Philip Henry Steckler III

Philip Henry Steckler III of Newmarket, NH, passed away on January 26, 2024, with his wife and three children by his side. Phil is remembered for his warmth, positivity, and legacy of broad-reaching community impact.

Phil was born in Wilmington, DE, on December 9, 1944, to Lois (Riegelman) and Philip H. Steckler, Jr. He grew up in Scarsdale, NY, and graduated from Principia Upper School in Clayton, MO.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Vermont and master’s degree in economics from the University of Missouri-Columbia.  

Phil’s early career in Vermont included teaching math and economics at Mount Anthony Union High School in Bennington before moving to Brattleboro in 1971 and managing the regional office of Berkley & Veller Real Estate. Phil became a principal of Country Business, Inc. in 1976, where he spent the remainder of his career assessing, brokering, and stewarding businesses throughout New England.

Phil was deeply engaged in economic, cultural, educational, and sport activities in the community. He contributed to advisory roles, on boards and committees, and as trustee for numerous regional organizations, among them:  Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce; Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation; Brattleboro Noon Rotary Club; Brattleboro Outing Club; Latchis Arts; New England Business Brokers Association; Pure Water for the World; and Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Phil’s leadership in the community was recognized by the Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce in 2007 as Persons of the Year together with his wife Marcia. He received the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from the Brattleboro Rotary Club in 2008 for exemplifying “service above self.” In recent years he served as Treasurer of the Board for Marlboro College, and as mentor for local entrepreneurs through the Seacoast (NH) Chapter of SCORE.

Phil was a life-long Christian Scientist. As a member of the Christian Science Branch Church in Brattleboro for over 40 years, Phil served in numerous capacities, among them Sunday School teacher, First Reader, board officer, and other committee roles. Following his relocation to Newmarket, NH, in 2020, Phil attended services as a member of the Christian Science Church in Dover (NH).

Phil loved to participate in competitive sports, coaching high school football and alpine skiing while in Bennington VT and eventually coaching both youth and adult ice hockey teams in Brattleboro VT.  For many years, Phil was one of the top tennis players in southern Vermont. He also enjoyed playing on the Reformer Softball Team, and he rarely missed a Tuesday night session of ice hockey at the local rink. During the late 1970’s and early 80’s, Phil helped to organize the Brattleboro Outing Club’s Washington’s Birthday X-C Ski Race. Some of Phil’s other favorite outdoor activities included sailing, fishing, kayaking, rowing, golf, and walking his beloved Labrador Retrievers in the woods.

Phil is survived by his wife of 54 years Marcia (Schenk) of Newmarket, daughter Erica and her spouse P. Bradley Rosen of Lincoln MA, son David Steckler of Brattleboro, son Peter and his spouse Erin Aeschliman Steckler of Brentwood NH, and 7 grandchildren: Collin, Asher, Brenner, Nel, Tait, Anna, and Amalia. 
 
A celebration of Phil’s life will be held on Saturday, May 18^th from 2-4pm at the Brattleboro Country Club, 58 Senator Gannett Drive, Brattleboro VT. The Cremation Society of New Hampshire has been entrusted with arrangements. To view an online tribute or leave a message of condolence please visit www.csnh.com. Contributions in his memory may be made to Youth Services in Brattleboro or to a charity of choice.