Stephen Frederick Savageau

1945 - 2022

Savageau, Stephen Frederick
December 1, 1945 - November 27, 2022

Our beloved Stephen Savageau 'sprouted new wings' as he passed away on November 27th, 2022. The grandson of Jacob and Francis Savageau, a Denver pioneer family, Stephen cleaved to his family traditions and responsibilities with conviction and grace. A merchant at heart, a polymath at play, Stephen was large in character, Dickensian, and bright. He enthusiastically embraced picture art at a young age. Trading baseball cards and collecting postage stamps, he eventually gravitated into book illustrations and prints. Thus, Stephen became one of Colorado's premier purveyors of fine art and frames. Savageau Gallery flourished on Colfax and York from 1972-2005, and its adjunct in the Golden Triangle through 2010. With a 30-plus year history as a fine art salon, the 'Saturday Afternoon Club' entertained scores of people and anchored a core group of friends. This adherence, a weekly testimony of Stephen's goodwill, brought all people together through love of art and good company. His achievements are many, but mostly hidden and tender. He was an indisputable Renaissance man.

Being a voracious reader, he haunted stacks; and thus, began his lifelong relationship with the Denver Public Library. Stephen established deep roots within the Western History Department, the Friends Foundation, and DPL's annual "Rare and Not So Rare Book and Art Auction". His efforts were rewarded with an appointment to the board of the Denver Public Library Commission from 1998-2002. Hence, he was instrumental in the creation of DPL's annual employee award of distinction, The Eleanor Gehres Award, in 1999. Twice awarded a certificate as a "Champion of Intellectual Freedom" by the ALA, Stephen personified the title with relish.

Stephen was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Lepere Savageau and Mary Louise (Worland) Savageau. This abiding Catholic union informed Stephen during his journey with "The Family of Man". He studied Latin at Regis University in Denver and theater at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. It was there where he demonstrated brilliance in his acclaimed performance of Sir Thomas Moore in "A Man for all Seasons" in 1964 (see the review in the Kansas City Star). Also preceding him in death is his dear brother Anthony Savageau in 2022 and Tony's wife, Parry, in 2020. Sometimes, life dishes up more than we can bear, and the cascade of our losses is overwhelming. We profoundly grieve our dear friend, as we are all survivors. Family survivors include: Stephen's wife of 21 years, Rebecca (Lee) Savageau and her extended family, two brothers and two sisters-in-law David (Karyl) Savageau and Paul (Lynn) Savageau, and their children and grandchildren.

Stephen's forthright generosity extended to the vulnerable and able alike reached all four corners of Metro Denver through charitable events and confabs, most notably with the Foothills Art Center in Golden and the Kirkland Museum in Denver. His largess spilled into Colorado Springs for decades in activity with the Hayden Hays Gallery and the Colorado Springs Fine Art Center. Finally reaching Southern Colorado, where, for over a decade he dwelt in retirement with his wife Reba, he engaged himself with designing and manufacturing exquisite greeting cards and corresponding with loved ones on a regular basis, all while maintaining an active role in support of the arts and individual artists. In lieu of flowers, we ask you to honor Stephen in giving to the charity of your choice, the Denver Public Library, or perhaps, by digging deeper into your pocket, to the lovely bell-ringers of the Salvation Army this holiday season. "God Bless Us Everyone". Salute

Photo credit: Bob Ragland 2014