Peter Wayne Steelman

July 30, 2021

CHARLOTTE - Peter Wayne Steelman was born on March 31, 1964 in Cincinnati, Ohio and died on July 30, 2021 after a 17 month battle with AML (acute myeloid leukemia). He is the son of Catherine Guenther Hoerst Fields and Edwin Roy Steelman. Peter grew up in southeastern Indiana and graduated from Rising Sun High School in 1982. He attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana and graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Composition. After graduation, Peter moved to New York City and initially worked for Richard Kove Associates and Kidder, Peabody & Co. While in NYC, Peter started a restaurant review business; it was his first entrepreneurial pursuit. He attended Columbia Business School and graduated with an MBA in 1993. After graduation he moved to Chicago, IL and worked for Citicorp and Bank of Montreal. In 1999, he and his family moved to Charlotte, NC to work for First Union/Wachovia. Peter left the bank in 2004 to co-found FSC Laboratories - a pediatric-focused specialty pharmaceutical company. After twelve years as the President and CEO of FSC, he started work with Deerfield Management Company in 2016 where he was a partner.

While at DePauw, Peter met Sara (Hatfield) and they were married on April 7, 1990. Peter and Sara enjoyed over 31 wonderful years of marriage and shared so many joyful experiences and adventures. Peter loved being a father to their three sons and was immensely proud of his “three boys:” Grant, Trent, and Kurt.

Peter will be remembered as a genuinely kind person who accepted everyone on their own terms. He was a hard worker and a great team player. He was very organized and devoted to supporting his family and making sure they had every opportunity that he could provide. Peter enjoyed going to the beach (Kiawah Island), running and keeping fit, traveling, and spending time in NYC.

Peter is survived by his wife, Sara (Hatfield) Steelman; his sons, Grant William (25) of Columbus, OH, Trent Andrew (24) of Chicago, IL, and, Kurt David (19) of Charlotte, NC. He is also survived by his parents, Catherine Hoerst Fields of Cold Spring, KY and Edwin Roy Steelman of Dillsboro, IN; and his sister, Martina Ball of Dillsboro, IN.

Peter lived life to the fullest and would want those that loved him to pursue their dreams and cherish every day and the opportunities that it brings.

The memorial service for Peter will be on Friday, August 6, 2021 at 3:00 PM at Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC. The family will receive friends in the atrium of the church immediately following the service.  Please join the family via livestream at https://boxcast.tv/view/peter-steelman-memorial-service-767015

Donations in memory of Peter can be made to: Kiawah Conservancy - https://kiawahconservancy.org 
or the Deerfield Foundation (contact Mark Veich - Mveich@deerfield.com).

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

 

 

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  • Mark Taylor

    Dear Sara,
    We have not met but I worked with Peter from 2016 to this year. He financed our company, and played a big role in the development of our product. We had huge respect for him. He knew the pharma business cold, and as an operator, could understand the trials and tribulations one goes through to innovate. We are a small team, and relied on Peter a lot. He was a great man, and a good friend. I knew of his battle, but never did he complain. In fact, he was anxious to contribute until earlier this year when he explained to us that he needed time. Peter always spoke fondly of you and his boys. We are very saddened to hear of Peter's passing and offer our sincere condolences to you and your family. We will miss Peter, and will work even harder to succeed. He would want that!
    With respect
    Mark Taylor

  • Maria Ayala Healy

    Dear Sara, I can not believe what I just read. I was trying to find you again after all these years and ran across Pete's obituary. I am so sorry for your incredible loss. I hope to reconnect in the near future. Sending prayers of strength and comfort to you and your boys. With love, Maria Ayala Healy-

  • Anne Henderson (Hawkins)

    Sara, Grant, Trent and Kurt. Seeing this obituary of Pete saddens me deeply. I am so sorry for your loss. It has been a long time since I have seen you all but I have many fond memories of being with Sara and Pete by the tennis courts and soccer fields. Pete's love for his family was steadfast and pure. I don't think he ever missed a game that his boys were playing. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Much Love, (Coach) Anne Henderson (Hawkins)

  • Jim and Susan Hatfield

    Dear Sara, Grant, Trent, Kurt,
    Although we are not able to attend Pete's funeral services in person, we will be attending virtually online. Please know that you are in our thoughts as we mourn his loss together with you and with his many friends and family. We wish for your acceptance of his transition and for your peace of mind as you cope with Pete's absence in your lives.

  • David Curry

    Pete and I graduated together at Rising Sun. He was one of the best guys I knew. He will be sadly missed by so many from Rising Sun Indiana. I will miss your smile. Say HI to Rob Brindley and all of our other classmates that are in Heaven. Love ya brother. And to his family I am so sorry for your loss.

  • Irene Hale

    I was so incredibly sad to hear of Peter's passing - what a loss to his family and all who have had the good fortune to know him. I had the wonderful experience of working with Peter for a few years at Bank of Montreal. Peter was brilliant, kind, dedicated, and hilariously funny. We had a great team and it was a very special time. Peter's family was young and growing at the time, and he entertained us with fun stories about parenting. I will always picture Peter smiling. Sara, my heartfelt condolences to you, Grant, Trent, Kurt and your entire family.

  • Kristi Bruton

    No words can possibly convey how deeply sorry I am for the loss of such an incredible man, husband, and father. My love and prayers are with you in this difficult time.

  • Cindy Cornett Meinking

    I was so shocked to read of Peter’s passing. He grew up down the road from me in Ohio County Indiana. Even though Peter was younger, we were in 4-H together and shared some great times! Peter was such a caring and thoughtful person even as a young teen-ager so it does not surprise me of his love for his family and life in general. Sincere condolences to his wife, sons, sister and mother. May he Rest In Peace and be forever remembered as the loving and wonderful man that he became.

  • Michael Kline

    I had the pleasure of working closely with Peter during his years of professional engagement with UNC Chapel Hill. Peter was a true gentleman with a natural ability to communicate and work together with people. He believed in his mission and wanted to make a difference in the world, and he did. Peter spoke fondly and often of his family and sons, who routinely came up in conversation. We had some great laughs too. Peter is greatly missed, and I will always remember him very fondly. My condolences to his family and everyone that he touched.

  • Kim Stegemiller Calvin

    Pete was one of my closest friends while growing up in Rising Sun. Our friendship started in grade school because our names were in alphabetical order and we were always next to each other in lines,etc. It grew from there and he ended up being one of my best friends. I have many great memories of cruising around town in his MG, playing tennis in the summer, and hitting the clubs in Cincinnati. After college, we both went on with our lives and didn´t do very well at keeping in touch, but he was still a good friend. My condolences to Sara and Grant, Trent, and Kurt and also to his mom & sister. Pete had a great impact on my life and many others and he will be missed.

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