Ralph Steinberg

     JUDGE RALPH STEINBERG, age 92 passed away on August 2, 2023, surrounded by his
loving family, in Tampa Florida. Ralph was born on October 21, 1930, in Trenton, New Jersey to
Sarah and Josef Steinberg. He was raised in Freehold, New Jersey, Ralph’s teenage interests
were sports, primarily baseball, music, and comedy! He was a graduate of Freehold High
School and was a first team all-state left-handed pitcher. He attended Rutgers University from
1948 to 1949. Major league baseball scouts expressed an interest in him, especially the
Cincinnati Reds, who spring trained in Tampa, FL. He made his way to Tampa, Florida, and
transferred to the University of Tampa where he obtained a BS degree in Business
Administration, while playing college, semi-pro and one year of professional baseball. He
entered the U.S. Army in November 1953, where he served honorably during the Koren War.
After his discharge, Ralph entered Stetson University College of Law, and graduated in January
1959. He was admitted to the Florida Bar on May 25, 1959. Ralph worked briefly for the Florida
Attorney General’s office before opening a law practice engaging in the general practice of law.
On December 21, 1977, Ralph was appointed to serve as a County Court Judge in Hillsborough
County, Florida by Governor Reuben Askew. After serving for a few years in that capacity,
Ralph was elevated to the Circuit Court bench where he would remain until his retirement in
2000. Thereafter he served as a Senior Judge until 2015.

     Ralph was known throughout the Tampa legal community as a fair, intelligent, and effective
jurist. He was also known as an entertainer as he sometimes would lighten up the proceedings
with a well-timed joke or even his latest magic trick, of which he had hundreds. Always serious
and concerned while presiding from the Bench, Ralph always knew the correct time to inject
some lightheartedness into stressful proceedings. Always dedicated and involved in the
community, Ralph formerly served as President of Beth Israel Synagogue and the Hillel School
of Tampa. Ralph was dedicated to Judaism and Israel and was a member of Congregation
Rodeph Sholom synagogue until his passing and his faith served as a guide to his approach to
life.

     Ralph was also a mentor to hundreds of young attorneys in Tampa, stressing to always be
properly prepared and to represent clients to the fullest, but to never take matters in Court
personally or allow them to encroach on one’s personal relationships.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Marlene Steinberg. They were blessed to enjoy 70 years of
marriage. Ralph is also survived by his son, Michael Steinberg (wife Miriam Steinberg), and
daughters, Joanne Dix, and Susan Steinberg Sandler (husband Alan Sandler), all of whom he
was imminently proud. Ralph is also survived by eight grandchildren Jacklyn Steinberg, Sam
Samson, Sarah Steinberg, Ester Steinberg Gardenswartz, Brian Samson, Allison Sandler
Marissa Sandler, and Erica Dix Nikolaidis and five great grandchildren, Henry Nikolaidis, Nash
Samson, Moses Gardenswartz, Nathan Gardenswartz, and Landry Samson, for whom he had
great affection and who always loved to see the newest magic trick from their “PopPop.”
Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, August 6, 2023, at 10:00am, at Rodeph Sholom
Synagogue. Pallbearers: Jacklyn Steinberg, Sam Samson, Sarah Steinberg, Ester Steinberg
Gardenswartz, Brian Samson, Allison Sandler, Marissa Sandler, and Erica Dix Nikolaidis.

Ralph believed in supporting his community. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be
made in Ralph's name to Congregation Rodeph Shalom
(https://www.rsholom.org/payment.php) or to the charity of your choice.
Live stream at Rodeph Shalom:
https://www.rsholom.org/live-streaming.html. 
 
Join Zoom Meeting at the time of the graveside service at Beth Israel Cemetery:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8138743330?pwd=N0kzOWt5d3BIOHJHUk1KOEkwQ3Fvdz09
Meeting ID: 813 874 3330
Passcode: SEGAL2023
.