Stephen Kauffman

1935 - 2025

Stephen Roger Kauffman, born July 16, 1935, at Sutter Hospital in Sacramento, died December 11, 2025, in his home in Fair Oaks, California.

Son of Mark and Irma Kauffman and the youngest of four brothers, Stephen grew up in Land Park and attended McClatchy High School. Stephen served two years in the Navy and graduated from UC Berkeley. He then attended Boalt Hall and graduated from law school. He served in the Sacramento County District Attorney's office and later had a private practice for many years. While working, he enjoyed playing competitive tennis. In retirement, he became a passionate golfer. He joined Northridge Country Club in Fair Oaks, where he was a member until his death, and Tamarisk Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA. While living part time in Rancho Mirage, he was the amateur winner of both the Bob Hope and the Dinah Shore invitational golf tournaments. A music lover, Stephen sang in the University of California Glee Club and was a member of the senior octet. While attending Berkeley, he performed as a professional with his quartet, The C-Notes, including opening for Cab Calloway in San Francisco. The quartet recorded the station break "Sounds of the City" for KSFO, which can still be heard today. In retirement, Stephen began acting. Over 30 years, until shortly before his death, he performed in community theater throughout the Sacramento area and the Coachella Valley. He was nominated for and received multiple awards for his performances, including the Elly awards for Best Actor in a Comedy and Best Actor in a Drama. He loved watching sports, sports betting, playing bridge, and making bad puns.

A proud father and grandfather, Stephen is survived by his wife, Janelle; his daughters from his first marriage, Deborah Zajac and Jill Davis and her husband Larry; his stepdaughter Julia Wellner and her husband Rob; his stepson Justin Smith-Ruiu and his wife Adina; by five grandchildren, Matthew Zajac and his wife Isabelle, Sarah Zajac, Hannah Davis, Joshua Davis, and Augustus Wellner; and a large extended family, including his dog, Ruby.

A gathering in his memory will be held at a later date.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Sutter Street Theater in Folsom, CA, (717 Sutter Street, Folsom, CA 95630, or https://sutterstreettheatre.com/) or the ACLU.