Every year it is harder to believe how long it has been since Stu left us because my memories of his wisdom and warmth and of happy times with him have not faded in the least. 

Stu Stein's wisdom and extensive knowledge continue to actively inform my participation on boards and committees.  "How far that little candle throws its Beam"!

Nearly every meeting I attend, especially if I am presiding, Stu Stein is present in memory, reminding me to make sure everyone is invited to contribute, listening to everyone empathetically, offering carefully thought out, succinct suggestions rather than giving orders or pronouncing ultimatums. He is still at work, compassionate and rock solid firm. We miss seeing him.

Passing years may dim the acute sting of loss, but happy memories rush in at the oddest of times.

Another year has passed and nothing has changed. Because something Stu said or did comes to mind so frequently, it still seems as though we lost him only recently. A big sigh.

Stu looms so large in my memory that it's hard to believe it's been seven years. His kindness and wisdom are still palpable. I cherish so many memories of him, from the time I was 16 and he invited me to go along on a road trip to Iowa and Wisconsin, where we trespassed on Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin, to a visit to Ithaca 50 years later, when he patiently explained how MEGA worked. What a wonderful brother-in-law.

The message left a year ago bears repeating today. the example Stu set is rememberd by many and we try to emualte it. In these ever more contentious time it time to give thanks .
Today is an excellent moment to recall how Stu Stein was always even-handed and respectful to all sides in the vigorous debates so necessary to the democratic process. He arrived at his own well-reserached and thoughtful positions but also knew when and how to compromise in the best interests of moving our community forward on solid ground. Good lessons for us all. He is still here with us with that necessary message.

Today is an excellent moment to recall how Stu Stein was always even-handed and respectful to all sides in the vigorous debates so necessary to the democratic process. He arrived at his own well-reserached and thoughtful positions but also knew when and how to compromise in the best interests of moving our community forward on solid ground.  Good lessons for us all. He is still here with us with that necessary message.

In the current political times where half the country is at odds with the other half, we miss people like Stu more than ever. People like Stu who could build bridges for the common good.

Many of us continue to be admiring of the many contributions Stu made to this community and the example of public service he presented.  LeGrace Benson

Thanks, Jenniece, for expressing the love we all feel.

Five years ago, we lost our beloved Stu Stein. Not a day goes by that his family doesn’t miss him and appreciate all he was to us. He will forever be an inspiration to those whose lives he touched, which are many. In this way, his legacy lives on.

Thank you to all who have shared your heartfelt thoughts and memories about Stu. It means the world to us.

Dear Jenny, it was so nice to hear from you. I'm sure that today brings back many memories. When I saw the photographs of your dad today, it seemed as if I had just seen him. He had such a warm smile. What a beautiful person he was. I wish you and your family well. Simone

Stuart Stein's example of respectful listening to other sides, other opinions is a much needed example to continue to follow in these contentious times.
Remembered today and always.

There are many things that can be said about Stu's service to the community, dedication to his students, or commitment to progressive political change, but what I'll never forget is that he was simply one of the nicest people you could ever meet. He just cared about other people.

It's difficult to believe that Stu is gone so long. He is certainly on my mind especially as I continue to navigate the tourism program that was so near and dear to him and remains an important part of his legacy in this community.
I still look to him and his wisdom.

Stuart Stein's example of informed, solidly focused approach to civic participation was also a sterling example of how to have serious commitments and at the same time give full respect to those with whom you may disagree. This is a time when remembering his example has special significance. Thank you, Stu.

I'm sad to hear about the passing of Stuart Stein, the father of my former roommate and friend Jenny Stein. I first met Stuart back in the early 1990s, when he and Sandy came to visit Jenny at our apartment in Sherman Oaks, a district in Los Angeles. Jenny and I were students at UCLA back then. The first impression I had of Stuart was that he was a very kind and intelligent man with a sweet smile. Jenny very much looks like him. I remember that I felt touched that he and Sandy invited me to come along for dinner with them and Jenny. Later, when I returned to Germany, where I'm from, Stewart and Sandy visited me in Berlin and I was so happy to see them again and to take them around town in my black Fiat Panda. I remember how the three of us (Jenny was not with them) were walking through Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam. Later, I visited the Stein family in Ithaca, New York around the holidays. This must have been 18 years ago and the last time I saw him.

As a student of Stus' back in the early seventies I went to him along with my partners in crime Rob Chelseth and Mark Trumbo with the possibility of winning grant from the then America the Beautiful Fund stemming from our work in Watkins Glen.
We had someone from America the Beautiful coming to Ithaca to discuss our proposal.
I will always remember Stus' immediate response was to yell to his then secretary Hugh to get the department credit card so that we could conduct the interview over lunch at the Statler. I believe that Stus' exact words to Hugh were "these guys have a woman coming with a hot checkbook, give them the department credit card". 
Stu always knew the steps in the dance and those dance lessons have
always served me well.

