You are in our hearts, Melody, Colin and Ian.
Steve was a lovely man and we are so grateful to have recently seen you both, Melody.

With love,
Bill & Shelli Staffieri

Jerry and I are saddened to hear of Steve's passing. We were neighbors and friends of Melody and Steve in Silver Spring many years ago. We remember them fondly. Besides friendship, we particularly remember how Steve generously shared his carpentry skills in helping us with several outdoor projects. He was very talented!
We send our sincere condolences to Melody, Colin, Ian and all the family. 
Mary Jo and Jerry McNamara

I am so sorry to miss this and extremely saddened by his death.  Steve was my mentor at the Physical Disabilities Branch at NIH.  This was the best period in my life professionally and an extremely fulfilling experience, basically driven by Steve.  His insistence to find impact and meaning behind research has been a hallmark of my approach since I trained with him.  Moreover, he was just as supportive in my (at that time) growing family and fully appreciated both work and family life.

Melody, Colin and Ian,
I’m deeply sorry for your loss. Steven was a special person who influenced so many lives. I had the privilege of studying under Steven’s lab for ~5 years as a PhD student at University of Delaware. What Steven taught me has made a lasting impact that I try to pass on to my students today. I have so many fond memories of Steven, and one of my favorites is when Steven visited Nebraska when I was a faculty member there. Steven met his academic grandchildren (my students) for the first time, and my students were in awe because they had only heard legendary stories up to that point. Steven had an incredible gift of connecting with students through his unbounded enthusiasm for science. It was the highlight of my career seeing Steven engage with my students for almost 2 hours (and we almost made him late for his return flight!). This is the picture from his visit in 2016. I’ve recently spoken to several students shown in this picture, and they’ve told me that Steven’s visit had a lasting impact on how they approach science. They still remember his visit as if it was yesterday. This shows that Steven’s legacy will continue to live on for many years and generations. I am forever grateful that Steven was my mentor, and I pledge to do my very best to honor him by mentoring the next generation of scientists.
With love.
Kota Takahashi – Steven’s former PhD student

To  Steven's family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Steven was a wonderful person and will be missed by all who loved and admired him, including his work family and colleagues.
I had the pleasure of working with Steven in the PDB at NIH for a number of years before his retirement and move to UD.  Steven had an huge impact on the lives and careers of many people, including me. He hired to work in his lab thereby jumpstarting my career in research. He was my primary mentor during his time at NIH and I will be forever grateful to him for his trust, support and mentorship.   He will be missed by all who were privileged to know him.

Steven and I were delighted to host U.S. Senator Tom Carper as our guest for the evening at the INBRE Conference Dinner at the Winterthur Museum in Wilmington, DE.
I will always cherish the days we spent together, the initiatives we created, and the inspiring and sometimes even visionary conversations we had. I will miss you, Steven.
Karl V. Steiner, Vice President for Research and Creative Achievement, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

As part of the transition process, we created a video highlighting the achievements of so many of our colleagues at the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical and Community College, Wesley College, and Christiana Care Hospital - here is the opening shot.

We spent many days and hours together between 2021 and 2023, and I always enjoyed Steven partnerships, his thoughtfulness, and his entrepreneurial spirit.  The impact of the Delaware INBRE program cannot be overstated.

At the end of that conference in August 2023, I handed over the 'INBRE scepter' to Steven since he was taking over the Directorship due to my departure to Baltimore, MD.   He the perfect successor - a highly successful and inspiring leader for this statewide program.

Steven and I worked closely together on the Delaware INBRE initiative - in August 2023, we hosted some 200 of our closest friends from New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont - and Delaware for a major conference.   This image shows the Directors of the respective NIH-supported INBRE programs from these five states.

Steven was always there anytime I needed to brainstorm, vent or pitch an idea.  Always. He never forgot, he never missed a meeting, and was always over prepared. 
Although I was not in his dept, never collaborated on projects and was in a completely different wing of rehab research, he always had an insightful comment or question. 
Lastly I learned how to push back and through barriers with a smile. 
I picture Steven, whichever astroplane he lands in, talking someone ear off about the detailed specifics of some biomechanics idea that will change everything!! I am saddened yet smiling at how Steven lived.  My family sends love and hugs to his.

Steven once gave me a "pearl of wisdom" written on a Post It note that helped me get through a particularly tough time. It meant a great deal to me then and still does to this day. I still have that hand written note beside my desk reminding me of his encouragement and support. Gone but absolutely never forgotten.

