A craftsman with unique abilities to turn the nature around him into artistic features in his log cabins, John William Steiner’s creations – the numerous Steiner cabins found around Mount Hood and beyond – will continue as a testament to his life.

Steiner died Friday, April 13 at the age of 99.

“He was so compassionate and he really was humble,” said Nancy Dougherty,
a Rhododendron resident who has lived in a Steiner cabin since 1975 and who
helped start the popular Steiner Cabin Tours held yearly by the Mount Hood
Cultural Center and Museum. “He just was amazed that people were
interested in things he built and was flattered. We’ll all miss him.”

Steiner was born Nov. 27, 1912 in Willamette before his family moved to
Brightwood, where his father, Henry, built log cabins. Henry took John out of
school following his sophomore year to help build the cabins, a decision John
did not agree with.

“He never forgave his dad for that,” said Mark Fritch, a good friend to Steiner
who spoke at the funeral held Saturday, April 21 at the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-Day Saints in Sandy. “John never missed a beat, he never stopped
thinking and engaging and being a part of life.”

Steiner joined the Marines after the attack on Pearl Harbor before returning to
Brightwood after he was honorably discharged in 1945. He also returned to
building log cabins, and married Frances Brewer in 1948.

Lloyd Musser, curator of the MHCCM, first met Steiner around 2002 when the
Steiner Cabin Tour first began. While some things had changed since Steiner
first built his cabins (including the names of roads), Musser marveled at how
much Steiner remembered about each one, including specific features about
the building and who lived there.

“I was amazed at his memory,” Musser said. “As soon as he got it clear in his
mind ... he’d tell you who the first owner was and the current owner if he’d
been introduced to them.”

At the time, Steiner estimated there were approximately 100 cabins built by
his family. Musser reports that the MHCCM has documented close to 80 at this
point and he expects Steiner’s estimation to be correct in the end.

“The majority of them are standing and most cases, near original condition,”
added Musser, noting how other cabins built only 50 years ago have already
fallen down. “They’re standing works of art and to me, they’re the thing that
comes to mind when you talk about a cabin in the woods.”

Fritch, owner of Mark Fritch Log Homes in Sandy, first met Steiner
approximately 10 years ago and the pair bonded over their shared craft.

Fritch brought Steiner to a cabin he built and recalled that despite diminished
sight and hearing, Steiner took his time to inspect the logs and joints of the
building.

On the way out, he guessed how much a cabin like that sells for, while
lamenting the fact that the average working man could no longer afford a
hand-crafted log home.

“That was my first clue that this guy was really with it and paying attention to
what was happening in the world,” said Fritch, who nominated Steiner for an
honorary diploma from Sandy High School, which Steiner received in 2009.
“He was just about dead on on the price.”

In 1976, Mountain resident Mike Gudge bought Saint John’s Catholic Church,
also crafted by Steiner, and moved it to its current location in Welches. Gudge
hired Steiner to help restore the building and construct a number of other
buildings, including a shop, a woodshed and a gazebo, around the church.

“Reflecting on all the years John and I worked together, side by side, hand in
hand, on the church and on many more projects, I’m overwhelmed at what
we have accomplished,” wrote Gudge about his experiences with Steiner. “The
legacy he has left, and the unforgettable memories I will cherish forever, of a
truly great friend and a truly good person. I have the utmost respect and
admiration and love for this truly unforgettable person, John Steiner.”

Dougherty did not know her cabin was built by Steiner when she first bought
it, but learned of its origins when she saw a picture of her house with Steiner
and his daughter. Musser cited Dougherty’s cabin as one that features many
of the classic elements that made the Steiner cabins so unique, including
curved tree limbs for banisters, doorknobs and latches built from branches
and Steiner’s signature work on the fireplace.

Dougherty, who also helped initiate the documentation effort of the Steiner
cabins, noted the banister and entrance to her house remain her favorite
aspects created by Steiner.

“They did such a marvelous job of capturing the actual curve that God had
made and turned into a wonderful facet of the house,” said Dougherty, who
raised two children in the house.

Steiner is survived by his older sister, Emma Monner of Elkton; his son and
daughter-in-law, Dick and Cynthia Steiner of Cherryville; and numerous grand
and great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the
Mt. Hood Museum.