Robert S. Stepp

Robert Stanley Stepp, 80, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 14, 2010. Mr. Stepp was born in Ford City, Pennsylvania on February 20, 1930 to the late Stanley Frances Stepp and Barbara Smith Stepp. A life-long student of the piano, Mr. Stepp’s love for the instrument bagan at an early age. He began playing when he was 10 years old and started playing seriously in high school concerts launching a brilliant career as a concert pianist. Mr. Stepp attended the respected Sherwood School of Music in Chicago, Illinois, where he had the good fortune to study under Herbert Renisen and Leo Podolski, a respected concert pianist of the era. While at Sherwood, Mr. Stepp earned two Bachelor degrees and a Masters in Music and Music Education, respectively. They would serve him well later in life as a gifted music teacher. Mr. Stepp relocated to Jacksonville in the late 1950’s where he began working and teaching in a local music shop. In 1964 he met and married Katharyn Griffis Kinney and became the stepfather of Alfred and Mary. He considered his greatest achievement to be performing as a concert pianist with the Chicago Symphony, and while music occupied the majority of his time, Mr. Stepp was also a highly accomplished in the art of faceting. He is credited with creating the “backgammon cut” a unique design that was featured in the international publication, Lapidary Journal. Mr. Stepp’s legacy will be the lasting gift of music that he passed on to hundreds of students during his career. He encouraged them all to be the best they could possibly be. Survivors include a step-son, Alfred L. Kinney, and a step-daughter, Mary K. Smith, both of Jacksonville,FL.; Son-in-law, Steven Risher Smith Sr., and two grandchildren, Steven Risher Smith and Katharyn Evans Smith. The family will have a private Interment at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery of Jacksonville, FL. A Memorial Mass to celebrate his life will be held Tuesday, 11:00am, October 19, 2010 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 1771 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. The family of Robert Stepp would like to express their deepest appreciation to the staff at the Sterling House of Merrimac. Arrangements are under the care of Hardage-Giddens Edgewood Funeral Home, 729 S. Edgewood Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32205.