William Hunter Steelman of Charleston, South Carolina, a brother, Randall Scott Steelman of Columbus, Ohio as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was a devoted son, husband, father, brother and uncle. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

Shore Point Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 3269 State Highway/Route 35 North, Hazlet, New Jersey 07730 was entrusted with arrangements. In respect of Ron’s wishes he will be privately cremated.  Details of a memorial reception will be posted here soon. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Red Bank Humanists https://www.redbankhumanists.org or the humanist organization of your choice, or to the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund - https://entertainmentcommunity.org/ ).  For more information or to send the family condolences please visit www.shorepointfh.com.

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