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I just received a E-mail about Al's sudden passing yesterday (Jan 27). I realize many here may not know Al, but his energy and drive as a audiophile, manufacturer, and show organization will be missed.
I had the pleasure of first coming to know Al over 10 years ago when he was just a audiophile and a customer of mine. Always a pleasure to deal with and as a fellow business man, a wise person to discuss such issues with and always willing to share the knowledge of his experience. People like Al made/make being in the Hi-Fi business great. I will very much miss his presence at future RMAF shows and his seemingly always smiling presence and attitude. My deepest condolences to his wife Marjorie and his family.
I have pasted in the e-mail from the RMAF with the announcement of Al's passing below:
-------------------------------------------------------
"We at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest mourn the sudden loss of co-founder Al
Stiefel. A dynamic presence in the industry, Al passed away on January 27, 2009.
In honor of Al's passion for music and audio technology, the 2009 Rocky
Mountain Audio Fest will go on as scheduled under the direction of Al's
wife, Marjorie Baumert, with guidance from an advisory board, the Colorado
Audio Society, and friends. To ensure the stability of this popular and
growing event, the hotel, shipper and staff remain the same as in past
years.
We understand that Al and Marjorie have touched many lives, but request
that expressions of sympathy exclude telephone calls. Office operations
will resume in mid-February.
For those many friends in the Colorado area, a memorial open house will be
held at the family home from 2-4pm on Saturday, January 31st. There will
be no service, but rather this gathering will be a celebration of Al's
life.
Memorial gifts in honor of Al Stiefel may be made to:
Swallow Hill Music Association
71 East Yale Avenue
Denver, CO 80210
OR
Center for Hearing & Speech & Language
4280 Hale Parkway
Denver, CO 80220"
--------------------------------------------------
Happy Listening,
Rich Brkich
Retailer & Audio Asylum Industry Liaison
Follow Ups:
For Al's friends and associates across the country, you will be glad to know that the wake at Al and Marjorie's beautiful home was packed with people. It is a testament to this great guy. Many may not know that Al and his wife had a beautiful home, filled with art, photography, and one-of-a-kind furniture. There were hundreds of people walking through, speaking with Marjorie, telling stories, and it spilled out onto the patios and street. A really nice sunny 65 degree Denver day. Groups of people were sitting in the listening room downstairs, while music played on the fantastic audio gear Al and his partner designed.
A nice informal tribute. And RMAF will continue as his legacy.
Edits: 02/03/09
I am saddened and shocked. Al and Marjorie are two of the nicest people you ever will know. I have never gone to the RAMF, but I'll certainly go this year. He was alwase cordial and supportive of our little endeavor, NFS Audio.
Al, I had a shot of Limoncelo in your honor!
You will be missed!
Nike
I had the please of getting to know Al and Marjorie over the past 5 years at the RMAF. He will be greatly missed. I am happy that the major players in the industry are dedicating the show to him, I know that would make him smile.
This is so sad.
Al was so helpful at RMAF,he took the time although extremely busy getting the show up & running to help out a first time-er a few years back, a true gentleman in every sense of the word.
My prayers go out to Marjorie and family.
nt
After our first contact from Al, we remember thinking "Who is this fellow that wants to start a show in Denver? Can't possibly work!" Then we met him and Marjorie and immediately realized their spirit and optimistic enthusiasm would make the RMAF a reality and a success. Our deepest condolences, Marjorie- we will miss him.
What a professional and a kind man. I was fortunate to share a few words with him at the recent THE Show. There, Al was constantly on the run and genuinely excited to be promoting the next RMAF. Everyone he spoke with was glad to see him and equally excited to know that every year the Denver event was bigger and better than ever.
You are in our hearts, Al. Thank you for all you did, and for your time with all of us.
Roy Johnson/Janet Lynn
Green Mountain Audio
He was a wonderful example of what enthusiasm and passion can accomplish.
He turned a modest regional audio meet into a national event.
He was also a thoroughly nice man.
