Steven Dale Myers, 59, at home, after a long battle with cancer. He leaves his beloved partner Alison Rowell of Gloucester and Cambridge with whom he shared the last 9 years of his life. He came to Gloucester in 1972, being drawn to Cape Ann by its beauty and the rich creative community. He was an artist, musician and engineer.
Born January 27, 1948 in Chicago, he was the son of Margot (Grumbacher) and the late John H. Myers. He received a B.S. in Math from Purdue in ‘69, M.A. in Sociology from Univ. of Illionis ‘71 and M.S. in Computer Science from UMass. Amherst ‘83.
Mr. Myers professional life focused primarly on software programming and design. He worked at Applicon Schlumberger Ltd., Battenfield Gloucester Engineering, and at Axcelis Technologies in Beverly where he was a Software Release Group leader until Dec. 2004. He also taught Sociology in the Continuing Education Dept. of North Shore Community College 1972-1973.
But his first love was music and painting. He played double bass, guitar and piano, and was an Instructor in the Performing Arts Division at UMass Amherst from 1979-1982; He played double bass with the Cape Ann Symphony in the 80’s and was a member of the Symphony Board. He was also a board member of the Gloucester Council for the Arts, 2005 – 2006
Mr. Myers took up painting in 1997 attending evening classes at Montserrat College of Art ‘97-99, and later took plein air instruction from David Curtis and other artists. His first solo show was at The Guild in 2004. He exhibited at North Shore Arts Assoc. in Gloucester, winning the Workshop Prize at the Assoc. Members show in 2003; the Rockport Art Assoc., Concord Art Association, the Magnolia Library, and at the Cambridge Art Association University Place gallery in a three-person show in 2006. He was a Board member of the Gloucester Council for the Arts, 2005-2006
He is survived by his son Micah Young Myers, of Palo Alto, CA. He is also survived by his mother, sister Karen and brother in-law Larry Martin of Highland, IN. as well as a niece, nephew, aunts, uncles and many cherished friends. Deep appreciation to Dr. Lecia Sequist and Jeannemarie Griffin, RN of Yawkey Center, MGH; and Tracey Schwartz and the whole Hospice staff for their love and dedication to Steve’s well-being during his illness.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church, cnr. Middlde St and Church Streets, Gloucester on Saturday January 12, at 3.00pm.
A reception will follow. Relatives and friends are invited to attend and share memories.
In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the Hospice North Shore, 10 Elm Street, Danvers.