Father of Right to Work Ed Steimel Laid to Rest

Ed Steimel, one of the most influential Louisianians of the 20th Century, passed away April 6 at the age of 94.  Steimel was born in Pocahontas, Arkansas, on January 20, 1922.  He studied journalism at Arkansas State and moved to Baton Rouge in 1951 to work for Public Affairs Research Council, where was executive director from 1955 to 1975.

He was the first president of Louisiana Association of Business & Industry and authored Louisiana’s Right to Work Law in 1976, which passed despite great opposition. He was a fierce opponent of legalized gambling and was able to prevent its passage until after he retired in 1988. Funeral services were at St. Thomas More.