Steve Travis

Steve Travis, age 88, loving and very loved father and grandfather, passed away on July 11, 2018. Steve was known for his independent and entrepreneurial spirit, his intellectual curiosity and life-long learning, and his love for his children.

Steve was born in Mayville, North Dakota, on June 21, 1930 to his very loving parents, Oscar and Mildred Stusrud. After growing up in Mayville, he moved to Chicago, where he attended college. He received his Bachelor in Science from the Illinois Institute of Technology with a major in Chemical Engineering in 1951, and then went on to earn an M.B.A. from the University of Colorado (1956). However, he soon decided to focus entirely on his true passion of theatre, earning an M.F.A. from the University of Texas (1958) and a Ph.D. from the University of Denver (1963) in that field.

Steve began teaching and directing theatre at the Tulsa Little Theatre, and then the University of Rhode Island, where he met his future wife and mother of their three children, Susan Hoadley. Sue and Steve moved to Williamstown, Massachusetts in 1968, where Steve taught and directed plays as an assistant professor at Williams College. In 1976, the family came to Albuquerque, where Steve served as a professor of theatre at the University of New Mexico, continuing his passion for teaching and directing for many years. Throughout his theatre career, reviews of Steve’s productions praised them as “marvelous”, “exceptionally polished”, “not to be missed”, “brilliantly directed” “a delight, a wonder, and a joy.” and many of his students went on to successful careers in theatre and film.

Steve returned to his interest in business with work in real estate and property management, forming Travis, Pfau & Associates with his good friend Jim Pfau. Following Jim’s death, Steve and his dear friend Connie Schoenfelder maintained the business until he was 86 years old. Steve loved interacting with tenants and owners, and was known to be fair and kindhearted. His wit and intelligence remained brilliant throughout his life. He enjoyed traveling, camping and spending time in the mountains, gardening, bridge, the New York Times crossword puzzles and Sudoku, reading voraciously, watching sports of any kind, and spending time with his loving family.

Steve is survived by, and is tremendously missed by, his three children, Jennifer Snitchler, Jocelyn Travis de Grandpre and Christopher Michael Travis, along with nine grandchildren: Brendan, Jessica, Alexander, Christopher, Joseph, Aidan, Owen, William and Walker. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.