Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Steven Provence Obituary
Steven Douglas Provence, holographic pioneer, died Friday, July 11, 2008, at age 54 of pancreatic cancer in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
He was born February 13, 1954, in Covington, Kentucky, a son of Robert N. Provence and the late Rachel Tuckwiller Provence.
He grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and graduated from the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill in 1975, with a degree in journalism.
As early as the 1960s, he was interested in the emerging technology of three-dimen-sional imagery known as holography. In 1975, he studied at the New York School of Holography, and in 1976 at Multiplex/School of Holography in San Francisco.
In the early 1980s Steve worked at Atari in Mountain View, California, to develop holograms for its early home video games. He founded Steve Provence Holography in 1983 in Boulder Creek, Cali-fornia, and produced the embossed holograms popular in advertising and security applications, and then deve-loped large-format holograms, which were embossed into rolls of foil and are found today in wrapping paper. Steve was described as "one of the wildest of the wild men in holography ever."
In 1992, he moved to Char-lottesville, where he founded Blue Ridge Holographics. Holograms he created in the late 1970s and 1980s, inclu-ding "Gears for Betty and all Faithful Machines," are part of the MIT Museum collection.
In 2004, he produced a docu-mentary on ramps festivals in the Appalachians called "King of Stink."
Steve loved good food, cooking, fishing, and music from the Canterbury scene of jazz/rock. He was a profess-ional drummer in high school. Some of his meals were legen-dary, and ranged from snap-ping turtle to snails to jamon he had cured.
Steve is survived by his father, Robert N. Provence of Matthews, North Carolina; his daughter, Sydney Rachel Provence; and son, Ross Nathaniel Provence, both of Charlottesville; his brother, Robert P. Provence of Powhat-an; his sister, Linda Ferguson, of Savannah, Georgia; and Lisa Gibbs Provence, the mother of his children, of Charlottesville.
Friends are invited to remem-ber Steve at 11 a.m. Sunday, July 13, 2008, at Beaver Creek Reservoir in Crozet.
This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.
Memories and Condolences
for Steven Provence
Jeffrey Murray
July 7, 2020
He was unforgettable.
Simon Gardner
July 9, 2009
Still miss you Steve, there was so much I wanted to show you.
Craig Luce
July 8, 2009
Steve Provence may be the smartest man I've met, and (though he declined to write further than emails) one of the best writers I've ever read.
A year has come and gone and I still miss him daily-- especially in thinking of his twisted and ever-present humor. I'm certain he is widely remembered as I hold his hologram in trust for his children.
Carl Dolmetsch
March 17, 2009
Although I only knew him for a short time, I will always consider the time we shared among my truly special treasures.
How you can show support
Jeffrey Murray
February 21, 2009
Steve was the finest of holographers, a perfectionist who could achieve it, a flabbergasting amazing human being, and honest and verbal to the point it would hurt. An excellent man! We accomplished, in holography, what even he claimed was impossible. He can never be forgotten.
Jason Sapan
November 6, 2008
I met Steve in '75 and we became close friends. His work was always of the highest quality. He always pushed the boundaries to the limits in everything he did. My favorite memory was when Steve, Lisa, and I were out to dinner in a little place in the hills where he lived in California and he so ticked off the chef about the slow service that he literally chased the three of us out while brandishing his large chef's knife at us. The chef/owner was so enraged that he didn't ask us to pay for the many bottles of wine or appetizers. Ironically, in the rush out the door I had left something on the table and Steve actually went back in and retrieved it. I can't remember laughing as hard or feeling in so much danger at any dinner. I'll miss you Steve!
Craig Luce
July 25, 2008
My condolences to the Provence family and all of Steve's friends. Steve *is one of my favorite humans and closest friends since '92.
"StevO-- we love you, Bro."
PAUL (AND-IN SPIRIT, LYN) BRIER
July 17, 2008
WHAT TIMES WE HAD! WHAT FOOD WE ATE! WHAT LIBATIONS WE ENJOYED! I HOPE THAT I (AND MY LATE WIFE) CAN DO IT ALL AGAIN ON OUR NEXT LANDING.
LOVE YOU, MAN
Donna Sillan
July 16, 2008
Steve was a wild and crazy guy who was full of life and touched me in many ways, particularly by his culinary extravanganzas. His imagination was beyond belief and he always ventured into new realms.
Now he is soaring outside of his body, as his spirit lives on. Peace be with him.
Simon Gardner
July 15, 2008
I have the honour of counting Steve Provence
as a good friend during my time living in Charlottesville, I also had the pleasure of working with him. He turned me onto Holography and in doing so changed my life. Because of Steve & the guys (Nelson & Fernando) at Blue Ridge Holographics I have been a holographic designer for 7 years.
Steve you are already missed greatly.
Your Light Burned Very Very Bright!
My condolences and prayers go out to his family.
Holly Edwards Mardis
July 15, 2008
Heartfelt wishes to his family, and hope for his children.
Jay Province
July 14, 2008
Steve and his family were our good friends. Fate brought us both to Charlottesville in the same year with same name. There was only an 'i' and an 'e's' difference between us. We were often guests at their home and we were always well met at gatherings and parties. Steve was the definition of irascible and the embodiment of a free-wheeling age. He developed interests quickly and whole-heartedly and pursued them aggressively and held onto them longer than persons with fainter hearts - sometimes to the detriment but often to the betterment of himself and those around him. Peace to him and his family.
Mary Beth Fields
July 14, 2008
So now Steve has joined Richard Nagle and Bill Hines of the original Skatekickers at the real "Outer Banks."
Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results
Make a Donation
in Steven Provence's name
Memorial Events
for Steven Provence
People and places connected with Steven
VA, Virginia
Daily Progress
Recent Obituaries
How to support Steven's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Steven Provence's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
Sponsored