Stephen Ira Danzansky

Stephen Ira Danzansky (“Steve”), beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather, died on June 2 of natural causes at his home in Washington, D.C. He leaves behind his children, Michael Winston Danzansky and Katharine Cox Danzansky; his three grandsons, Andrew Joseph Dillon, Benjamin Lee Dillon, and Bodhi Coleman Danzansky; his brother, Richard Frank Danzansky; and a legacy of service. He is preceded in death by his wife, Joan Cox Danzansky. He was 85.

Stephen was a 3rd generation Washingtonian born to Joseph and Ethel Danzansky, remarkable public servants in their own right. After graduating from Wilson High School, he matriculated at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA. Along with a highly successful academic career, Steve also penned two original musicals during his time at W&L, which were performed by his fellow students to much acclaim. A true renaissance man, he later turned down an offer from Yale Drama School to study law at George Washington University, where he graduated with honors.

After graduating from law school, Stephen remained in Washington, D.C., joining the law firm Danzansky and Dickey, which later became Danzansky, Dickey, Tydings, Quint & Gordon, where he rose to the position of partner. In 1981, he helped establish and was named Managing Partner of the Washington, D.C. office of Willkie Farr & Gallagher.

Stephen was an active leader in the DC Young Republicans, and it was through that organization that he met future wife, Joan Winston Cox of Sweetbriar, VA, who turned out to be a liberal Democrat in disguise. Despite the deception, the unique and wonderful union stuck, and they remained married for nearly 55 years, until her passing in 2022.

An avid sports fan and a loyal Washingtonian, Stephen not only supported his beloved teams, but worked hard to give his city more teams to cheer for. In 1973, he and his father nearly closed a deal to bring the San Diego Padres baseball team to D.C.

He helped to bring Washington its first professional soccer team and served as President of the Washington Diplomats Soccer Club and was on the Board of Directors for the North American Soccer League from 1975–1980. He also chaired the Washington Area Olympic Committee from 1983–1985. In his later years, one of his favorite activities was cheering on his beloved “Nats” while watching alongside his son Michael and grandson Bodhi.

In 1985, Stephen was called into public service by his friend Robert McFarlane. He joined the Reagan Administration as the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Economic Affairs, National Security Council at the White House. He stayed in the administration in various capacities, moving to Deputy Assistant to the President for Economic Affairs, and finally Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Cabinet Affairs.

When President George H.W. Bush took office, Stephen moved to Chief of Staff at the Department of Education under Lamar Alexander.

In 1998, Stephen moved on to some of his most fulfilling work. A devoted Christian Scientist, he commuted weekly to Boston for seven years, serving as Executive Manager of Board Research, Development, and Projects for the Church. He later shepherded the vision of the Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity – bringing together history, design, and spiritual legacy – where he served as the Founding Chief Executive Officer and President.

Throughout his working life, he served on over 30 professional and civic nonprofit boards and task forces. However, it was in his “retirement” that Stephen was able to focus on several causes dear to his heart.

A devoted patriot, he proudly served on the DC Board of Elections to ensure a safe and fair democratic process for all residents. He was an active contributor to Community Renewal International, an organization dedicated to transforming cities into safe, connected, and caring communities by fostering relationships among neighbors.

He served on the Advisory Council of Tzedek DC, an organization dedicated to helping close racial and lower-income wealth gaps. He was a leader in helping Tzedek’s ongoing efforts to create a financial literacy program that reaches every child in the city of Washington. He also served on the advisory board of the National Museum of American Religion.

What cannot be expressed by his list of accomplishments is the essence of what made Stephen remarkable as a person. He was a skilled connector who believed deeply in the value of each human life. He was an unshakably principled man who was unafraid to stand up when he felt justice was compromised. He was a loving gift-giver and creative who spent hours planning “Poppy’s Great Adventures” for his grandchildren. He was a master gardener who took great pride in nurturing his showcase-worthy yard. He was a gifted orator and storyteller, with a quick wit and sharp sense of humor. His loyalty was ferocious, and there was no limit to what he would do to help a friend in need. He was interesting and interested and if you were talking to Stephen, you always felt like you were the most important person in the room. A man of deep faith and conviction, he never judged others for alternative ideals. He will be deeply missed.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery on June 28th at 10 AM.