Furst, Jr., Stephen J.Stephen J. Furst, Jr of Vancouver, Wa and formerly of Allentown, Pa passed away on September 16, 2015. Born on September 30, 1942 in Allentown to the late Stephen J. and Dorothy I. (Folk) Furst, he was the husband of Joan L. (Muth) Furst for 53 years. He's a 1960 graduate of Allentown High School and attended Penn State and Harvard Business School. He was Executive Vice President & COO of Hess's Department Stores, Inc, where he worked for thirty years. He later was named President & COO of Gottchalks Department Store, Inc, and President, CEO of Sound Merchant, Inc. He was an active member in the following: Board Member of Crown American Corp, Hess, Inc., and Gottchalks, Inc. Charter Member NRF Internet Advisory Board, Member of National Retail Federation, CA State Retail Federation, Pennsylvania Retail Federation, Sertoma Club of the Lehigh Valley, The Red Cross, The Blind Association and Kiwanis Club of Allentown. Former member of Seibert EC Church. Survivors: Wife Joan L. of Allentown, children Stephen T. Furst & wife Carolyn J. Esq. of Schnecksville, Jennifer J. Furst, Todd J. Furst & wife Gretchen L. of Allentown. Grandchildren: Kaitlyn, Marina & Lila. Sisters: Barbara Bertram & husband Ray of Allentown, Patricia Spang & husband Thomas of Center Valley along with aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces & nephews. Services: Funeral arrangements are by Crown Memorial Centers, Portland, Oregon. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family.

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Published by Morning Call on Sep. 20, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Furst

Sponsored by Crown Cremation Services - Portland.

28 Entries

Dolores Ramsey

September 16, 2023

It's been 8 years since you passed away. I still think of you every day. I miss you so. I love you dearly.
Dolores

Dolores

September 14, 2022

on the anniversary of your death, I miss you so much. I think of you every day.
Love you more.

Steven Furst

June 14, 2016

I'm sorry to hear of Stephens passing. My Dad, the late Rafael Furst, of Dayton, Ohio was good friends with Steve both being involved in the retail business world. They weren't related but enjoyed both having the last name in common. And I liked knowing there was another Steve Furst out there!

Grainger McKoy

November 2, 2015

I hired Steve. He taught me a lot over the few years we worked together. Joan is awesome too!

Steve sent me this as a 2015 happy email from our Portland visit a few years earlier - sadly my last email from him.

Eric Gregg

November 2, 2015

I just learned about this and was saddened to hear the news.

I worked with Steve during the crazy times of the dot com boom when he was running NetGift down in North Carolina.

Steve has a great soul and a fantastic always on sense of humor.

I would still get occasional humorous emails from Steve and was fortunate to have dinner and a final toast with him a few years ago when visiting Portland.

We'll miss you Steve!

October 20, 2015

I miss you so much. Thank you for all the love you gave me over the years. You will always be in my heart and in my soul.
Love you more.
Dolores

Cheryl McFadden Sabet

October 15, 2015

He was such a nice man. I worked under him, when I first started at Hess's, running mail and making change cards. My mom worked under him for 6 school terms, in Customer Service.

Elaine Vasko

October 5, 2015

My heartfelt condolences to the Furst family. He was a wonderful boss & great to work for. I learned good customer service skills from him. Rest in Peace.

ginny buck (lipovsky)

October 5, 2015

So sorry for your loss our prayers are with you.

October 5, 2015

A memorial service will be held for Stephen Furst, on October 12th at 9:30, at Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Rd., Allentown, PA 18104.

Gary Frack

October 2, 2015

Joan and family,
Sorry to hear about Steve's passing. He was a great person and liked by all. He was always a good friend of mine and many times in my thoughts.

Gary Frack
AHS 60

The Reverend Doctor David Charles Smith

October 1, 2015

Dear Todd: Thanks for your message. I would be honored to assist your family in service to remember your dad's life and legacy, but your voicemail is full. Please be in touch and we'll plan a nice tribute.

Carl and June Danweber

September 28, 2015

To Joan and family, we are so sorry to hear of Stevens passing. Please accept our deepest sympathy and condolences. Our prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Stan and Lynne Hayes

September 27, 2015

Our thoughts are with the family, Steve was a wonderful neighbor and friend, he will be missed.

Patty Hertz Glascom

September 24, 2015

My deepest sympathy to Stephen's family. I shall cherish the memories of my dad, the late Roy Hertz, taking Stephen 'under his wing' at Hess's to train and support him while becoming an extraordinary retail leader. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.

Cindi Zubia

September 23, 2015

Many wonderful memories of my days at Hess's because of your guidance and encouragement. Rest in peace. The world has lost a truly fine man and heaven has gained an angel.

Andrew Young

September 22, 2015

Having Steve and his wife Joan as next door neighbors was such a special way of growing up... they were such beautiful and caring people... they had to move due to his work at Hess's, but they left beautiful memories behind... God bless Stephen, Joan, and the entire Furst family... you will forever be in my heart

Bruce Kratz

September 22, 2015

You were a great mentor and friend. Rest in peace.

Roberta and Alan Penn

September 22, 2015

We send our condolences to the Furst family. May your memories of happier times sustain you during this difficult and sad journey. Our paths crossed with Stephen during the Hess days.

Cindy Young

September 21, 2015

To the Furst family,

I am so sorry to hear of Steve's passing. I have a lot of great memories from years ago with the family. May you rest in peace. With deepest sympathy!

Cindy Young & family
Allentown, Pa

September 21, 2015

The Board of Education and the administrative team of the Easton Area School District, Easton, PA, joins together with me in sending our thoughts and prayers to the family of Stephen J. Furst, Jr.

To our friend and colleague, Steve, we send our heartfelt sympathy and our collective desire that, remembering your father with warm and loving memories, will help to sustain your sense of loss at this time.
John F. Reinhart, Superintendent of Schools

September 20, 2015

My Condolences to his family, I grew up with Stephen spent many of times at his home when we were in grade school and Jr. High. Even though I have not seen him in many years I am sorry to hear of his passing!
Pat(Morgan) Bowen

Loraine Johnston

September 20, 2015

We will miss you.

Class of 1960
Allentown High School

The Reverend Doctor David Charles Smith

September 20, 2015

My deepest sympathy and Christian love to the family at this time of loss. My late father, Harlan, was a truck driver for Hess's and often spoke fondly of Steve, who oversaw my father's work. May the peace of the Risen Christ offer comfort and hope in the days ahead.

September 20, 2015

RIP Steve

September 20, 2015

I worked for Hess Brothers in the credit office and Mr First was my boss. He was so very much respected and if I had a question, I knew his answer was always correct.RIP Joanne(Roncolato)Fidelman

Michele Novak-Taglioli

September 20, 2015

My 1st job was at Hess's Dept Store 1974 and I'll remember
Mr Furst as the most professional and well respected gentleman. This left such an impression with me that I carried it on through my other work experiences. My deepest sympathies to the entire family.

Jennifer J. Furst

September 20, 2015

I will always love you Dad and I miss you already~

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