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Stephen E. Weil

Stephen Weil Obituary

WEIL, STEPHEN E.

Steve Weil, an internationally recognized leader and mentor in the field of museum management, died on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 at the Washington Home Hospice. He is survived by his wife, Wendy Luke; and by children, Rachel Weil of Ithaca, NY, David Weil of Providence, RI and Michael Weil of Brooklyn, NY. Steve also leaves four grandchildren, Ariel, Yoni, Tamar and Benjamin. A Memorial Service will be scheduled in September. Contributions may be made in Steve's name to one of the following, Washington Home Hospice, Inpatient Unit, 3720 Upton Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016; American Association of Museums, 1575 Eye Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005; or Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, 100 N. Charles Street, Suite 440, Baltimore, MD 21201.

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Published by The Washington Post from Aug. 11 to Aug. 12, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Weil

20 Entries

Yani Herreman

August 20, 2005

I was very sad to learn of Steve´s passing away. I am certain that he has been one of the most lucid thinkers in the museum realm in these

past years. His wit, intelligence and wisdom were a rare combination of

elegance and savoir-faire.

His books will remain as a testimony of his knowledge, experience and

sensibility.

Lynne Kurylo

August 19, 2005

While I only knew Stephen Weil through hearing him speak and reading his work, I am convinced he was one of the few important thinkers in our field. He understood and loved museums while challenging them to change. He was a leader in that he inspired others with his passion, commitment, insight, energy, accessibility and willingness to share his experience and knowledge. The museum field is better for his contribution and we will feel his loss. My condolences to his family.

Therese Angelo

August 18, 2005

Dear Wendy,

Museums Aotearoa, the Museums of New Zealand, was very sad to learn of Stephen's passing, and we'd like to convey our condolences to you and the family, from our our part of the muesum world. Stephen was a passionate voice and insight and his visit to New Zealand ten years ago is remembered with affection. Stephen chronicled the maturing of the international museum community and we feel closely connected with him and the common commitment he expressed so well. We want to acknowledge his very significant contribution to this field, through his thoughts, writings and presentations. His timely contributions on museum performance measurement issues are a particularly lasting legacy in the New Zealand context. Stephen was eloquent, knowledgeable, personable and entertaining, drawing on his varied background to make an unparalled contribution to the sector.

With the regards of the Chair and Board of Museums Aotearoa (successor organisation to Museum Directors Federation of New Zealand)

kees plaisier

August 18, 2005

once I wrote a poem about stephen. His butterfly and his sense of humour, his presence and his professionalism.

He was, for an american, modestly present and really human.

Félix Barboza-Retaba

August 18, 2005

Dear Wendy

I met Mr. Weil in Lubbock, Texas in 1993. It was great to receive a class with him. My good friend Gary Edson invited him to share with us (Texas Tech University´s Museum Science students)his ideas and knowledge. I must say that Steve Weil is a permanent light in my profession and job. A best way to remember him is to continue reading his articles and books.

From here, Costa Rica, receive my regards.

sincerely Félix Barboza-Retana

Clara Camacho

August 18, 2005

Dear Wendy

My condolence.

I met Stephen Weil in Lisbon (Portugal) in 2001, on the occasion of a conference on Museums and Communities promoted by the Portuguese Museums Network. I vividly remember his humour, his polemic way of talking about museum matters and the capacity to think openly about the world.

Clara Camacho

Portuguese Museums Network, Coordinator

Karen Cooper

August 17, 2005

I feel blessed to have known Stephen while working at the Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies. He always had time for me if I had a question. His sense of humor was fun. His brilliance and interesting way of thinking fresh thoughts has been so important to the museum world. He is sorely missed.

Sara Wolf

August 17, 2005

I met Stephen at the very beginning of my museum career working at the Hirshhorn Museum fresh out of college. Concerned that I might not be making the best decision about studying to become a museum conservator, I asked Stephen for his advice. He really didn't give me any advice on what I should do, but the passion in his voice as he spoke to me of his own experience left me with no doubts that I was headed in the right direction. Our paths never crossed again, and although I can't remember a word of what he said, I'll never forget the depth of feeling and commitment he shared with me and the subtle way he helped me understand what I was meant to do.

Sara Wolf

Director

Northeast Museum Services Center

National Park Service

Martin Segger

August 17, 2005

Dear Wendy,

At the University of Victoria, Cultural Resource Management Program, we were deeply saddened to hear that we had lost Steve. He has been a friend, mentor, teacher, thinker, and inspirational advocate. His writing and teaching have left a profound mark on the museological landscape of Canada, and the world, particularly as a long-time visiting lecturer to the international cross section of students here at UVic. For many of us it will be hard to believe he is not there for the occassional consultation and challenging observation. He has left us all a profound legacy of ideas which, like those of many forward thinkers, will continue to mark the progress of museums in the future.

