OBITUARY FOR STEPHEN G. STONEBURN (July, 12 1943 –  January, 12 2021)

With deep sadness we learned of the death of our friend Stephen G. Stoneburn in New York.

Steve came to the opening of the permanent exhibition “Jewish Life in Breisach 1931” in September 2019. His presence represented the descendants of the Eisemann family; his wife Michelle, his sister-in-law Sandy Ehrlich, her husband and the great-grandchildren of Michael and Clara Eisemann and their families. Steve opened the celebration in the garden of the Blue House. He also took part in the 1650 year celebration of the city of Breisach am Rhein, as well as in the workshops with the pupils of the Hugo Höfler Realschule Breisach.

We didn’t know Steve well then. Without knowing how passionate he was about good food and good wine, we were happy to be able to give him a real treat with his farewell dinner at the Kaiserstuhl. It’s so sad that there won’t be a repeat.
Steven went from being his wife and stepdaughter Lauren’s companion at the naming of the Michael-Eisemann-Platz in 2015, to becoming a close and committed friend and supporter of the Blue House in 2019.

The Blue House and the city of Breisach are grateful to Steven and his family for making possible the continuation of our work over the past two years. For us, this has meant appreciation of the work that has been done at the Blue House, and also the work that lies ahead.

In August we spoke to Michelle and Steve via ZOOM about the further development of the various projects, and asked Steve if we could announce his financial support. He said yes, but for one reason only: he hoped that in doing so his support might serve as a model for others to follow his example.
Our condolences go to his wife Michelle and stepdaughter Lauren and their young family, as well as his sister and the Ehrlich family . From now on our work at the Blue House will remain closely linked to the memory of Steve.

Christiane Walesch-Schneller
for the board and the team of the Blue House Breisach
(www.blaueshausbreisach.de)

Photos: Hannelore Lang, Breisach

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