Frank Richard Steckel, M.S.

Appalachian State University

Universities and colleges--Faculty

Dr. Richard D. Howe

Mary Elizabeth Gragg

1987

Biographical sketches

Boone (N.C.)

https://www.geonames.org/4456703/boone.html

1980s

2000-2010

Professor Emeritus

Professor Emeritus of Industrial Education and Technology. Frank Richard Steckel (April 6, 1924—), retired college professor and admin­istrator, was born in Minneapolis, Minne­sota, the son of Anna Maas and Frank R. Steckel, Sr. Steckel is married (December 10, 1950) to the former Florence R. Fontain (October 25, 1931 -) and the couple have two daughters, Gail Ann Steckel (December 29, 1952 - ) and Janet Ruth Steckel (July 31, 1957-). Gail Ann married Reverend Mor­gan Gardner (April 25, 1949 - ), and they have one child, John Steckel Gardner (March 11,1976-). Frank Steckel attended Hankinson High School in North Dakota and graduated in 1942. During World War II, from 1943-46, he served in the United States Navy as a radar technician. He served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Steckel owned and operated three radio and television service shops in Grand Forks, North Dakota for 15 years (1947-62). During this time he also worked as a professional draftsman for Lloyds Construction Com­pany, Minot, North Dakota and as an elec­tronics consultant for Scott's Music Store in Grand Forks, North Dakota. His major pro­fessional activity during this time was teach­ing industrial arts electronics courses at Minot Senior High School in Minot, North Dakota from 1950-56, and teaching at the University of North Dakota from 1956-62. In 1950 Steckel received his B.S. de­gree in industrial arts from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. He then joined the faculty of Minot High School in Minot, North Dakota, where he was an instructor and supervisor of industrial arts for six years. During this time Steckel attended the University of North Dakota to work on his M.A. degree in industrial arts which he received in 1957. Steckel then became a member of the faculty at the University of North Dakota as an assistant professor in the Industrial Arts Department. He was promoted to associate professor in 1960 and served as chairman of the Department of Industrial Arts for three years (1960-62). Steckel came to Appalachian State Teachers College (now Appalachian State University) in 1962 as an associate professor in the Department of Industrial Arts. In 1965 Steckel conducted a nationwide electronics tour, covering over 10,000 miles, in which he stressed the importance of industrial arts and electronics in the schools. Steckel was pro­moted to professor in 1970 and served as chairman of the Department of Industrial Arts (now Department of Industrial Educa­tion and Technology) for 15 years (1967-82). During his tenure at Appalachian State University, Steckel served as an electronics education consultant for Hickok Teaching Systems in Cambridge, Massachusetts and as an education consultant for Electronic Indus­tries Association in Washington, D.C. While consulting for Electronic Industries Associa­tion, Steckel chaired instructor workshops during 1974-78. In these workshops, instruc­tors were trained to teach summer seminars to update high school vocational and indus­trial arts teachers in consumer electronics servicing. In 1979 Steckel served as chairman and technical expert for the Vocational Instruc­tional Clubs of America (VICA), and National (USSO) and International Skill Olym­pics (ISO). In 1979 the ISO was held in Cork, Ireland. Steckel was one of the first two Americans to be invited to write the rules for international competition. Steckel has been the national chairman for the VICA National Skill Olympics since 1978. He has also been a member of the steering committee for the USSO since 1981. In 1981 Frank Steckel served as chair­man and technical expert for the ISO when the USA hosted the competition in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, he was a member of the ISO steering committee the same year. In 1985 Steckel served in the same capacity in the ISO in Osaka, Japan. Steckel was appointed as the first in­dustry ambassador to VICA in 1984 and continues to serve in that capacity. Steckel has published articles in School Shop, Industrial Arts, and Vocational Educa­tion magazines. Other publications include: "Beginning Experiments in Electricity and Electron­ics," by Hickok Teaching Systems, 1964. "Beginning Experiments in Electricity and Electron­ics for Instructors." by Hickok Teaching Sys­tems, 1965. "U.S. Skill Olympics-A Good Resource for Recognition," Tech Ed News, by Gregg/ McGraw-Hill, 1981. "The Electronic Industries Association Technician Development Program," Tech Ed News, Gregg/ McGraw-Hill, 1981 "Summer Seminars for Audio Consumer Product Servicing," Tech Ed News, Gregg/McGraw-Hill, 1982. "Servicing Microprocessors in Consumer Products," Tech Ed News, Gregg/McGraw-Hill, 1982. "Using Logic Analyzers for Teaching and Servicing Digital and MPU Circuits," Tech Ed News, Gregg/McGraw-Hill, 1983. "The Adopt-A-School Program: An Industry-Educa­tion Alliance," Tech Ed News, Gregg/McGraw-Hill. 1983. "Working with Winners: the VICA-USSO Competitors," Tech Ed News, Gregg/McGraw-Hill, 1983." While at Appalachian State, Steckel served on the Advisory Council to the Book­store (chairman), the University Teacher Education Council, the College of Fine and Applied Arts Advisory Council, the Thesis Committee, the Committee on College Transfer Students, the College of Fine and Applied Arts Council, the Academic Read-missions Committee, the Appalachian House Advisory Committee, and the Com­mittee to Develop the Faculty Senate (chair­man). Professionally, Steckel was a member of Alpha Taw (Honorary Industrial Arts Fraternity), American Industrial Arts Asso­ciation, North Carolina Industrial Arts Asso­ciation, North Carolina Education Associa­tion (NCEA), American Association of Uni­versity Professors, Lions Club, American Vocational Association, American Council on Industrial Arts Teacher Education, and, National Association of Industrial and Tech­nical Teacher Educators. Steckel retired from his position at Appalachian State University in 1982 and was granted emeritus status by the Board of Trustees the same year. In his retirement Steckel is working as the chief educational consultant for the Elec­tronic Industries Association developing summer workshops in high tech electronics for electronic educators and industry techni­cians. He has also developed "programs of excellence" for the public city schools of Chicago, Illinois and Washington, D.C. He spends a great deal of time thinking about playing golf-and has played on occa­sion. But most important of all, he has found time to enjoy his family--Flo, Gail, Morgan and grandson John, Janet and Kenny--and a lifetime of friends who cover the USA and many other parts of the world. Sources: Appalachian State University Tiles and personal correspondence. . Dr. Richard D. Howe and Miss Mary Elizabeth Gragg