Long-time Maine College of Art & Design faculty member Stephen Karl Halpert, 91, passed away from complications of pancreatic cancer on July 13, 2024. He was born on May 24, 1933, in Waterbury, Connecticut, and moved to Portland in 1936, where he lived the rest of his life.
Steve cherished his childhood summers at Camp Brunonia in Casco, Maine, and at Brandy Pond in Naples, Maine. As the captain of the Deering High School track team, he excelled in sprints and hurdles, graduating in 1951. After graduating from Brown University with a BA in English in 1955, he pursued his passion for film at Harvard, where he earned his MA.
Following his service in the U.S. Air Force, Steve and his wife Judy relocated with their two young children to Rome, Italy, where Steve focused on his writing. Upon returning to Portland, he taught at Deering High School and worked as a reporter for the Portland Press Herald. Additionally, Steve taught at Westbrook Junior College (now the University of New England) for over 50 years as Chair of the English Department and at the University of Maine. Moreover, he dedicated 45 years to teaching English and Film Studies at Portland School of Art (and later, MECA&D) in the Academic Studies Department until his retirement in 2018.
While at Westbrook (UNE), he started showcasing works by local and renowned photographers. This endeavor eventually led to the establishment of the Stephen K. Halpert Collection of Photography at the UNE Art Gallery in 2016. Director Hilary Irons called Steve "one of Maine's most influential collectors and curators." Notably, at 90, he curated three significant photography exhibitions.
In 1979, Steve and Judy acquired The Movies on Exchange, a beloved spot for watching arthouse and repertory films until 2009. They also owned and operated the Custom Shop, a custom drapery business founded in 1935 by the Halpert family.
Steve was involved in various organizations such as the NAACP, Baxter Society, Torch Club, Jazz at the Movies, and book clubs. He also served as a trustee of the Tidebrook Preserve in Freeport.
Known for his kindness and integrity, Steve was passionate about jazz, movies, and baseball, particularly the Detroit Tigers. Even when diagnosed with pancreatic cancer shortly before his passing, Steve drew strength from Ernest Hemingway's quote: "The world is a fine place . . . and I hate very much to leave it."
Steve is survived by his wife of 68 years, Judith Ann Venner; his sister, Joanna Kraus of Irvine, California; children Karl (Claudette) of Taos, New Mexico and Naples, Maine, Gretchen (Ron Faris) of Portland, Maine, Kate Lowry of Falmouth, Maine, and Jacob (Stacy Mitchell) of Portland, Maine; as well as several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.