RIP Al Stiefel

bpape · « **on:** 28 Jan 2009, 10:43 pm »

Just got this email:
****************************************

Bryan Pape

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

Wayne1 · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Jan 2009, 10:46 pm »

I just received that, as well.

What A SHOCK!

I just had some dealings with Al a couple of weeks ago. He looked fine.

RIP, AL.

sbrtoy · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Jan 2009, 10:50 pm »

Just got that as well, very sudden news....I know many people are in his debt for his work with RMAF, best wishes to his family and friends.

BPT · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 Jan 2009, 11:10 pm »

We will miss you Al.
Chris H.

cryoparts · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Jan 2009, 11:13 pm »

Wow, that is horrible. Al was one of the good guys, that's for sure. My best to Marjorie and the rest of his family.

Peace,

Lee

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Jan 2009, 11:20 pm »

Sad news....sorry to hear this...my condolences to his family.

Al Stiefel.....Red Rock Audio and RMAF organizer.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Jan 2009, 11:36 pm »

I just got mine too.

My business connections with Al were that I provided speakers for the Red Rock room in 2007, and have had many discussions with Al over the past few years that ranged from small assistances in their speakers, that they built for last years show, to selling them Sonicap Platinums for their amps. The working relationship was such that we recognized one others voice if he or I called the other.

I thought of him as a friend.

So I know that Al was one of the good ones. Not only a fair and honest guy that people loved, but a guy that did great things for our industry. He and Marjorie have done a wonderful job of making the RMAF the best show in the country.

My heart goes out to his family.

Al will be missed but remembered always.

mgalusha · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 Jan 2009, 12:01 am »

We will miss you Al, one of the nicest folks I've met in the audio world. Totally shocking and very sad.

osageaudioproducts · « **Reply #8 on:** 29 Jan 2009, 12:05 am »

I just got the email a little while ago as well. I just talked to Al yesterday morning.

He was a real prince and went out of his way to look after the "little guys" like me. His dedication to and enthusiasm for the hobby is irreplaceable and will be sorely missed.

Jim Pendleton
Osage Audio Products, LLC

iGrant · « **Reply #9 on:** 29 Jan 2009, 12:56 am »

Very sad news. Al and Marjorie helped us a lot getting set up for our first show at RMAF last year. My best wishes for his family and as they say, the show must go on. Thank you Marjorie.

Ian

JAMn Joe · « **Reply #10 on:** 29 Jan 2009, 01:00 am »

Al you will be missed, you were one of the true supporters of audio. Marjorie, my sincerest condolences for your loss.

BradJudy · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 Jan 2009, 01:36 am »

Wow - definitely sad news. I met Al a couple of times at the RMAF, definitely a nice guy and a great loss.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Jan 2009, 07:04 am »

does anyone know what happened? he certainly seemed in fine form at CES....

Mike Dzurko · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 Jan 2009, 12:50 pm »

I too saw the email last night. Rather stunned I guess. Al was a good guy who was always very helpful and friendly in my contacts. He was patient as we went through various options, etc. Just a really pleasant man. My condolences to Marjorie and the rest of his family.

osageaudioproducts · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 Jan 2009, 02:10 pm »

By the way Lonewolfny42, thanks for being so thoughtful as to post the photo. Of all the photos that we've taken at RMAF, I don't have one of Al. I hope that you don't mind that I've kept a copy of yours.

Jim Pendleton
Osage Audio Products, LLC

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 Jan 2009, 02:21 pm »

I also spoke with Al at CES - he visited our room. He looked great and seemed so full of energy and already
gearing up for RMAF 09. So that email came as a big shock. Al was the backbone of RMAF and I've only had
very pleasant dealings with him. He will be missed, but certainly not forgotten. He built a solid foundation
for RMAF - one that I know will keep it going strong for many years to come!

My sincere condolences to his family,

Vinnie

macrojack · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 Jan 2009, 03:41 pm »

I've never attended RMAF but I did meet Al briefly at Chris Brady's house. Does anyone know any obit info like, age or cause of death? It sounds like no one saw this coming which makes it that much sadder.
How about a name change to Rocky Mountain Al Fest?

osageaudioproducts · « **Reply #17 on:** 29 Jan 2009, 09:19 pm »

macrojack,

Al was 66 last November. I'm not sure that an obituary would detail the cause of death. They don't seem to do that much anymore. I would venture to guess that, outside an accident, the most likely causes would be heart attack or stroke.

At any rate, Al's gone and he will be missed by a lot of people.

Jim Pendleton
Osage Audio Products, LLC

osageaudioproducts · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 Jan 2009, 09:20 pm »

macrojack,

Al was 66 last November. I'm not sure that an obituary would detail the cause of death. They don't seem to do that much anymore. I would venture to guess that, outside an accident, the most likely causes would be heart attack or stroke.

At any rate, Al's gone and he will be missed by a lot of people.

Jim Pendleton
Osage Audio Products, LLC

enjoythemusic · « **Reply #19 on:** 2 Feb 2009, 04:47 pm »

This is indeed truly sad news. have met him quite a few times at various shows and he was a great asset to us music lovers. He will be missed