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Steffens, Dietrich Henry (Dick)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: April 11, 1922- November 14, 2006

D. H. Steffens, better known as Dick, was a Registered Professional Land Surveyor. Mr. Steffens was also the President of D. H. Steffens Company in La Plata and Lexington Park. He received a B.S. in 1943 from Washington College in Chestertown and completed graduate work in civil engineering at Purdue University (1943) and Johns Hopkins University (1946).

Serving in the U.S. Army in the European Theatre from 1943-1945 during World War II, he was awarded the Purple Heart, two Battle Stars and the Bronze Star. He also spent time as a POW when captured during the Battle of the Bulge.

Returning to Charles County he took over the business founded by his father, Louis Henry Steffens, and was elected County Surveyor in 1954. He served as president of the Maryland Society of Surveyors in 1985 and was chosen as Maryland Surveyor of the Year in 1988. In 2000 he was honored by the Democratic Central Committee at the annual Truman-Kennedy Day dinner.

A life long Lutheran, he was instrumental in the founding of Grace Lutheran Church and School in La Plata where he served as the first congregational president, chairman of the first building committee and even Sunday school superintendent.

Mr. Steffens was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order Court of Honor. He also served as a member of the Alumni Council and a member of the Visiting Committee at Washington College, his alma mater. A member of the Southern Maryland Society, he was elected president in 1968. He was also an active member of the Board of Trustees at Sotterley Plantation in St. Mary's County.

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