Death of Steinhour a great loss for tourism [October 10, 2009]  Geoff Ladd, director of the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County, was saddened by the news that a personal friend as well as a true friend to Logan County had died in an unfortunate accident.

Pictured, left to right, at the July 4 dedication of the Stagecoach Inn wayside exhibit are Hal Smith, Looking for Lincoln director; Terry Steinhour; and Geoff Ladd, tourism director.

The following is a release by Ladd on how important Steinhour was to area tourism.

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Terry Steinhour was a great man who accomplished many goals and completed many projects for the benefit of tourism. Terry had his roots in Logan County -- specifically Middletown, and yet he was such a valuable force in Greenview and Menard County as well.

I was at a loss for words when the news (reached me) of the death of my colleague and friend, who died in a tragic accident Wednesday evening. I couldn't believe the phone calls coming in and kept hoping that it wouldn't be true.

I first met Terry about seven or eight years ago when I was still working at Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Jacksonville bureau at the time was exploring working together with neighboring tourism entities in Cass and Menard counties. Terry had been a long-standing board member of Menard County Tourism Council. When I moved over to Logan County, he and I renewed our working relationship, and our friendship grew. I got to know his wife, Phyllis, as well, and my heart goes out to her and the entire family at this time of such a loss.

What Terry always brought to the table was intelligence, common sense and a great sense of humor. He had a passion for tourism. He was a driving force behind the Stagecoach Inn restoration project in Middletown and the obtaining of the subsequent Looking for Lincoln wayside exhibit that was dedicated for the site on July 4 of this year (see photo). I spent some time with him figuring out the wording and graphics for the exhibit, and I could tell how proud he was that this project had gotten this far and would be forever part of Abraham Lincoln history. The Stagecoach Inn was a stopping point for Lincoln as he traveled along the Springfield-to-Peoria stagecoach road.

I also worked with him on Middletown's 175th anniversary celebration in 2007. I'll never forget the night we were at a planning meeting at Village Hall and the electricity was out. It didn't stop the meeting, as it kept going till 9:45 p.m. -- in the darkness, by flashlight!

Later, when we brought all the Abraham Lincoln interests and entities together under the rekindled Abraham Lincoln Heritage Foundation of Logan County (founded originally by another great Logan County visionary, Les Sheridan), Terry was always there and always making valuable contributions. He would take the time out of his busy schedule to make the drive from Greenview to Lincoln for these meetings.

During these last four years, I have continued to work with him through his affiliation with Menard County Tourism Council as well. Our two bureaus have been talking about ways to partner together to help promote each other's sites, and his death is a reminder to me of how important those types of partnerships were to him and how we should continue down that road.

I will miss you, Terry, but I guarantee you will not be forgotten. Rest in peace, my friend.

[By GEOFF LADD, executive director, Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County]

(Obituary: Terry Steinhour)