R.I.P., Ralph Michael Stein

[Scarpia]

Those of you who participate on ClassicalMusicGuide will know of Ralph Stein, a Professor of Constitutional Law at Pace University, who was formerly a frequent participant there.   Upon visiting my facebook page, I saw an update indicating that he has died.  Ralph had been hospitalized since February, due to complications of diabetes, and recently had expressed optimism about finishing physical rehabilitation and returning to teaching.  No details on the immediate cause of death are available.

In any case, I never met him in person, but Ralph was a great soul who made a strong impact on the lives of those who knew him.   

[DavidRoss]

Sorry to hear that. He was one of the kinder, more temperate souls on that site.

[Todd]

It has been years since I frequented that forum, but from what I remember, Ralph was always a great contributor.  Sad news.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Those of you who participate on ClassicalMusicGuide will know of Ralph Stein, a Professor of Constitutional Law at Pace University, who was formerly a frequent participant there.   Upon visiting my facebook page, I saw an update indicating that he has died.  Ralph had been hospitalized since February, due to complications of diabetes, and recently had expressed optimism about finishing physical rehabilitation and returning to teaching.  No details on the immediate cause of death are available.

In any case, I never met him in person, but Ralph was a great soul who made a strong impact on the lives of those who knew him.   

Thank you so much for this. One of my oldest friends. We go back at least 10 years from various classical forums and have met on numerous occasions. Last time I tried contacting him a few months ago he replied that he would get back to me when he had more time, but I did not hear of his death until now.

[Karl Henning]

Peace be upon his soul. He was a gentle and good-hearted man.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Peace be upon his soul. He was a gentle and good-hearted man.

Indeed. I first encountered him as one of the most active and enthusiastic posters on the old Classical Insites board, back in 1998. Later when I was living in NJ & Philadelphia for a couple of years, I was able to meet him a few times. He was really an intellectually voracious guy, interested in almost everything, and good fun to be with.

[Gurn Blanston]

Thanks for that news, Scarpia. Not that I wanted to hear it.  

Ralph was a great guy and a lot of fun to post with, always something interesting to say and a nice way of saying it too. Like some others here, it has been a long time since I posted there, but Ralph was always a character who will stick in my memory.

[Scarpia]

Ralphs close friends and family are, no doubt, grieving privately, but his facebook page has been the center of tributes from his current and former students.  I can't help but notice that a disproportionate number of memorial tributes have been left by female students who are scantily clad in their profile pictures.  Apparently Prof. Stein had an appreciation of aethetics, and not just in music.

[Superhorn]

   He will be missed . My condolences to his family .

[Karl Henning]

Pace Law School Tribute to Ralph

'Pace Law School mourns the passing of Professor Ralph M. Stein. A founding member of our faculty, Professor Stein died on October 16 of complications from diabetes. Funeral arrangements are pending.

A constitutional law teacher, Professor Stein taught courses on the First Amendment as well as Remedies and legal history. His seminars included "Slavery, the Constitution, and the Civil War" and "National Security Law and the Challenge of Terrorism." Devoted to the protection of civil liberties, Professor Stein served on the legal committee of the Anti-Defamation League, and sat on the board of directors of the Lower Hudson Valley Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union.

"He loved the students more than anything. He would do anything for his students," recalled Professor Bennett Gershman, who had worked with Professor Stein since 1976, the year Pace Law School first opened its doors. "Ralph was a huge presence at the law school."

Professor Stein was instrumental in the growth of Pace Law School. Professor Jay Carlisle recalled meeting Professor Stein in February 1977 and how Professor Stein spoke so highly of Pace Law School students during his recruitment of new faculty.

"I was so impressed with him. It did have a bearing on my coming here," Professor Carlisle recalls.

Professor Stein impressed his colleagues in many ways. Upon hearing of his passing, faculty members recalled his passion for live music, his affinity for collecting books and CDs, the walking tours he would lead through New York City, and his dinners with friends.

"Ralph was one of the most energetic, dedicated, and– in some ways– opinionated man I've ever known," said Professor Merrill Sobie. "He loved teaching. He wouldn't dream of teaching a normal course load."

Professor Stein's abundant energy fueled his kindness, as well. Professor James Fishman recalled a shared love of books that found expression each year at holiday time when the two would exchange books they had chosen for one another. When Professor Stein had taken ill, Professor Fishman remembers that his colleague did not allow his confinement to disrupt their tradition. He arranged for a book to be delivered to Professor Fishman's office at Pace.

Before beginning his teaching career, Professor Stein spent time at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, & Flom. He held degrees from the New School for Social Research and Hofstra University School of Law.

Pace Law School will be holding a memorial service in the next few months.'

[flyingdutchman]

Had a feeling Ralph was sick or had died.  A lot of us here go back to CI and I remember carrying on with him and others on that site as it became a big family.  Goodness, it's been 15 years since that time.  I always remember Ralph's birthday because it was Bastille Day.