Moise Steeg Jr., philanthropist and civic activist, dies at 94
08-24-2010 Times Picayune
Submitted by N.O.V.A.


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Moise Steeg Jr., a philanthropist and civic activist whose work on behalf of New Orleans and its citizens
spanned seven decades, died Friday at his New Orleans home. He was 94.

A soft-spoken man who continued practicing real-estate law until 10 days before his death, Mr. Steeg traced
his community involvement to the statewide reform election of 1939, in which voters swept out the last
members of Huey P. Long's political machine. His last initiative, in 2008, was a fundraising drive to
establish a Jewish studies class at Loyola University, where he had been a longtime member of the Board of
Trustees.

In between, Mr. Steeg's zeal resulted in such achievements as the Police Foundation, the Business Council of
New Orleans, a commission to preserve landmarks outside the French Quarter, Woldenberg Park and the
blockbuster "Treasures of Tutankhamun" exhibit, which drew 870,595 people to the New Orleans Museum of Art
in late 1977 and early 1978.

"If he saw a need, he would contribute, and he would assist, and he was willing to work and give of
himself," said Roswell Weil, a close friend of Steeg's since the men were children. "Many people will give
money to a cause; he was willing to work."

His work was rewarded. Mr. Steeg received The Times-Picayune Loving Cup, the Weiss Award from the National
Conference of Christians and Jews, the 1994 New Orleans Bar Association Presidents' Award, the Hannah G.
Solomon Award from the Greater New Orleans section of the National Council of Jewish Women and the 2002
Mayor's Arts Award, which he shared with his wife, Melba Law Steeg.

Both Steegs served on the museum's board, and they were avid collectors of paintings by artists such as Joan
Miro and Marc Chagall, Chinese ceramics and figurines, and enough Tiffany glass pieces to fill two cases.
Mr. Steeg published a book, "Tiffany Favrile Art Glass," and he lent the collection to the museum for an
exhibit in 1991.

In a 2005 interview, Mr. Steeg attributed his long involvement in civic activities to his father and
grandfather, who emigrated to the United States from Alsace, France.

Although neither man told Mr. Steeg that such participation was expected, "they set an example and, in
effect, said it was in appreciation for the freedom they were able to have here."

A native New Orleanian, Mr. Steeg earned a law degree at Tulane University. He graduated in 1937, shortly
before the emergence of the political movement that swept to victory in Louisiana in the 1939 elections.

Mr. Steeg was a founder of the People's League, a reform organization that produced such leaders as Hale
Boggs, a law school classmate who served a long career in Congress, and de Lesseps "Chep" Morrison, who was
elected New Orleans' reform mayor after World War II.

Mr. Steeg, who was a lawyer in the Army Air Corps during World War II, practiced law in New Orleans in a
firm bearing his name.

He was a co-founder of the Urban League of Greater New Orleans, drafted the ordinance that created the
Historic District Landmarks Commission, and worked with doctors to set up centers for treating mentally
handicapped children and youngsters with muscular dystrophy and dyslexia. Mr. Steeg also helped found the
Youth Leadership Program, which was organized to help at-risk youngsters turn their lives around.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Robert Steeg; two daughters, Barbara Steeg Midlo of
Jerusalem and Marion Steeg Bustamante of San Jose, Calif.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service was held Tuesday. Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home was in charge of
arrangements.