Sincerely,

Martin Segger

Professor and Director

(President, Commonwealth Association of Museums.)

Kirstin Clausen

August 16, 2005

Dear family and friends of Stephen Weil. When I reflect on the people who helped me define the type of museum professional I wanted to be, I count Steve Weil as one of the people who truly inspired and always had words of wisdom which I could take to heart. His mantra was relevance and his critical thinking on subjects that mattered to our collected efforts will be greatly missed. The BC Museum community was very fortunate as Stephen Weil was a familiar face within our community. I know I am among many who are better for having known him. He will be greatly missed and I will think of him when I revisit my many notes and his writings. God Speed.

carol mayer

August 16, 2005

Dear Wendy,

So sad to hear about Stephen. Over the years I was fortunate to spend time with him and never ceased to be amazed at his knowledge and willingness to share it. I remember our wonderful conversation during dinner at your apartment during my time at the Smithsonian a couple of years ago. I also remember my morning 'chats' with Stephen. I will miss him as will countless others.

Take care of yourself

Carol (Mayer)

(University of British Columbia)

J. Mark Schuster

August 16, 2005

Dear Wendy,

Steve affected so many careers in so many ways. For me, it was both through his writings, which I often assigned to students and recommended to others, and through our membership on the Advisory Board of the Research Center for Arts and Culture at Columbia University; the Board members would all look forward to our yearly meetings in New York hoping that Steve would be there offering his wisdom and keeping us from taking ourselves too seriously. We have lost a dear colleague and friend, and we already miss him.

J. Mark Schuster

Professor of Urban Cultural Policy

Department of Urban Studies and Planning

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cathy Blackbourn

August 16, 2005

Stephen Weil"s thought on museums and the publics they serve (should serve) as expressed in his teaching, presentations and his extensive writing has inspired my work and my own teaching (and learning). It will continue to do so although his absence will be keenly felt.

Thank you to his family for making it possible for him to be so generous with his profession. I hope it is a comfort to you that his work and his legacy lives on in the hundreds, perhaps thousands, he has inspired.

Viv Golding

August 16, 2005

Dear Wendy and family,

The MA students and I have such warm memories of both you and Steve when you came to Leicester a while back. Steve had a great sense of fun and wonderful creative ways of getting us all to really think in depth and see the complexity of our taken for granted ideas. We will miss him.

Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. Please keep in touch with us.

Dale Marshall

August 16, 2005

Dear Wendy,

All of us at Wheaton College were blessed to know Stephen and you. You both shared your marvelous talents in so many ways with the alums, faculty, students, and staff. Stephen gave memorable talks and hosted wonderful visits to support the arts initiatives at the college during my term as president. I am eternally grateful for all of that and for the opportunity to know both of you as inspiring individuals and as an inspiring couple committed to quality work and friendship in many different realms. May the good memories of a life so well lived give you comfort now. Dale Rogers Marshall

Alison Nordström

August 15, 2005

Dear Wendy,

I received my first Museum training from Steve in his Smithsonian course in 1980. In the years that followed, he always took my calls, and always offered wisdom and humor in advice on how to deal with everything from ethics to education.

He spoke at every institution I've worked for from the Vermont Museum and Gallery Association to the New Hampshire Humanities Council and a memorable gathering of Oracle. He gave the inaugural lecture at the opening of the Southeast Museum of Photography and the last time we spoke he agreed to come up to Rochester this year to speak to my graduate students.

He mentored so many. In this way he is still with us and active in his beloved field.

I send big hugs to you

Alison Nordström, PhD

Curator of Photographs

George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film

and

USA Program Director, Ryerson University Graduate Program in Photographic Preservation and Collections Management

Deborah de Arechaga

August 15, 2005

My condolences to the family.

Carol Popino

August 14, 2005

Dear Wendy and family,

Jim and I were so saddened by the news that we have all lost Steve.What a magnificent man and friend to all of us.Steve was a Prince among men; a loyal friend, tender soul, the sharpest wit, an intellectual who proded gently and a leader in the appreciation of good style,cuisine and art. The happiness he found with you, Wendy,is a light that will never be extinquished. Please accept our most sincere and heartfelt sympathy on the loss of dear Steve.

With love,

Carol and Jim Popino

Mary Holahan

August 13, 2005

I looked forward to friendly conversations with Steve at museum conferences, and to hearing his learned and entertaining talks. I will always remember him with affection and respect.

Mary Holahan, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions

Delaware Art Museum

Michele Clayborne

August 10, 2005

Wendy and the entire Weil Family,

Please accept my most sincere condolence at Stephen's passing. In the short meetings that we had I saw such tremendous love and concern for your husband and father. It was truly my honor to meet you and be able to help you at the very special time.

Fondest Regards,

Michele

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