Stephen Karl Halpert

PORTLAND – Stephen Karl Halpert, 91, died from complications of pancreatic cancer on July 13, 2024. He was born on May 24, 1933 in Waterbury Conn. The son of the late Harold Karl Halpert and Florence Pearl Weinstein, he moved to Portland in 1936, where he lived the rest of his life.

Steve is survived by his wife of 68 years, Judith Ann Venner; sister, Joanna Kraus of Irvine, Calif.; children Karl (Claudette) of Taos, N.M./Naples, Gretchen (Ron Faris) of Portland, Kate Lowry of Falmouth and Jacob (Stacy Mitchell) of Portland; grandchildren Micah, Eli, Rita, Grey and Rhys; and great-grandchildren Ryan, Kassidy, Max, and EJ. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews; cousins; and dear friends.

Steve enjoyed childhood summers at Camp Brunonia in Casco and at Brandy Pond in Naples where the family continues to spend summers together. Steve was captain of the Deering High School track team, where he excelled in sprints and hurdles, graduating in 1951. He graduated from Brown University in 1955 with a B.A. in English. He also ran a film program at Brown, beginning a lifelong passion for cinema. He continued his studies at Harvard, where he earned his M.A.

He served in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Loring Air Force Base in Limestone and Magong, Taiwan. After his service, Steve and Judy moved with two small children to Rome, Italy where Steve worked on his writing. They returned to Portland where Steve taught at Deering High School for several years and as a reporter for the Portland Press Herald.

He taught full-time at Westbrook Junior College (UNE) for over 50 years as Chair of the English Department. He also taught at Portland School of Art (MECA&D) for many years, and the University of Maine.

At Westbrook (UNE) he began showing photographs at Alexander Hall, featuring local and notable photographers. His relationships to the photographers led to one of the finest photo collections in New England. In 2016, the Stephen K Halpert Photography Collection was formed in the UNE Art Gallery. He curated three ambitious photography exhibitions in the past year at the age of 90.

In 1979, Steve and Judy acquired The Movies on Exchange, where they ran art and repertory films until 2009. They also owned and ran the Custom Shop, a custom drapery business founded in 1935 by the Halpert family.

He was active in many organizations, including serving as president of the NAACP and the Baxter Society; the Torch Club, Jazz at the Movies, and in book clubs. He was trustee of the Tidebrook estate in Freeport. He also coached Little League.

He lived a life of kindness to others, intellectual integrity, and devotion to family. His passions included jazz, movies, and baseball, particularly the Detroit Tigers. When he was diagnosed only a few weeks ago, Steve quoted from Hemingway: “The world is a fine place … and I hate very much to leave it.”

The Halperts would like to thank the staff at Maine Medical Center who provided compassionate care during a difficult time.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 16 at the Temple Beth El, 400 Deering Ave., Portland

Arrangements are with Jones, Rich, & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com