Stephen-Powell-Obituary

Stephen Powell

Birmingham, Kentucky

Nov 26, 1951 – Mar 16, 2019 (Age 67)

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BORN
November 26, 1951
DIED
March 16, 2019
AGE
67
LOCATION
Birmingham, Kentucky

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On March 16, 2019, Stephen Rolfe Powell left this world. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Steve's southern drawl will forever be heard delivering silliness and encouragement in the ears of all who knew him. Steve was the loving husband of Shelly, the indefatigable father of Piper and Oliver, and...

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I met Steve when he arrived at Centre in the 80's. We played volleyball together for many fun filled years. I really got to know him via our time together helping him plan and implement his glass studio on top of the Norton Center for the Arts building. I will always treasure the time. Remarkable man in a world that will be much less remarkable without him.

Steve Chief was an important person that I had the chance to study with in the MFA program at LSU.
To his wife and two sons my sincere condolences and to his extensive family, collègues and friends.
Steve had a brilliant career but what really I will always remember was his humanity, his ability to include everyone and his sense of humour
Since he has passed away to another dimension, I have been thinking of the gift we had to share space and time together building the world.

Our deepest condolences to his family. We are a collector and very proud to own one of Stephen's masterpieces. We were also an acquaintance through the glass world and we feel a major loss on his passing.
Robert and Alice Matanky

I met Stephen Powell thru Tom and Ginny Marsh, ceramic professors who taught at the University of Louisville. I was introduced to firing wood kilns when Stephen invited the U of L ceramics students to come fire with Centre College. I last saw Stephen at the home of Christy Brown during a Festival of Faith event.

I extend my sympathy to the family.

May God continue to watch over you and yours.

Peace and love always,

Elmer Lucille Allen

Steve was a colleague of my sister Dr. Georgeann Murphy when they taught together at Centre College and I was blessed to of met him a few times. He always showed kindness and joy ! His light and his spirit shall continue to always glow in the gifts of his amazing beautiful glass art he has left this world. His talent as a glass blower and art teacher was such an amazing gift to all and the world. My heart goes out to his family with healing prayers. R.I.P. Steve
Jane Lupi

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your loved one. May reflecting on all the good times you've shared together help ease the pain that you feel. May the God of all comfort strengthen you during this time of sadness and His promise for the future bring you peace. (Hosea 13:14)

i too would like to offer my heart felt condolences to Steve's family and close friends. I am one of those graduate students who worked with Steve to start the hot glass studio at LSU in 1980. Steve was our "Chief" (we literally called him that) when it came to hot glass. He worked tirelessly on and in that studio - always with a smile and a seemingly effortless manner. In reading all the testimonies to and memories of him this week, I was touched to see that he lived the rest of his life...

Though I didn't know him well, I always smiled whenever I encountered his amazing and beautiful work. I recall feeling like the world was balanced somehow after taking a job in his hometown of Birmingham and being greeted by his work in the B'Ham Art Museum knowing that he was in Danville giving my hometown so much life. A mutual friend never hesitated to rave about his recent exploits, his kindness, and his generosity. My heart goes out to his family, especially his sons. He has taught all...