Richard (Dick) Patrick William Steele

Richard Patrick William Steele, Dick (1945 – 2024) was born to Eileen and William Steele on 12th September 1945 in Welwyn Garden City, a younger brother to Anna.  Living in Brockett Close and then Beehive Green, Richard attended Templewood School.

Achieving his childhood ambition of learning to fly airplanes, Dick became a Flying Instructor for BOAC before becoming a pilot for BOAC, Laker Airways, Airbus, Kuwait Airways, Virgin and Twinjet.  He flew Britten Norman Islander planes from the Isle of Wight and in 1974, at the Paris Airshow.

In addition to being a pilot, Dick had many livelihoods.  He went into farming, the second time venturing into organic farming at Godshill Park Farm on the Isle of Wight.  He owned a Tiger Moth and N3N biplanes and bought the Isle of Wight (Sandown) Airport, putting on annual air shows.

He owned many types of cars, including, Rover, Volvo, Land Rover and an E-type Jaguar, Morgan, AC Cobra, Porsche 911S Targa, Bentley and Rolls Royce.  He built a Gilbert Invader Coupe 1975 and Dutton kit car as well as a 16-foot sailing dingy.

Dick was a member of the Labour Party and Green Party and supported Extinction Rebellion.  He was passionate about preserving the planet for future generations.

With Jackie, his first wife, Dick had two children Sarah and Patrick.  With his second, Helen, he had Emma and Jo and with Gilly, three children, Andrew, Beulah and Harry.