Dr. Stephen Feinstein
Dr. Stephen Feinstein
Obituary
Guest Book
Stephen Feinstein Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
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Roman Kanivetsky
February 28, 2019
We remember Steve from his first visit to our apartment in Leningrad in 1974. It was first American we met and we want to hear American accent and learn American English as we were thinking to emigrate from Soviet Union. Steve was the first American who met us at the airport in Minneapolis on cold, but sunny day with a lot of snow on January 7, 1975. He was passionate in helping Russian Jews to get out of USSR. After our arrival we continue our friendship by having family dinners at his and our house. He helped us to adjust to new life in many ways, such as advicing us about buying the house, building book shelfs, etc. To reciprocate we help him to paint his house. Then we visited each others. When I was on sabbatical in Finland he visited us 1982. While he was on sabbatical in Israel we visited him and his family in 1985. We also played tennis for many years. While he travelled with students to USSR he always visited my dad in Tallinn and was willing to bring some diabetic supplies for my dad. We fondly remember our conversation about Russia-USA relationship. He always had a genuine desire to improve life of ordinary people in USSR, helped refusnics to get out of Russia and helped Russian Jews to ecscape to freedom. He will be always in our memory - a kind, intellegent human being - with the great sense of humor and love of life.
Missy Mound
May 12, 2008
I was an education and social studies major at UW-RF in the 90s. Unfortunately for me, Dr. Feinstein's classes never fit my schedule. However, many of my friends still respect and warmly regard him and speak of the classes he taught.
I learned of his passing while attending the Deadly Medicine exhibit at the Science Museum. His absence is a loss to the community as well as his family.
My thoughts are with everyone whose life he touched.
Patti Frisch
March 31, 2008
Dear Susan,
I have been out of town this winter and was so shocked to just learn of Stephen's death. I want to extend my deepest sympathy to you and your family. In reading these guest book praises from all over the world, I hope that you will find peace in your memories and knowing what a difference he made to so many.
Francis Yellow
March 30, 2008
To Stephen's family
My prayers will be with you throughout your mourning. I'm saddened to hear (belatedly) of Stephen's sudden death.
He was a great supporter of Native American Art and our story of the American Holocaust.
I participated in two holocaust exhibits at Stephen's invitation and will always remember his friendliness and steady support.
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Karl Gandt
March 27, 2008
From 30 years ago as a student, I remember Steve for his talent, obvious dedication and wonderful sense of humor. About four years ago, I contacted him when the daughter of a friend, in her first year as a high school social studies teacher, was struggling to effectively present the Holocaust to her students. Steve responded with a list of resources (himself included) of which she could avail herself. He was a genuinely good person.
Gary Lehr
March 13, 2008
Sue,
Tanya and I were out of town when all of this happened and were shocked and saddened to learn only this morningof this tragedy. Stephen was a great man and loved by all and will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family in your grief.
Michael Davis
March 10, 2008
Steve was a true scholar with a wonderful way to make his speeches come to life. His sense of humor and caring toward others was unmatched.
My thoughts are with you,
Mike
Michael McLaren
March 9, 2008
The last time I spoke to Dr. Steve was, sadly, at the funeral of fellow UWRF History Department chair, Dr. Ed Peterson. Steve and I greeted each other with grim faces, words of sadness, offered each other our thoughts on Ed, and then sat down. Our words were brief, but Steve's few were thoughtful and medicinal. Exactly what I needed. Steve could make a point and impression with the fewest words, or the deepest glance, and I'll never forget that. I took every class Steve offered at UWRF, from my first to my last year mostly because I simply adored him as a teacher; I forgot that I was taking the class for me and not for him -- I hated the thought of letting him down. He made me love history, love learning and love questioning what I thought I understood more deeply than anyone before or since. The world is going to be a whole lot less interesting without Dr. Steve in it.
Frank Chalk
March 8, 2008
Sue, Jean and I have the most wonderful memories of Steve as a friend and a colleague. He had the most graceful touch of any institution builder I have ever met, accomplishing much through the pure elegance of his ideas and dreams. We are so saddened by Steve's passing; we will always miss him and remember him. May you and your family be spared further suffering.
Steve Wheeler
March 8, 2008
I was lucky enough to take Steve’s History of the Holocaust and Imperialism classes as a grad student at UWRF in the mid-90s. His classes have deeply influenced the way I interpret history and the way I teach my high school students. I just saw him two weeks ago at a workshop he hosted about the Holocaust and Rwandan genocide through the U of M’s Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. I was reminded how much I enjoyed and learned from him and kept thinking how much I wanted to take another one of Steve Feinstein’s classes. My thoughts are with his family as well as his colleagues and friends at both UWRF and the U of M.
Alicia Smith
March 8, 2008
I worked for Dr. Feinstein for many years at the Center for Holocaust & Genocide Center. I can truly say that those were the best years of my life because of his humor and outlook on life (despite the grim topics he encountered). I will always keep a piece of him in my heart...he was the greatest mentor a young person could ever have. Not being from Minnesota originally, Sue and Steve were my parents away from home, and I will always love them for that.
