Bernard Herbert Springsteel

St. Augustine - Bernard Herbert Springsteel, 94, of St. Augustine, passed away Saturday, August 2, 2025, at the Bailey Family Center for Caring in St. Augustine. He was born December 24th , 1930, and raised in Dobbs Ferry, New York. Known by friends and family as “Bernie”, he was predeceased by his parents Herbert Joseph Springsteel and Cecilia (Duffy) Springsteel, sister Marie (Springsteel) Kinsella and husband Edward Kinsella, and his second wife of 37 years, Marcia Pollak. He graduated from Manhattan Prep High School in the Bronx and the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, with a BFA in Illustration in 1953. Subsequently, he was employed as art director for Good Housekeeping, McCall's and other magazines. He also worked as an illustrator and designer. Despite his demanding job as an art director in New York City, Bernie painted oils and watercolors and sculpted during weekends and holidays. His artistic works are centered on historic homes, barns, windmills and other traditional structures as well as watercraft. Much of his work was created on the North and South Forks of Eastern Long Island where he vacationed with his family for many years and later resided. Since his retirement, he had devoted himself to watercolor painting and sculpture. Bernard is the author of six books - Carpentry & Rough Wood, Bernard Herbert Springsteel, A Life in Art, Volume 2 & Volume 3, Figure Drawing Through the Eyes of this artist, and The Figure of Life. He also built several wooden boats, numerous small wooden structures including sheds and bridges, and some furniture. Some of these works are featured in his book, Carpentry & Rough Wood. His work has been featured in numerous art galleries in the Northeast. Examples of his work can be found in the permanent collections of the Pratt Institute, the Brooklyn Historical Society, the Suffolk County Historical Society and the Bridgehampton Museum. Bernard formerly operated the Springsteel Art Gallery in Greenport, New York. In recognition of his artistic talent, Bernard was elected to New York City Prestigious Salmagundi Club, one of the oldest art organizations in the United States”. He traveled to many countries and resided, in addition to Dobbs Ferry, in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Ghent, Amagansett & Southold, NY, West Orange, NJ and lastly, St. Augustine, FL. During his last few years in Florida, Bernie brought the neighbors together in ways we didn’t expect. Caring and helping him connected the neighbors, and he was always ready to offer a hand right back, whether it was a lawnmower for Kelli or offers to watch Noah when he was a toddler. Bernie kept his mind and body active right to the end, never turning down a lunch of raw clams at Commander’s. We will miss his wit, generosity, and the way he kept us all connected. He is survived by his faithful friends and neighbors, Carmen, Tanya & Nick, Michelle, Pat, Kelli and John, Gabby the outdoor cat, Perrita his doggie pal, children Lise Aimee Springsteel & partner Fred Rollefsen, Peter Springsteel & wife Joyce, Adam Springsteel & wife Sari, the mother of his children, Elizabeth (Barletta) Springsteel, niece Karen (Kinsella) Gallagher (James), nephews John Kinsella and Kevin Kinsella, and 7 grandchildren, Daniel, Bennett (Brianna), Jacob (Leiddy), Ellen, Annika, Kristian & Jake. There are no calling hours. Donations in Bernie’s honor may be made to the charity of your choice.

Bernard Herbert Springsteel

December 24, 1930 - August 2, 2025