IRVING, TEXAS — Irwin I. Steinberg, the founder of the Tortilla Industry Association, died April 9 in Dallas following an extended illness. He was 84.

A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Mr. Steinberg served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War. Rising to the rank of first lieutenant, Mr. Steinberg was awarded the Bronze Star.


Mr. Steinberg was the founder and executive director of the Tortilla Industry Association. The group was established in 1989, and he served as executive director for 15 years, beginning in 1990. Earlier, he was president and chief executive officer of Mission Foods.

His tenure at the helm of TIA spanned a period in which the tortilla industry experienced extraordinary growth. The group, based in Arlington, Va., said it helps companies “grow through effective management and marketing techniques.”

The group also “addresses management, regulation, quality control and distribution issues and provides members with educational support through technical seminars, conventions and market research,” TIA added.

Mr. Steinberg is survived by his wife, Mary Jabin Steinberg of the home; sons Laurence Steinberg (Wendy) of Philadelphia and Andrew Steinberg (Roxann) of Chevy Chase, Md.; a sister Dorothy Gottesman, of Boca Raton, Fla.; and three grandchildren.

A memorial service and interment will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10, at the Old Cadet Chapel at the United States Military Academy, in West Point N.Y. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you consider a donation to the American Heart Association.