I met Stu a little more than 15 years ago with he was involved with what was then an electricity aggregation project between Tompkins and Tioga Counties. 

As the Broome County Purchasing Agent, at the time I was intrigued by the concept and after meeting with representatives of the organization we joined. Soon the organization became the Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance (MEGA). Stu was a founding member, Chairman of the Board, Executive Director and in charge of Special Projects. I am honored to be associated with the organization today.

An innovator, a leader, a mediator and a mentor - all describe Stu and for those of us who knew him we are richer for the experience.

In community political discussions and disputations Stu set us an example to look and listen, giving all due respect, for any point of common agreement, no matter how slight, then to establish that common ground in order to move ahead toward further agreement. This is true leadership. We can honoe Stu best by following his example.

As one of the many students that Stu advised during his years at Cornell, I shared in soaking up his teachings and advice. I was fortunate enough to continue to work with Stu over many years after I left Cornell, through his involvement with several state and federal commissions. I always considered his approach to any issue as invaluable guidance to whatever work was at hand.   
I was able to repay him just a bit by having the honor of writing the nomination, on behalf of New York Upstate Chapter of the America Planning Association, for his selection as a member of the Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners. This may have been one of the easier papers I have ever written; the only hard part was the page limitation! While this is just one of many honors bestowed on Stu throughout his life, witnessing his induction to the FAICP with his family in 2000 was certainly a personal joy for me, and a source of pride for all of the members of the Upstate APA Chapter.
I am so sorry I am not able to attend the memorial service on May 3. Stu is truly missed and I know I will continue to carry his wisdom and advice as a touchstone for my life.

Twelve hours after meeting "Uncle Stu,"
I knew four things for sure:
He was an Eskimo
The avenue off State Street was named for him
He was born with a camera
He knew everything.

I can't begin to explain what his presence meant, or how his absence feels. But there are two ways to safely travel roads unknown. One with a GPS ; one with SWS. And, as it is with stars, Stu's light will forever be a guide.

When my thesis stalled out for years after planning school, Stu approached me and suggested writing up my experience with the Town of Caroline Planning Advisory Committee. He chaired my committee and got me through to the degree.

When I was elected to the County Legislature, Stu was already there and served as a mentor and leader during my early years. I was proud to follow in his footsteps.

Stu taught me Urban Design 101 when I was a very young city and regional planning student, back in the 1980s. I still remember my first homework assignment: to map my old London neighborhood using landmarks and pathways that made sense to me. The end product was an extraordinary map of sensory memory: a foundation stone for understanding the built and natural environment as both physical and emotional landscapes, which was to serve me well throughout my career.

Stu was a big influence on my choice of thesis, to work on the Tenant’s Movement in Philadelphia, and on my decision to work at the Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services after I graduated with my Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning in 1982. His passion for historic preservation also influenced me: one of my favorite consulting projects was to work on the Preservation Plan for the City of Fitchburg, Ma.

Over the years as I settled in Massachusetts, married, had children and cycled between working and being a full-time mother, I lost touch with Stu. However, when our daughter Emma began her freshman year at Alfred University, I immediately knew we had to visit Ithaca and look up Stu and Sandy. I loved that visit! I saw how proud Stu was of my progress through life; how surprised and delighted he was that I had become an artist, and was weaving together my planning and landscape design work in silk paintings. More importantly, I saw that he really loved me as his old student from over thirty years ago. And that in his eyes I was still the shy, skinny, inquisitive London girl who soaked up everything he taught me.

I miss Stu Stein.

I will miss the catch up phone calls we had several times a year. We covered a broad range of subjects sharing humor & wisdom along the way. Uncle Stuart had wonderfully insightful perspectives and I always hung up the phone feeling better for having spent my time with him. A kind, thoughtful, gentle man who is missed by all.

Stu Stein: One of God's last noblemen.
He was a beautiful human being... I am proud to have known him.
Ciao!
Aurora.

Holding your family in my thoughts and heart.Blessed be.

Jenny, your dad was a remarkable man. You must be very proud of him.

We stand on the shoulders of giants and Stu Stein was a leader among giants. The world is without doubt a much better, more beautiful, and wiser place through his great work, not only at Cornell University, but in government and our broader community at all levels. Onward and upward in the spirit of Stu Stein.

Stephen Iachetta, AICP,
Albany,

Stu touched me at many points throughout my adult life. First as a student in planning at Cornell, then as a carpenter when I built the addition to his and Sandra's house and later when I was able to serve with him on the tourism board. At each and every point he taught me valuable lessons through his wisdom and humanity. To say that he is missed is an incredible understatement.