John Ames Steffian

1933 - 2022

John Ames Steffian
August 2, 2022
Waterford, Connecticut - John Ames Steffian (1933-2022), renowned American architect, educator, mentor & father, died Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Born in Cambridge, MA, John was the eldest son of Edwin T. Steffian & Lovina F. Smith, brother of Peter Steffian. He went to the Browne & Nichols Sch., Cambridge MA., Dublin School, Dublin NH & earned a B.Arch. from the Univ. of Pennsylvania,1957. He earned a M. Arch. in Urban Design from Harvard Grad. Sch. of Design and joined the faculty of the MIT Sch. of Arch. John evolved into a visionary leader, Chairman & Dean. He transformed architecture programs at the Univ. of Miami & the Univ. of Maryland into independent schools. In private practice, he founded the award winning firm, Aragon Associated Architects. In 1990 he served as President Pro-Tem of the Boston Architectural Center & then Dean at the Rhode Island School Design. Alongside his wife, Sarah, John was dedicated to community integrity working with New London Landmarks & New London Maritime Society Museum. Together, they fought for the rights of homeowners against eminent domain, culminating in the supreme court lawsuit Kelo v. City of New London. A deeply thoughtful and convivial leader, John encouraged collegiality in all settings. He leaves a powerful legacy among generations of students and colleagues imbued with his humble and respectful vision of an architecture & urbanism. John was preceded in death by his wife Sarah (1931-2017) He is survived by his son, John Ames, Jr. of Waterford, CT, daughter Emily Steffian of Providence, RI. & grandchildren Charlotte & Sarah Steffian, Moses Kamil, & Sister-in-Law, Beth Steffian of Brunswick Maine.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following funds: The University of Miami John Ames Steffian Scholarship Fund The John and Sarah Steffian Fellowship Fund at the University of Maryland, and The John and Sarah Steffian Fund at the Dublin School.