Kathy Steadman ’78 has been featured in The Pantagraph!
NORMAL — A husband and wife described as avid cyclists and tireless behind-the-scenes workers are Normal’s 2014 Citizens of the Year. Dan and Kathy (Knapp ’78) Steadman were named on Thursday evening during the annual mayoral reception. Dan and Kathy are only the fifth couple to receive the award since it was first given in 1957.
Dan Steadman is president of the Friends of Constitution Trail, and both Dan and Kathy are on the organization’s newsletter and special events committees.
The Steadmans have been foster parents to 13 children, two who who they adopted. The Steadmans also have two sons of their own.
During the reception, a presentation was given in their honor. The presentation included pictures of Dan and Kathy with their children and other family members. One popular photos was of them on their tandem bicycle. The reception was held at the Carol Reitan Conference Center in the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in uptown Normal.
The announcement of the honor was a surprise to Kathy and Ted. Many members of their family that present kept the secret of the honor that caught the Steadmans by surprise. Dan Steadman held up the written remarks he thought he was there to deliver — an update on Constitution Trail. It was actually part of a ruse to ensure the couple would attend the reception, which included not only elected officials and community leaders but also people who serve on various town committees.
“I’ve been practicing all week,” he said, referring to the speech that he never got to make.
“It’s just such a nice honor,” Kathy Steadman said.
“Dan and Kathy do so much and they don’t want any recognition for it,” Mayor Chris Koos said after the announcement. “They give money for projects and they give time for projects. I’ve been watching it over the years.”
He said, “After a storm, you’ll find Dan single-handedly trying to clear the trail of fallen trees.”
Dan Steadman, a dentist, has served on the McLean County Board of Health, including time as president. He performs volunteer dental work in schools and the community. He also is a volunteer bike mechanic for the WalkIn-BikeOut bike giveaway program that is part of West Bloomington Revitalization Project.
Kathy served as a volunteer for CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates), the Pratt Foundation, Beyond the Books and the Glenn Elementary School library.
Both have been Cub Scout leaders and active members of the parent teacher organization.