Stephen R. Schroeder, 80, died suddenly on October 15, 2017, while cruising the Mississippi River. He was born on October 28, 1936, in Leipsic, Ohio, the son of Leo and Gertrude (Scheckelhoff) Schroeder. He received his BA in Philosophy from the Pontifical College Josephinum, his MA in Psychology from the University of Toledo, and his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. He married Carolyn Stineman on December 26, 1963, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He served his country in the United States Army National Guard from 1959-1965.
Steve was a professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (1968-1985), the Director of the Nisonger Center at the University of Ohio (1985-1990), and the Director of the Life Span Institute at the University of Kansas from 1990 until he retired in 2002. After retirement, he served from 2002-2004 as the Director of The Prince Salmon Research Center for Disabilities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Science and compassion were interlocked inextricably in Steve’s research and advocacy to help people with different abilities. As a scientist, one of his many contributions was to develop assessment and treatment procedures for eliminating life-threatening self-injurious behaviors of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He was also deeply concerned about the use of psychotropic medications with this population and carried out extensive research in this area. As an advocate, he helped create community-based homes and co-founded the non-profit Annie Sullivan Enterprises, Inc. to help people with severe behavioral and developmental disabilities and their families. This organization continues to serve families and provides legal guardianship for those who need the greatest amount of support.
Steve is recognized for his leadership and research both nationally and internationally. He served as Editor for a number of leading journals focusing on intellectual and other developmental disabilities, published numerous articles and books, worked with colleagues in East Germany to study and share innovative intervention programs, and provided on-going consultation to the Ann Sullivan Center in Lima, Peru.
Steve was a warm, loving and compassionate person who was devoted to his family and friends. He had high standards for himself and others with his faith and values guiding his life’s actions and interactions. He will be missed as a husband, father, grandfather, friend, mentor, colleague and advocate. He cherished life, his faith, intellectual pursuits, working on the farm, music, reading, traveling and celebrating the successes of others.
His parents, three brothers, and one sister preceded Steve in death. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, his two sons, Mark (Angel) of High Point, North Carolina, Matthew (Carolina) of Caracas, Venezuela, his five grandchildren, Zoe, Mary, Evan, Ian, Stefania, one step-grandson, Saddler, two sisters, Genevieve and Lou Ann, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 23, 2017, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Center Ann Sullivan International, or Corpus Christi Catholic Church and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Ann Kaiser says
Dear Carolyn:
What a wonderful life Steve lived and how very much he loved you and his family. I have so many memories of his warmth and smile, as well as of his always very very smart and very supportive questions about my work. I will miss his presence in the world, as I am sure you will. My heart is with you in this sad time.
Jenny Messina says
Dear Carolyn,
My sincere condolences on the passing of your darling husband Steve. His nice smile and gentleness will be missed.
Julio Chojeda Torres says
Dear Carolyn,
“Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. My sincerest condolences for an incredibly great loss. I’ll never forget your husband Steve.”
Sincerely
Julio Chojeda Torres
Lima-Perú
CASP
Matt Mosconi says
I feel fortunate to have been able to get to know Steve. He had a profound influence on his profession, and he was a truly unique and caring person. He will be missed by so many of us. We are thinking of you, Carolyn.
Charlie Greenwood says
Dear Carolyn,
One of my pleasures in life was working with Steve as LSI Director. He brought a new vision to KS that created a legacy of important research, Doing science and Doing good. He was always supportive of the Juniper Gardens mission and our work in the behavioral sciences. Myself and my Juniper Gardens Colleagues mourn his passing and also celebrate this life. Peace be with you and family,
Charlie Greenwood
Paul D. Cheney says
Dear Carolyn,
Phyllis and I extend our deepest condolences. Steve was a great friend and colleague. He was a perfect fit for the LSI director and always very supportive of the work at the Smith Center on the KUMC campus. I remember so many good times working with him. Our thoughts are with you.
Paul and Phyllis Cheney
Len Abbeduto says
Dear Carolyn:
I am so sorry for your loss. Steve has left an impressive legacy as a scholar and leader in our field. He also was beloved by everyone who know him. He will be missed.
Len Abbeduto
Jim Budde says
Dear Carolyn,
It was my honor to serve under Steve when he took over for Dr. Schiefelbush. When I first met him I remembered his kind face and smile. He was a nice and thoughtful man. But that was far from what he was and what he achieved for others. His professional achievements were huge but not as huge as his heart. He cared about people and he cared about our Research and Training Center on Independent Living. You could count on Steve to help you through a challenge and stick with you. What I have known about your family, he was a go to guy with a big smile and big dreams. I am glad that he was a part of my life.
Sally Cameron says
Carolyn
I was so sorry to learn of Steve’s death. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. It has been a long time since I have seen you – have many fond memories.
I know how much you both meant to Judy – she would be sad.
Fondly
Sally
Jon and Lynn Lundstrom says
Dear Carolyn,
Lynn and I were so lucky to meet Steve and you on the ship. We are so sorry for your loss. In the little time we shared with him, he was such a joy to talk and laugh with. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jon and Lynn Lundstrom
Cindy Hart says
Dear Carolyn
The lives Steve (and you) have impacted will continue to have an amazing ripple effect and his legacy will live on forever. It’s a joy to read such a beautiful tribute to an outstanding individual. Sending you much love and peace.
Your friends at Bert Nash
David Johnson says
Steve was a mentor and leader of the Lifespan. His vision, acumen and gentle touch will be missed by all – but especially me.
