Since 1957, when a 15-year-old Ronald Steen and his brother, Marvin, started renting out their four umbrellas, Steen's Beach Service has been a staple in the area, with eight stands in Bethany and nine in Ocean City.

When Marvin graduated from East Carolina University in 1963, Ron bought him out and has been the sole owner ever since. Though the rates have gone up a little since then -- from 50 cents an hour to $4 -- Steen, now 69, prides himself most in being a good boss and providing excellent customer service.

"I've had employees become lawyers and doctors," he said. "They'll come back and tell me, 'That was the best job I've ever had.' "

Perhaps the most indelible mark Steen has left on the beach is his role of "playing Cupid," as he has a way facilitating beach romance.

For instance, in 1989 when a young lifeguard named Tom Tipton wanted to spend a summer on the beach with his new girlfriend, Kristin, he asked Steen, his former driver's education teacher, if he'd hire her.

Tom and Kristin Tipton will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary this year. Kristin said Steen was a "fatherly figure" the summer she worked for him.

"Ron was great. He always came to visit you on the beach," she said. "He was always there to look out for us young girls and make sure we were doing the right thing. He really just took care of the whole beach in general."

Samantha DiSabatino, 19, is in her sixth summer as a "Steen girl," and said he's an "awesome" boss, though today he's more of a grandfather figure.

"Every day is a laugh when he comes down," she said. "He's very protective. I've been harassed on the beach before and he's yelled at people for me."

Author:Shangyu Tiancheng Umbrella Co.,Ltd
Website:http://www.tcumbrella.com/
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