Passed away peacefully on February 20, 2021 at Rosario Assisted Living in Anacortes, WA

He was 95.1 years old

Survived by his spouse Bebe, after a marriage of 60 years, daughter Jackie, stepson Rick, son-in law Shannon,  Marysia (cousin) in Poland and many extended family and long-time friends.

He was a survivor of the Holocaust - all his family perished and he found himself alone, in Poland, at the age of 19, Warsaw in rubble, his home and country devastated.  He escaped to Frankfurt after the Russian occupation of Poland

Keeping a promise to his mother to continue his education, he studied to become a physician in a language not well versed at the time, German, at the University of Frankfurt - changing after two years to psychiatry.  He applied for visa to America - arrived in the United States in 1947 and yet again, tackling a new language, passed the necessary exams and received a scholarship to USC. In 1962 graduated as Doctor in Clinical Psychology.

While studying, he supported himself by odd jobs including transporting people who had died, from their homes to the mortuary.  He worked at See's chocolate factory, and valet and inventory clerk at a men's clothing store, where he was promised a lucrative future.

In 1962 he, with a small group of other dedicated professionals, became pioneers in establishing The San Fernando Valley Child Guidance Clinic in Northridge, CA. The clinic became successful, well known and respected, becoming the major community agency serving west of the Rockies.  He became Director of Program Development Services, providing treatment in psychotherapy with children, adolescents and their parents. When he retired after 26 years it had grown to a staff of several hundred with far-reaching reputation earning awards and grants.

He loved traveling with his family, enjoyed opera, ballet and theater and in his young years belonged to a group of Polish Folk dancers at UCLA

After his retirement from the clinic, Steve was in private practice until 2014 (he was 88 years old) when he and his wife moved to the State of Washington to be near their daughter and son-in-law.

He will be remembered for his enthusiastic involvement and contributions to his profession.  For being a wonderful husband, father and friend.  He was genuinely selfless, altruistic, and an encouraging and patient listener.  He appreciated the simple things in life and rarely voiced complaints without pointing them out in a constructive manner with a smile.  At the Assisted Living facility where he lived for over 5 years, he became a member of its' activities by opening discussions with other tenants on subjects dear to their hearts, helping share their recollections or discuss current issues.  His program listing on the event calendar read:  "On the couch with Steven".

He has been known to travel fast in his wheelchair, and anticipating that, anyone in his way would know to get their toes out of harm's way!  He eagerly participated in weekly groups of cross word solving and many other games, including Bingo, which was his favorite. He enjoyed being taken with a group of fellow tenants to a nearby casino, where many times a big smile would most definitely indicate success!

Before Covid, we were able to take him out for trips to nearby events, playing games, visiting friends and enjoying dinners.  During Covid for the past year, our daily contact with him was through the window in his room. We dropped off his favorite beverages and foods that he missed which pleased him and helped us cope with not being able to take him out of the facility.

He will be very much missed and remembered with love and admiration.

A history of just a few of his many professional achievements:

Member of the American Board of Professional Psychology
Fellow, Academy of Clinical Psychologists
Member, Psychology Staff at the Psychiatric Hospital in Van Nuys, Ca
President of the State of California Psychological Association

Teaching Affiliations:

Clinical Professor, Fuller Graduate School of Psychology in Pasadena, Ca
Associate Clinical Professor, UCLA

He also served as Expert Witness on the Psychological Panel of the Los Angeles Superior and Juvenile Courts.

In 1969 he was one of the evaluating psychologists in the trial of Sirhan Sirhan, regarding the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy

Four publications:

Case Aid Training Program - Newsletter (1966)

Coping with Children's Reactions to Earthquakes and Other Disasters (1971) in cooperation with co-author Norma Gordon, MA and issued in different languages for distribution in other countries.

Mental Health Intervention in a Major Disaster (1972) with co-author Norma Gordon, MA

A Rational Approach to Custody - Published in Marriage and Divorce Magazine (1974)

To share memories of Steve, please sign the online guestbook at www.evanschapel.com