Steven Stone
My deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends. Al's work on the RMAF was exemplary. He was a sensitive and responsive man with a true love of the industry. He will be missed by all.
Sincerely,
Peter
source of energy and optimism for the industry he loved. he was kind, generous and unassuming. He will be missed. My heart is with you Marjorie.
Bobby Palkovich
Merlin Music Systems
My sincerest condolences to Marjorie and family. I've been to the last few RMAFs and what really made those shows for me was the warmth and generosity of spirit from both Al and Marjorie. To me that's one of the main reasons for the show's success...
I spoke to Al and Marjorie at CES - same thing - they're 'just' great people that I would always want to be around.
As Rich wrote: "People like Al made/make being in the Hi-Fi business great."
Yes, indeed.
Graemme
Al and I always had good natured banter going back and forth. At RMAF he was always in motion - off to take care of the next issue, and take care of them he did! RMAF became a model for how a high end show should be run. Al created a sanctuary for manufacturers, dealers and enthusiasts alike. We all owe him a debt of gratitude.
Joe Cohen
The Lotus Group
Al was one of the good guys, that's for sure.
He and Marjorie went out of their way to ensure that RMAF was a great experience for everyone. I'll never forget the year the elevators at the Marriot trapped me for almost an hour, Al had a few choice words with the hotel management after that to make sure the the elevators didn't malfunction again. Al, Marjorie and I got some good joke fodder from that incident for quite a while.
He was always a joy to see at the other shows around the US as well, I missed him this year at CES when he stopped by our room, but my room partner said that he looked great, was upbeat and happy (as always) and he looked forward to seeing us at RMAF.
The high end audio industry has suffered a big loss, indeed.
My condolences and best wishes to Marjorie and the rest of his family during this trying time.
Peace,
Lee
There was nothing about him that wasn't first rank.
I just can't wrap my head around it.
I hope Marjorie knows there's an army at her beck and call.
I was shocked when I heard the news. My thoughts and prays go out to Marjorie and the family. And I'm grateful that Al's lecagy will live on with RMAF.
-Rod
I attended my first RMAF this past fall.Despite the gloomy weather outside, the show was full of friendly,welcoming people.I had a great time.I think the the RMAF stands as a testament to the memory of this wonderful person.
enjoy,
mark
Our first appearance at RMAF came about only because of Al & Majorie's kindness in finding us a space there.
I'm sure that everyone who attended that show observed the special care that Al & Majorie lavished on every person they came in contact with.
He was a rare gentleman. My deepest sympathies to the Stiefel family.
Jeff
in this hobby and profession. I had the pleasure of working with him closely this year before and during RMAF. He was free of the snobbery that so often accompanies audiophilia, and yet he was at the very top.Al and his wife Marjorie took my girlfriend and me to lunch to discuss RMAF publicity last summer - now that becomes a more important memory. And he GAVE me some speaker cables which I now use in my studio system - that's the kind of guy he was. Generous, gracious, and dedicated, unflustered by the crazy workings of running the best audio show in North America.
I just found out today and saw this post. We've lost a great guy; who can fill his shoes? Our best to Marjorie.
Pete I
Denver
Edits: 01/28/09
Al was indeed a VERY special and enthusiastic man in MANY ways. His countless hours of hard work and love towards this industry were truly a blessing for us all. The RMAF was one of my favorite shows, and it is because of Al's kindness and giving that tens of thousands of music lovers were able to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
G-d bless Al, he will be missed by many people.
Enjoy the Music,
Steven R. Rochlin
What a shock. Like others, I had just seen Al at CES. Al's energy and enthusiasm were infectious, his open, cheerful attitude an inspiration. It's easy to see that RMAF must go on, that he would want it that way.
Here's to you, Al. We're all the better for making your acquaintance. God bless. My condolences to his wife and family.
Brian Walsh
Sad news, and a shock, indeed. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
æIf the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.
Al passed away quite suddenly and unexpecedly yesterday.
