Steven Zehr

Steve was born July 7th,1944 in Ft.Dodge. He attended schools in Manson and Atlantic before his family settled in Ft.Dodge. Steve was very gifted in music and studied piano with Alice Hackett for 10 years. He graduated from Ft. Dodge Senior High in 1962 and earned a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. There he majored in piano, and during the summer months attended the Aspen Music Festival in Aspen, Colorado, studying with Grant Johannesen. Steve went on to receive a Fulbright scholarship and attended the Staatliche Hochschule for Musik in Hamburg, Germany. He received numerous awards and grants in the U.S. and Europe, and then launched his career as a concert pianist, touring major European cities.

Steve later became a professor of piano at the State School of Music in Frankfort, teaching piano students on a one-to-one basis, and lecturing on ancient instruments, especially the fortepiano and the harpsichord. In addition to teaching at the state school and in his home, Steve continued to play concerts in major German cities and in neighboring countries. He became widely known in European musical circles especially for playing the fortepiano. Steve performed with the Mozart Trio of Salzburg, Austria, playing concerts in Austria, Holland, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Spain.

Steve loved his Lord and never passed up an opportunity to share the faith. He was an avid baseball fan, especially the Cubs and Braves. He also loved animals, gardening, swimming, and was a gifted linguist.

Steve is survived by his sister, Lisa Zehr Soapes, nephew Nick (Tabatha) Soapes and 4 grand nieces, niece Katie (Andres)Trujillo and 2 grand nephews, and 4 cousins: Barb Zehr (Ray)Courter, Roberta Zehr (Reg)Yoder, Cyndy Peer (Eddie) Green and Ryan Peer.

He is preceded in death by his parents, EJ (Pete) and Dorothy Zehr, his brother-in-law Dr. Tom Soapes, a niece, Natalie Soapes and cousin Rachel Peer.

There will be no funeral as Steve will be cremated and buried in Hailer Meeholz, Gelnhausen, in the woods that he loved so much.

Memorials can be sent to TTB.ORG–Thru the Bible, PO BOX 7100, Pasadena, California 91109-7100.