Divine Word Father Arnold Steffen, 91, who served as provincial superior of Papua New Guinea, died March 12 in Techny.

Born in Iowa, he entered the Divine Word Seminary at age 14 in 1943. He professed religious vows in 1949 and was ordained a priest in 1955.

Father Steffen served for 59 years in Papua New Guinea, witnessing many economic and social changes on the island nation that gained independence in 1975. When he arrived in 1957, roads in the Mount Hagen area were few, and missionaries tended to travel by airplane, on horseback and on foot.

According to Divine Word Brother Aloysius Aisi Oa, who grew up in Papua New Guinea and currently serves at Sts. Anselm and Elizabeth parishes in Chicago, Father Steffen was so attuned to the land and its people that he was affectionately called the “Mountain Goat.”

“People know him well in Papua New Guinea,” said Brother Aloysius. “Many people tell stories about him. He could communicate well with the people, and he walked everywhere. He was very energetic and strong.”

In 1972, Father Steffen was called upon to serve as acting superior. The following year, he became president of Holy Spirit Regional Seminary, which served as the primary major seminary of Papua New Guinea and the British Solomon Islands Protectorate. Father Steffen was elected regional superior in 1976.

In 1981, he completed his administrative work and returned to parish ministry.

In 2016, Father Steffen moved from Papua New Guinea to Techny for retirement. He is survived by one brother, Ralph Steffen.