James B. Steffy

Dear Sue, My deepest condolences to you and your family. I am wishing you and your family courage and peace and hope your happy memories will help you through this difficult time.

This past Sunday, All Saint's Day, Pat Laughbach Hallman '66 and I played the second movement of Haydn's Trumpet Concerto as an offertory. Pat and I played it in my recital in 1965. At that time, Mr. Steffy wrote comments on my music. We are still reading his comments these many years later.
Undoubtedly, he was my most influential music teacher.
Richard Karschner '65

Nancy, Deepest sympathy to and the family on the passing of Jim. Bob and I always enjoyed talking with him at our Discussion Group meetings. Sue and Bob Ritter

I first met Mr. Steffy (told him he will ALWAYS be "Mr. Steffy" to me!) in junior high, when he was the guest conductor for the Perry County (PA) Band Festival. He returned again in either my junior or senior year. Those experiences weighed heavily in my decision to become a music ed major at S.U. Ever the task master, his dedication to his students, as well as his musicianship, were always evident. He was able to get such great results conducting wind ensembles, with a sound I call the...

How many of us are fortunate enough to have a true mentor in their lives? Besides my father, Jim Steffy filled that role in my life in a way for which I will always be grateful. I remember when I first met him at my audition at Susquehanna University in the winter of 1974. The warm greeting and handshake, his unpretentious manner. I was comfortable immediately, and would say he was a primary difference maker in my decision to study music at SU. As we got to know one another, we both...

I enjoyed many years of working with Jim at Muhlenberg College on its building projects. He was very understanding of the design, decision making and team building process. And a delight to interact with.

It was a long time ago but Mr. Steffy and Susquehanna U. was always in my memory. Our Bermudian Springs HS band was at a band day at a football game back in 1964. I don't remember any other particulars but I never forgot Director Steffy's name and friendliness from that one big day in Selinsgrove. The Steffy family and all others close to Mr. Steffy have my heartfelt sympathy.

Nancy - our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Jim was such a great guy. He was one of the best things to happen to Muhlenberg college, and he certainly was very very good to us over the years. One of the really really good people. Mike and Jane Bruckner