I spent some time on the phone with Marjorie very early this morning. Last RMAF Al asked if I would serve as an advisor to the show and then we included Joe from Nordost and Roy Gregory. Al, Roy, Joe and I were able to have a really great planning meeting during CES.
During my chat this morning (with tears and laughter) with Marjorie it was a foregone conclusion that Al would not want RMAF to stop and as we talked it was really apparent that everything was in place. I talked with Joe this morning and the show really can and should go on. I also just got a call back from Roy Gregory and he is absolutely supportive. The hotel staff knows the drill. The logistics company is the same and really supportive. The Colorado Audio Society has always been there. The exhibitors are familiar with the event and venue.
I am still in shock that Al is gone.
God Speed my friend.
> I am still in shock that Al is gone.
Me too, Ray. I was talking about our RMAF plans with him at CES, just
over 2 weeks ago and Al was as he always seemed, larger than life,
passionate, a source of energy and inspiration.
I am glad that Marjorie will continue RMAF. The Show will be Al's
memorial.
John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
On that note, let's all make sure that we make this RMAF show the best we can.
If we all create a letter, a PDF, or just a simple email, and send it to anyone in the music industry (studios, colleges, musicians, radio stations...) in advance of the show, I'm confident we could increase attendance and interest dramatically.
Al was always looking for ways to do this- he wanted the RMAF and our industry to grow, and I'm sure if everyone worked together we could make this a show he would be proud of.
Al will most definitely be missed- He will be with us for every show.
> Al will most definitely be missed- He will be with us for every show.
I have just published a remembrance by Jason Serinus, who benefited
from Marjorie's and Al's hospitality last year.
John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile
Thank you, John, and please extend my thanks to Jason for the fine article. From speaking with Al I knew he had lived in Chicago and had a lot of good memories, but the article fills in the rest.
Darn, I'm gonna miss him.
Brian Walsh
I'm in.
Peace,
Lee
"On that note, let's all make sure that we make this RMAF show the best we can.
If we all create a letter, a PDF, or just a simple email, and send it to anyone in the music industry (studios, colleges, musicians, radio stations...) in advance of the show, I'm confident we could increase attendance and interest dramatically."
I never knew Al Stiefel but out of interest and respect managed to bring up a picture via Google image search.
Also found the following text which I found interesting as the time would probably be about right considering his age, and was wondering if his athletic achievements were widely known of, if of course this was the same guy?
"Al Stiefel finished second three straight years in the CCIW championship (1964-66) and third in 1967. In 1965, Stiefel finished 59th at the NCAA College Division Cross Country Championship. In 1967, he finished 19th at the NCAA championship and was later named an NAIA All-American with an eighth-place finish at the NAIA Cross Country Championship.."
Best Regards,
Chris redmond.
This is really sad to hear, and our heartfelt sympathy to his family. Al had come by our room at The Show to talk about doing a Computer Audio Workshop for the next RMAF, and I remember so clearly our conversation. He always had a smile on his face and always found the time to talk to you. He will indeed be missed.Vincent R Sanders
John Hughes
VRS Audio Solutions
Edits: 01/28/09 01/28/09 01/28/09 01/28/09
great supporters of the industry. Will be remembered for always having a smile while tirelessly working for the betterment of community. Will be missed by one and all. Margorie is in our thoughts and has our most sincere condolences...
Dave Clark
Wow, what a shock. I was just thinking about running in to him at CES a few weeks ago, and chatting with him about how he had made RMAF such a great show. My condolences to his family.
Posted by Retipper (M) on January 28, 2009 at 17:33:57
What has been said is truly accurate, and well earned. We sat together and had lunch, just the two of us, at THE show. Marjorie joined us later, we all had many laughs over lunch.....I feel blessed hat I had some time with him, to discuss many things.....
Al has always showed extreme kindness and consideration to me and my staff, and dedication to the passion of audio. How we will miss him.......
Peter Ledermann/Craig Dick/Glen Johnson/Ralph Bagge
Soundsmith Corp.
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