Steven L. Alexander

Steven was born in Waco, Texas in 1939. He began his career in journalism while in high school, taking still photographs of a murder trial in 1954 for the local television station when photography in a courtroom was first allowed. By the time he was twenty, he was working full time as a freelance photographer for newspapers, news agencies, and magazines such as Life and Ladies Home Journal. He soon began shooting film, and began working for a television station in Shreveport LA, in 1962. As a newsreel cinematographer, he recorded many historic events. He filmed the riots caused by the integration of the University of Mississippi, enduring threats and taunts from those who viewed the national press as a hostile force. He met and filmed every president from Johnson through Reagan. In 1963, he filmed Jack Ruby shooting Lee Harvey Oswald, who had assassinated President Kennedy. He also covered the police riot associated with the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago and many momentous events of the Civil Rights era. In the latter part of his career, he returned to still photography. He was active in many professional associations, including the White House Press Photographers Association, American Society of Media Photographers and the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees.

Steven was an active member of his synagogue congregations in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Dayton, Ohio. For most of the last twenty years, he was a leader at Temple Shir Tikvah in Winchester, Massachusetts, often leading services, discussion groups and committees. He loved to read, to spend time with his family, and to cheer on the Patriots. He loved to travel with his wife, Areve, and they especially enjoyed seeing sights of natural and manmade beauty, photos of which form a substantial part of Steven’s body of work.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Areve; his sons, Benjamin and Rick; his daughters-in-law, Evelyn, Elly and Jen; his grandchildren, Sarah, Zev, Justin and Josh; his sister, Phyllis Ullman and her husband Richard; and Areve’s brother, Merom Brachman and his wife, Judy. His third son, Keith, died ten years ago. He also leaves behind many cousins, nephews and nieces and friends, all of whom will miss him greatly. Contributions in Steven’s memory may be made to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, the Council of Social Concern, the American Cancer Society or Mazon.