Steven Weiss

Steven R. Weiss Artist and owner of Weinkrantz Music passed away May 11th, 2011, at 66 after a brief but valiant battle with cancer at home in Mill Valley, CA, with his devoted wife and very best friend at his bedside. Born in Washington, DC, Steven served in the Navy and came to California in 1967. He attended the San Francisco Art Institute on the GI Bill, receiving a BFA and a MFA in printmaking in 1971. While a student he worked at the art store in the SFAI, and bartended at the Old Spaghetti Factory. In the mid-70s he worked in exhibit installations at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the Asian Art Museum and the California Academy of Sciences. He later designed lighting independently for galleries and private clients. As an artist, Steven exhibited at the Newport Harbor Art Museum, Jeremy Stone Gallery and Rayko Photo Center in SF. He loved creating his artwork and generously shared his canvases and photo paintings with many friends. Since 1989, he owned Phillip Weinkrantz Music Supply Co, where he worked with teachers and musicians both locally and from all over the world, providing them with bowed string instruments and accessories. He took great pleasure in providing instruments that helped a music student blossom into a professional musician. Steven was known and will be remembered for his shyness, dry humor, gruff reserved exterior, a big heart and genuine sweetness. His love of photography, cooking, all animals but especially cats, a good football game, the smell of the air and the landscape of Mill Valley brought pleasure to his life, as did memories of travel in Africa. His wife of 36 years Marcia, mother-in-law Kate Loeb, brother-in-law Steven Loeb, and many loving cousins and wonderful supportive friends survive Steven. A memorial service will be at a future date. Contributions in his memory can be made to Hospice By The Bay, 17 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Larkspur, CA 94939.