David Consbruck says
Dear Family of Friends of Dr. Steve Schroeder,
Steve was a most amazing man in the realms of family, friends, and benefactors. As the founding member of the “Give a Damn, Care a Lot, Find Out, & Do Something Meaningful Insttute,” he will leave a huge legacy of like-minded, like-hearted people following in his giant footsteps on a mission to change the world into the place it’s meant to be, inspite of all odds. We have little choice in picking family, a little more in picking friends, but rarely are we so lucky to have been picked by a Soldier Angel like my buddy Steve!. It’s time to celebrate and honor his gift of himself to all of us.
Wishing you, Carolyn, and all the Family, every comfort and joy in this difficult time
In all sincerity,
David Consbruck
Linda Silber says
Dear Carolyn
My heart goes out to you on the loss of Steve. He left big footprints in whatever endeavor he took on and will be missed by many. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I wish you comfort in the coming days and months.
Sincerely
Linda Silber
Eli Peschiera says
I have no words to express the great respect and admiration I feel for Dr. Schroeder. A great friend, consultant, teacher; that in our institution -the Centro Ann Sullivan del Peru- we will never forget him. Today our institution is saddened by the loss of such a human and generous person; of great sensitivity. God bless you dear Steve and receive our tribute from Peru, for your great human and professional work.
It was an honor for me to meet you and I thank God for having that great opportunity in my life.
Dear Carolyn and family, my deepest condolences.
Your friend,
Elizabeth Peschiera
Centro Ann Sullivan del Perú
CASP
Judith Carta says
Dear Carolyn,
I was so very sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. Such a warm, caring person who touched so many of us both personally and professionally. I loved seeing the picture of him overlooking the Mississippi. May your memories of all your wonderful adventures with him fill you with peace. We will miss him dearly.
In deepest sympathy,
Judy Carta
Nancy Martin says
Dear Carolyn,
I was both shocked and sad to hear of Steve’s passing. I send my warmest thoughts your way as you adjust to this major loss. I’m sure your close=knit family has gathered and will bring much comfort. Steve has left behind shoes that cannot be filled either personally or professionally. It has been a gift to know you both.
Love,
Nancy Martin
Maura Hausler Valeiras says
Dear Carolyn,
Most of my life I have had the warmth and knowledge that you and Steve were making all those you touched smarter, happier and at peace. I am thinking of you today and everyday, blessed that I will have Steve’s calm strong voice in my head. You have all my love, strength and prayers. Steve will be so missed by so many he is joining a few strong others to watch over you now. Hugs and kisses.
Julie Boydston says
Carolyn,
I was so fortunate to have met Steve and to know him through your eyes. He will be missed and has left such a legacy for others– through your family and on the field.
Love,
Julie Boydston
Jim Greene says
Carolyn
My deepest sympathy to you and the to the entire Schroeder family. I will always remember Steve for his gentle and warm personality. May you and the family find peace.
Chuck & Donna Grezlak says
Carolyn
Our prayers and and sympathy are with you and your family during this very difficult time. We considered you and Steve the ultimate traveling partners, and we feel privileged to have had the company of both of you on our wonderful trip to Africa. We can still smile at the vision of all of us riding elephants at the elephant refuge in South Africa, and Steve being surrounded by rhinos in the range rover while we were photographing the other rhinos near the lake. We both thought of Steve as the ultimate “gentleman” in every sense of the term. He will be missed by so many but left a wonderful legacy with both his family and his significant and generous professional contributions. God bless you and the family. Chuck & Donna
Frances A. Campbell says
Dear Carolyn,
Although my contacts with Steve were limited, to have known him even briefly was to glimpse a great soul. All my memories of him are warm. How wonderful a life you shared, and what a difference you both have made for those whose needs are most challenging. Heartfelt condolences to you and all the family from B. J. and me. Love, Frances Campbell
Mary Cerreto says
Dear Carolyn,
The work that you and Steve did provided such a model to so many of us. The world has lost a great man and scholar.
Mary Cerreto, PhD
Boston University School of Medicine
Greg Olley says
Dear Carolyn,
I am so saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. You both are such significant people for both your personal and professional contributions. I find it hard to believe that he is gone. His legacy will always remain. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Greg Olley
Steve Hooper says
Dear Carolyn,
I am so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. I hope that you can find some peace in his legacy and the number of live that have been positively affected by him (and you). My deepest sympathies.
Trevor Parmenter says
Dear Carolyn and Family
Colleagues across the world remember the enormous contribution Steve made to improve the lives of people with with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A giant yet humble man we shall all miss.
Trevor R. Parmenter
President, IASSIDD, 1996-2000
Melissa Johnson says
Dear Carolyn,
I was so very sad to read of Steve’s death. What a wonderful man he was, professionally and as a very special human being. Your 54 year marriage was a model and inspiration. It is hard to imagine how much you must miss him.
Much love
Melissa
Bobby and Korrel Kanoy says
Dear Carolyn:
We were very sorry to hear about Steve’s passing. Although, it’s been many years, We enjoyed following the path you and Steve had through Ohio and Kansas after leaving North Carolina.
Steve gave Bobby his start in an academic career and his was a terrific mentor. We will miss his soft spoken way and will keep you both in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Bobby and Korrel
Donna S. Arendshorst says
Carolyn,
So sorry to hear about Steve. He was one of a kind, so warm, humble and caring. Wishing you and your family strength as you cope with your loss.
Donna S. Arendshorst