Private First Class Steffan was a member of Company B, 712th Transportation Railroad Operation Battalion, U.S. Army. He suffered severe electrical shock while painting a roof and hit an electric transmission line. He was taken to the 121st Evacuation Hospital where he died on 25 June 1953.

Steffan was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.