Houston, Ohio
Age 66
William Frederick Stern was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on January 15, 1947 and passed away in Houston, Texas, on March 1, 2013, after a brief illness.
Bill received a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Harvard College, and a Master of Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design.
After beginning his career in the New York office of Edward L. Barnes, Bill moved to Houston in 1976 and founded William F. Stern & Associates, Architects in 1979. In 1999 he and long-time associate, David Bucek formed Stern and Bucek Architects. Bill served on the Board of Trustees of The Menil Collection in Houston and the Collections Committee at the Harvard Art Museum in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
A dedicated teacher, advocate and leader, Bill was adjunct associate professor at the University of Houston for nearly three decades. He has served on the board of the Rice Design Alliance and was a founding editor of its publication, Cite, for which he received the Texas Society of Architects' John G. Flowers Award for Excellence in Architectural Journalism. In addition to many contributions to Cite, Texas Architect and other publications, he was an editor of Ephemeral City: Cite Looks at Houston, published by The University of Texas Press in 2003.
William Stern is survived by his mother, Mrs. Joseph S. Stern Jr.; his brother Peter J. Stern, M.D., both of Cincinnati; his sister Peggy S. Graeter of Potomac, MD.; six nieces and nephews, and one great niece.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the William F. Stern Fund, The Menil Collection, 1515 Branard, Houston. Texas 77019. Memorial plans are pending.
Dear Sternie--I miss you and always will. Remember the summer of 1967? I was reading some letters to my parents that summer and you are mentioned in a number of them. That was a terrific summer. C
Collot Guerard
February 24, 2022
I really miss you Bill. I miss your infectious laugh and smile. You were a great teacher of the arts and I'm for ever grateful to have been in your presence.
Gary Garcia
February 24, 2021 | Houston, TX | Friend
Dear Sternie, I miss you very much. Please know that you are remembered. You will always be remembered. Collot
Collot Guerard
March 15, 2020 | Friend
Dear Bill's family members and Ms.Elizabeth Glassman
I just learned of the terrible news. I am so sorry. My heart felt condolences to you all. I feel too numb to say anything. I would really like to talk with one of the family members or with Ms.Elizabeth Glassman and I would really appreciate if a possible way can be suggested. My e-mail ID is [email protected] and phone number is (713)377-2169.
Bill and you are all in my thoughts.
Srivenkata Tammineedi
March 31, 2013 | Houston, TX
Bill and I were GSD '73 classmates and have remained friends. I'll miss his keen and inimitable intellectual style, his laughter, his warmth. I'd like to know about any memorial service(s) planned. [email protected].
Barry Wilder
March 15, 2013 | New York, NY
I'll always remember how thrilled Joe was when he saw your beautiful home in Santa Fe.We miss you Bill.
Aunt Sue
Sue DuBroff
March 09, 2013 | Albuquerque, NM
Many many years ago as a young architecture student I mentioned to Bill that my parents didn't think I should be an Architect. They said it wouldn't be lucrative. Without any hesitation Bill response with disapproval, "Let me talk to your parents!"
That was Bill, a wonderful teacher, a passionate Architect and a champion of the Arts. Above all Bill was a generous human being. I'm forever grateful. I miss him already.
Henri
March 05, 2013 | Houston, TX
Heartfelt sympathy form Joyce & Jim Salinger - We will miss seeing you on your visits to Cincinnati.
March 04, 2013
Your passion for your craft will still continue to leave an impact in those that were blessed to have known you.
Adriana DeLee
March 04, 2013 | Houston, TX