Professor Emeritus Dr. Ray Steiner, 72, of Bowling Green, passed away Thursday, February 13, 2014.
Ray was born in New York, New York to the late Joseph and Clara (Levine) Finkelstein. He married Carol
Cooper at the Monroe St. Methodist Church in 1972 and she survives in Bowling Green.
Also surviving are his sister Sharon Perry of Tucson, Arizona; nephew John (Tamera) Perry of Springfield,
Missouri ;and great-nephews James and Cody.
Ray received his Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona in 1963
and then his Master’s of Science in 1965. In 1968, Ray received his Ph. D. from the Arizona State
University, where he did his thesis “On the units in a quadratic field with applications to
Mordell’s equation.” During his time in college Ray had two publications in mathematics.
In 1968, Dr. Steiner became an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Bowling Green State University and
in 1972 became an Associate Professor of Mathematics and Statistics. In 1979, Dr. Steiner became a
Professor of Mathematics and Statistics at Bowling Green State University, where he taught classes to
Undergraduates, Graduate students, until his retirement in 1998.
During his career at Bowling Green State University, Dr. Steiner had over 35 publications in numerous
books and papers. Dr. Steiner was a reviewer for the Mathematical Review as well as the Zentrablatt fur
Mathematik.
Dr. Steiner was a member of the NCTM, the American Mathematical Society, Mathematical Association of
America, the Fibonacci Association, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Northern Ohio
Mathematics Group. Dr. Steiner also was a member in the Honorary Societies of Tau Beta Pi in
Engineering, Pi Mu Epsilon in Mathematics and Dobro Slovo in Slavic Studies.
Dr. Steiner, even though he taught mathematics, had other interests. He was fluent in nine languages and
also enjoyed studying music. He played the violin and the viola. During his undergraduate and graduate
studies, Ray played for the orchestras in Tucson, Arizona where he had guest performances with Howard
Hanson, Ferde Groffe and Aaron Coplain.
When Ray came to Bowling Green, he played in the First Presbyterian Church in the Handbell Choir and also
at the First Christian Church in its Handbell Choir until his passing. Dr. Steiner also enjoyed doing
puzzles in Game Magazine, his Ham Radio and was certified to do Morse Code.
Visitation for Dr. Steiner will be on Friday March 21, 2014 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the DECK-HANNEMAN FUNERAL
HOME & CREMATORY, 1460 W. Wooster St., P.O Box 648, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday March 22, 2014 at 11 a.m. in the First Christian
Church, 875 Haskins Road, Bowling Green.
Memorial contributions may be made to Northwood Schools, 600 Lemoyne Rd., Northwood OH 43619. Two scholarships have been established in their names.
Online condolences, as well as fond memories, may be shared with Dr. Steiner’s family by visiting
www.hannemanfh.com.