Dear Melody, 
The information about Steven’s illness and next passing is difficult to comprehence.  It is difficult to understand the ways of life. Not such a long time ago we had celebrated his retirement. Unfortunately he did not have a lot of time to enjoy it with his family and friends.  Steven was an incredible human being on personal and professional level. He touched deeply lives of everybody who had met him. He will be missed dearly as a distinguished scientist, as a mentor and as a friend. He had organized many successful interdisciplinary research teams in varies institutions.  I was lucky and honored to work with him for some time at NIH including at the Physical Disabilities Branch that had been formed by him.  His creativity and leadership skills helped us to pursue our scientific interests and to mentor young researchers.  
Melody, Colin and Ian I am deeply sorry for your loss. 
I will keep Steven in my memory as a person full of life, joy and wit. 
Maria Lebiedowska

I first met Steven back in 2006, when as a young doctor from POLAND I was invited to NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, to deliver a lecture as a guest speaker. It barely dawned on me at the time that as an aspiring academic I just happened to cross over into the Great World of Science, and was personally welcomed there by Steven, then a Director of Physical Disabilities Branch, NIH. 

He immediately struck me as a very broad-minded individual, high-spirited, outgoing, known for his true willingness to assist everyone with everything and beyond. My own brief stay at the NIH soon proved a powerful stimulus to me for mapping out my own career path, very much in the vein of whatever Steven then highlighted to me as the true milestones when pursuing any hands-on science.

Even though we only stayed in close touch by e-mail afterwards, his brilliant academic output had always been true inspiration to me throughout. As I look back now, trying to reconcile myself with his passing away, I somehow cannot help the feeling that Steven was one of those very few persons one may run into in a lifetime who had the gift of setting things in motion and keeping them moving…

Dear Melody and Family,

I am so sorry to hear of Steven's passing.  I didn't realize he had been fighting these health battles. With the loving support of friends and family, may your memories help to sustain you through these difficult times. 

with sympathy,

Irene Davis
Professor Emerita, Dept of Physical Therapy
University of Delaware

I only knew Steven for a very short time, but it was immediately evident that he was very generous and kind, dedicating his time and his knowledge to making a difference in so many people's lives. His love for his wife and his children was obvious in every conversation we had.  Sending prayers for comfort to all who loved Steven, and a warm hug to his amazing wife melody.

We mourn the profound loss of Dr. Steven Stanhope, whose leadership as the Delaware INBRE PI deeply impacted Wesley College's STEM community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Steven's swift and decisive guidance transitioned our faculty and students to remote instruction within 48 hours, addressing issues of economic equity, increased family responsibilities, and psychological stress. His influence was pivotal in helping us navigate the crisis and rethink the alignment of jobs and skills in a changing world.

Steven was more than a leader; he was a mentor, a supporter, and a friend. His ability to see potential in every student, staff and faculty member, and his dedication to nurturing that potential made him a beloved figure in our community. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the careers he helped shape, and the spirit of resilience and innovation he instilled in us all.

We will miss Steven's wisdom, kindness, and unwavering commitment to excellence. His memory will continue to inspire us as we carry forward the work he was so passionate about. Thank you, Steven, for everything you have done for Wesley College's STEM community. Your impact will be felt for generations to come.

Dear Melody,

I am Frank Buczek's wife - Frank unfortunately passed 3 years ago from Frontotemporal Degeneration, so I understand what you and the children will be undertaking - it is a difficult journey but slowly you will remember more frequently all the wonderful memories.

Steven was an amazing friend of Frank, not only at NIH, but through all the subsequent years. He helped Frank professionally and personally and was always there for him. I remember his kindness, specifically when he attended our wedding, visiting also in Clearwater, FL - trying to fish in the Gulf with Frank (who got terribly sea sick, but Steven just laughed about their adventure). Steven was a marvelous, genuine and generous friend. He touched so many lives. 

I feel honored to have known him. I send hugs and peace.
Yvonne Hoogland

Dear Melody, Colin, and Ian,
The news of Steven's death saddened me greatly. Steven was a truly special person, with great competence and scientific rigor but also with a great ability to understand and empathize with the people around him. I learned a lot from him and I always greatly appreciated his advice since our first meeting in Bethesda in 1989. I will leave aside my work history with him, which was also very fruitful and important. Steven was not only a work partner for me but, above all, a great friend. Instead, I remember the pleasure of his visits to Florence and Orvieto and the warm welcome I received in your home in the United States. In particular, I remember the excitement of our sons Pietro and Giovanni in the days before his arrival. Steven always brought with him “incredible” (in the eyes of the children) surprises and knew how to listen to them and play with them seriously.
In recent years we have lost touch with each other but Steven has always been present in my memories.
Assunta, Pietro, and Giovanni join me in offering you our deepest condolences and in reminding you that our homes are always open to all of you.

Tom and I were privileged to know you and have many fond memories of spending time with you and Mel. R.I.P Steven, the hard work is over and thousands have benefited from your wonderful talents. Much love, Kath and Tom

OBITUARY

Dr. Steven John Stanhope MA., Ph.D.

20 May, 1958 – 2 August, 2024

Witzke Funeral Homes Inc.

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