Stephen R. Steinbrink was born December 13, 1944, in Falls City, NE to Ralph and Nettie Spears Steinbrink and passed away peacefully on January 20, 2022 in Dallas, TX.
Steve graduated from Falls City High School with the class of 1963 and attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 1967 where he earned a degree in business.
Steve joined the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in 1967 in Kansas City, MO, and was commissioned a national bank examiner in 1970. Steve quickly advanced in the Kansas City office and in 1977, he was promoted to the position of Deputy Regional Administrator of National Banks for the Southwest Region in Dallas, Texas. In December 1977 he married Joan Hueffner of Kansas City.
In 1983 Steve was appointed Director for Bank Supervision at the OCC headquarters in Washington, D.C. He was named Deputy Comptroller for Multinational Banking in March 1990 and in July 1991 became Senior Deputy Comptroller for Bank Supervision Operations. From March 1992 to April 1993, Mr. Steinbrink served as Acting Comptroller of the Currency, the highest ranking bank regulator in the U.S. As acting comptroller, Steve testified before congress, was a member of the FDIC board which met frequently with the Federal Reserve and Treasury department. He was known for his fairness, good judgment, keen wit, sense of humor and steady hand.
In 1996 he retired as Senior Deputy Comptroller for Supervision Operations. He led the bank regulatory agency through some of the most difficult economic times in U.S. history as many banks in Texas and elsewhere were failing due to sharp declines in commercial real estate values. Steve left his mark on the OCC and on those with whom he worked.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Ann Shymkeciwz. He is survived by his loving wife Joan, nieces and nephews and many friends.
A memorial celebration will be held this spring in Dallas. Memorials may be sent to the donor’s favorite animal shelter.
