Stephen Rolfe Powell

I met Steve when he arrived at Centre in the 80's. We played volleyball together for many fun filled years. I really got to know him via our time together helping him plan and implement his glass studio on top of the Norton Center for the Arts building. I will always treasure the time. Remarkable man in a world that will be much less remarkable without him.

Steve Chief was an important person that I had the chance to study with in the MFA program at LSU.
To his wife and two sons my sincere condolences and to his extensive family, collègues and friends.
Steve had a brilliant career but what really I will always remember was his humanity, his ability to include everyone and his sense of humour
Since he has passed away to another dimension, I have been thinking of the gift we had to share space and time together building the world.

Our deepest condolences to his family. We are a collector and very proud to own one of Stephen's masterpieces. We were also an acquaintance through the glass world and we feel a major loss on his passing.
Robert and Alice Matanky

I met Stephen Powell thru Tom and Ginny Marsh, ceramic professors who taught at the University of Louisville. I was introduced to firing wood kilns when Stephen invited the U of L ceramics students to come fire with Centre College. I last saw Stephen at the home of Christy Brown during a Festival of Faith event.

I extend my sympathy to the family.

May God continue to watch over you and yours.

Peace and love always,

Elmer Lucille Allen

Steve was a colleague of my sister Dr. Georgeann Murphy when they taught together at Centre College and I was blessed to of met him a few times. He always showed kindness and joy ! His light and his spirit shall continue to always glow in the gifts of his amazing beautiful glass art he has left this world. His talent as a glass blower and art teacher was such an amazing gift to all and the world. My heart goes out to his family with healing prayers. R.I.P. Steve
Jane Lupi

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your loved one. May reflecting on all the good times you've shared together help ease the pain that you feel. May the God of all comfort strengthen you during this time of sadness and His promise for the future bring you peace. (Hosea 13:14)

i too would like to offer my heart felt condolences to Steve's family and close friends. I am one of those graduate students who worked with Steve to start the hot glass studio at LSU in 1980. Steve was our "Chief" (we literally called him that) when it came to hot glass. He worked tirelessly on and in that studio - always with a smile and a seemingly effortless manner. In reading all the testimonies to and memories of him this week, I was touched to see that he lived the rest of his life with the same open spirit and enthusiasm we were so privileged to share all those years ago. It saddens me that I didn't make more of an effort to stay in touch, but fills my heart with joy to know that he marked so many people's lives in such profound ways. His legacy lives on in all of us. Rest in peace our dear Chief.

Though I didn't know him well, I always smiled whenever I encountered his amazing and beautiful work. I recall feeling like the world was balanced somehow after taking a job in his hometown of Birmingham and being greeted by his work in the B'Ham Art Museum knowing that he was in Danville giving my hometown so much life. A mutual friend never hesitated to rave about his recent exploits, his kindness, and his generosity. My heart goes out to his family, especially his sons. He has taught all of us Kentucky artists how to move in the world without losing your anchor and how to make sure that anchor is made of love. May we always call his name.

I am so sorry for your loss. May the god of comfort be with you during this difficult time.(Ps.34:15).

Shelley, I am at a loss for words. There's no proper way to say how sorry I am that you have lost your soul mate. You can find strength and comfort in this trying time. I think about you often and the fun we had as young girls in high school.

Sending Our deepest sympathy out to Stephens family and his Centre College family. We are truly saddened to receive the news of his passing. My husband was one of those LSU ceramic graduate students, that shared space in the late 70s, early 80s. We all had some great party times together, and still reminisce about the good and bad. Hugs out to that wonderful group of people, and their master keeper, Joe, as well. Stephen was a talented, kind and thoughtful soul.
Peace, Mark and Terry Huff

As Lexington residents for almost 20 years we were privileged to have met Stephen and enjoyed his fabulous glasswork. Our sincere sympathy to his family . Jack and Paula Gron

I was privileged to have met Stephen when his sister, Pam Powell, arranged a trip to Kentucky in 2017. Stephen demonstrated his amazing glass blowing, and then hosted us for a wonderful luncheon at his home. I saw his work when I visited the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Birmingham Museum of Art, and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. He was a phenomenal artist and a wonderful, kind, and generous person. My sincere condolences to Stephen's family.

Steve was not only an exceptionally talented artist, he was also an excellent tennis player and a genuinely a wonderful person. My prayers are with his family.

I have known Steve since our days as fellow graduate students in ceramics at LSU. It was during this time that Steve became interested in blowing glass. The rest is history.... and what a history maker he was in this field. He was also a good friend, an impeccable teacher, and a loving husband and father. To Shelly and his sons I offer my most heartfelt condolences. He will be missed.

I was partnered w Steve at LSU when we (core group of 10-12 students) built the first and only hot glass shop in the art department there. That was the very beginning of a long career in the art of glassblowing for both Steve and myself. Iam stunned and saddened by the sudden passing of Stephen. My heartfelt sympathies go to his wife Shelly and his two boys. There will be no replacing SRP. Our loss is great and our sorrow profound