Obituary: Stephen Henry Lotspeich
November 18, 1952 - April 24, 2024
April 30, 2024
Stephen Henry Lotspeich, 1952 - 2024. Photo by Gordon Miller
Stephen Henry Lotspeich, known to family, friends and colleagues as Steve, died on Wednesday, April 24 in Berlin, Vermont, at age 71. Steve was born November 18, 1952 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and married his wife Judith Taipa Lotspeich on June 27, 1981 in Dayton, Ohio.
After graduating from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont, Steve took his Masters in Landscape Architecture from University of Virginia. He and Judith moved to Vermont for his job as town planner, and eventually the Planning and Zoning Director, for Waterbury until his retirement on March 30, 2023.
Steve and Judith had three children, Cholena, Yana and Anshe. He adored his children, and his activities with them, especially outdoors. Steve loved everything about the beautiful fields and woods surrounding him at their home in Waterbury Center (which he and Judith designed), and at their family farm in Greensboro. He loved animals and birds, hiking, back-country skiing, canoeing, organic gardening, and anything to do with wood: cutting and splitting firewood for heat, and using woodworking tools to create toy airplanes, bowls, furniture, and other beautiful objects. He also was a potter.
Steve loved music, and was a talented guitarist and banjo player. He wrote many songs, and played in several local folk and bluegrass groups. He performed around Waterbury for children at the library, at the farmers’ market, and at festivals. He also loved singing in the choir at the Waterbury Congregational Church. Judith and Steve shared many adventures and a deep love for one another.
Steve’s hard work and generous spirit were recognized formally with many awards at work, and much appreciation from family, friends and his community. He is survived by, and deeply missed by his wife Judith, children Cholena, Yana and Anshe, granddaughter Hunter, sister Sylvia Lotspeich Greene, and brother and sister-in-law Charlie Lotspeich and Phyllis Woolf.
A service celebrating the life of Stephen H. Lotspeich will be held at the Waterbury Congregational Church on Saturday, May 18, at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the Nature Conservancy or the American Friends Service Committee. To send online condolences please visit perkinsparker.com.