Marshall Toman
March 8, 2008
Steve was so very influential in my teaching and outlook. I tried to attend every public lecture he gave, from information on Russia or the Middle East in the 1990s when I was his colleague in the UWRF English Department to, most recently, his forum on Darfur in the fall of 2007 at the U of M. I came back early one January from a trip to Prague to be sure to attend a gallery opening on art inspired by the Holocaust and other genocides that he had put together. I use slides of paintings by Fritz Hirschberger in my classes every year; these I owe to Steve. I once queried him on behalf of a UWRF undergraduate; his lengthy, detailed reply, with citations, was as careful as if the president had asked for his insight. And the reply probably took him just a few minutes. He carried a library in his head and had the fastest typewriter (later, keyboard) at UWRF. It is ironic that an announcement mentioned that in his last hours he was having trouble finding words. That certainly must have been the only time in his life. Joking, friendly, helpful, tremendously well informed, doing extrremely important work extremely well, he should have had another 30 years of teaching us all. MT, UWRF, currently teaching in Scotland
CJ McCormick
March 7, 2008
In the mid 1990's I had a class on the Holocaust, taught by Dr. Feinstein, at the University of St. Thomas. It was the most important and compelling class I had in all of my college career. He was brilliant. I still have the notes, papers and handouts from that class, because it stuck with me. I also had the opportunity to see Mr. Oertelt in my class, when he visited to tell us about his experiences. This is a tremendous loss, and my condolences go to Dr. Feinstein's family and friends.
Dennis Van Wey
March 7, 2008
Susan and Family--
I am saddened to hear of Dr.
Feinstein's passing - way TOO
young. His teaching and influence
has touched people from around the
world. I took a couple of his classes
during the early Cederberg-Wyman-
Feinstein-George Field era. He was
an excellent lecturer and educator.
He will be missed in many areas, and
particularly in higher education. My
sincere condolences to you and the
family.
--Dennis R. Van Wey (Class of 74)
Barb and Neal Frank
March 7, 2008
Sue,
Our hearts go out to you and your children and grandchildren on the loss of your beloved Steve. It was truly a shock to hear that he died doing what he did best. He was not only a treasure to you all, but to the entire community.
Fondly,
Barb and Neal Frank
Bettina Gould
March 7, 2008
Sue- I am so sorry to lean of Steve's passing. My thoughts are with you.
Roman Kanivetsky
March 6, 2008
Dear Susan,
It is shoking to us that there is no Steve. You know that we deeply appreciate your's and Steve's friendship, your kindness and humanity. We mourn your's and our's loss. You, Jeromy and Rebecca are in our prayers. We love you. Our sympathy.
Svetlana, Roman, Lisa
Chris Wing
March 6, 2008
Dear Susan: I was so sorry to hear of Steven's sudden passing. I did not have the pleasure of knowing him, but I know what he meant to you. I also had the unforgettable experience of seeing the Holocaust Center display on campus. I am so very sorry for your loss. Best Always, Chris Wing
Barbara Corey
March 6, 2008
Susan and Family:
I am stunned to learn of Steve's death. He shall be remembered for so many accomplishments and for his excetionally fine personality. To a young college student who took every single course he taught, he exemplified the very best in scholarship and the intellectual tradition. As our friendship endured throughout the years, I realized even more what a good and extraordinary individual Steve was. Please accept my sincere condolences, Barbara Corey
Larry & Dana Pepper
March 6, 2008
Susan, Rebecca, Avi and Jeremy,
Our hearts reach out to you. Steve was an amazing person, smart and funny, rich and colorful. There is a gaping hole where he was. Dana & I remember vividly the eulogy that he gave for Marcia. I always loved doing projects with him. We will all miss him. We wish you love and strength.
Our love to you all,
Larry Pepper & Dana Yugend-Pepper
Erin Carlstrom
March 6, 2008
Professor Feinstein was an exceptional man who inspired thousands of students to delve deeper into the study of genocide: one of the greatest threats to humanity to date. Because of Dr. Feinstein, I had the great honor of meeting survivors of the Holocaust - an experience that will not be possible to future generations. Dr. Feinstein was never a man to mince words, and the earnest and honest way in which he portrayed the Holocaust in the classes I took with him will be remembered by myself and countless other students. I am eternally grateful to Dr. Feinstein for developing my passion for human rights, and I find comfort in the fact that the lessons he taught to so many will live on through the work of the people that he inspired.
Paul & Gloria Schwartz
March 6, 2008
It was a shock to learn of Steve's passing. We remember the warm times spent with the family so long ago, Steven's dedicated involvement with Soviet Jewry, and his great contribution to the community.
Our thoughts are with the Feinstein family at this time.
Fania Hilelson Jivotovsky
March 6, 2008
Throughout a lifetime you meet many different people, some pass by you without leaving a trace, others leave an indelible mark forever. Stephen Feinsten was just such a person you could never forget. He had an amazing ability to remember things, a true historian, who made history himself ...Russian History, the Holocaust, Arts, and other fields he was engaged in. His huge collection of antique toy trains that he could set in motion at any time symbolized Stephen's ability to move things to a better stage and transcend beyond the relentless passage of times. He will forever be remembered for his sense of humor, love of laughter, for his vision and just as a friend. Farewell Stephen, thanks for the memories and rest assured, you will never be forgotten.
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126 E Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404
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