Richard Henry Stien

Richard (Dick) Henry Stien, age 79, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2024. Born on January 20, 1945 in Chicago, IL, he was preceded in death by his parents, Hannah and Henry Stien, his sister, Stephanie Stien, and his best 4-legged friend Vinnie, a West Highland Terrier he often included in his paintings. Dick is survived by his wife of 13 years, Elizabeth (Liz) Rose, his cousins Don Stien (wife Pat) and Judy Rovno (husband Michael), brother-in-law John Rose (wife Carol), and many, many friends. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Dick was known for his artistic talents, particularly as a gifted painter whose work was admired by many. He applied his talent as a professor of painting and drawing at Grand Rapids Junior College. As an admired and respected educator, he established a great rapport with his colleagues and students, many of whom remained connected with him over the years. Dick retired from Grand Rapids Community College (formerly GRJC) in 1999. He then spent several years living in California, eventually returning to Grand Rapids for the warmer seasonal months, and winter months in Naples, Florida.

Dick's paintings and artistic legacy will continue to be enjoyed by his many fans and friends for years to come. His artworks have been exhibited in numerous competitive and solo exhibitions where he received critical acclaim, and are part of permanent collections around the world including those of the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Community College, and Grand Rapids Public Library's History Center.

He was known for his humor, his warmth and the ease with which he made and retained friendships. Wherever he went he had the amazing ability to build new ones that lasted for decades. Dick loved traveling with friends to beautiful locations in Europe, the Mediterranean, the United States, Mexico and South America.  Wherever he went he enjoyed learning about culture, history, and the arts of these regions. He sketched and painted watercolors that eventually became inspiration for the larger artworks he produced. He always managed to capture the essence of the locations he visited with details, design elements, and colors that he observed.  These elements formed his fondest visual memories, while his most cherished memories were made with friends along the way.

Dick loved a good joke and repeated his favorites. In his younger years he enjoyed Tuesday folk dancing on Calder Plaza, antiquing in Lowell, swimming in Saugatuck, and leading architectural tours of Chicago. He would invite friends for Saturday breakfasts with his Mom and sister, enjoyed spending time with families of friends, taking drives in his orange VW convertible bug, breaking into song expecting you to know the words to join in the fun, and sharing his home for naps after his delicious Thanksgiving dinners. He looked forward to summer gardening and fragrant, fresh cut flowers to brighten his home surroundings.

Dick's favorite movie was Maytime, though any of those starring Jeanette MacDonald, Deanna Durban, or produced by Busby Berkeley, he'd tell you were a must-see. The more musical, the better! But let's not forget his love for opera, often playing arias for students in his painting and drawing classes to serve as inspiration.

Dick was a teacher at heart, and a best friend for life. 

Richard Henry Stien was cremated, per his request, and will be buried with his family in Iowa. 

Please join us for a Celebration of the Art and Life of Dick Stien, on May 3, 2025. There will be a chance to share memories in conversation with his fellow friends, listen to stories about his life, experience an exclusive display of his artwork both for viewing and for sale, and indulge in food catered by his favorite restaurant, Amore Trattoria Italiana. 

The celebration will be from 11am-3pm in the 4th Floor GRCC Gallery in the Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall at Grand Rapids Community College, 143 Bostwick Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.  Words and Stories will be shared from 1-2pm.  Parking will be available in the GR Community College Ransom Ramp A, 143 Ransom Ave NE. Park on the top floor and take the covered walkway across to Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, in the Bostwick building. The gallery is straight ahead. Street parking available too.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to one of Dick’s favorite charities: Opera Grand Rapids, or Westie Rescue Michigan Inc. An education scholarship fund is also being established to benefit students of art at Grand Rapids Community College. The Richard H Stien Art Scholarship Fund will be available for contributions in the coming months. Proceeds from all Celebration art sales will benefit this Scholarship.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Henry Stien, please visit our floral store.