Deceased March 5, 2022

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In Memory

Steve Menschel died in an accident on March 5, 2022. He and his wife, Ellen, had two daughters and lived in Glen Rock, N.J.

After Amherst, Steve graduated from Harvard Business School. He pursued a career in computer technology, and in 2009 he retired as vice president of data management at Goldman Sachs. Bob Shoemaker ’61and Steve lived about 10 blocks apart in Glen Rock. They both worked in the Manhattan financial district and often commuted together. Both had been physics majors at Amherst and had pursued the technically demanding side of business. Bob was for many years on the faculty of the Stern School of Business at NYU.

Steve and Philip Thatcher ’61 were roommates in the junior and senior years. “He was a good friend, a faithful Horatio when I had a Hamlet moment now and then,” said Philip. “He was an astute observer of his surroundings and whatever was going on. Not much got past him.” Steve was social chairman of Chi Phi; football manager; and a member of the Managerial Association, the sailing club and WAMF.

After graduation, Steve had little observable connection to Amherst. He attended no reunions and submitted no pieces for the 25th and 50th reunion books. But, at his death, a daughter found a letter from the College thanking him for his continued financial support. Even more, Steve had very much wished one daughter would go to Amherst, but she chose Williams.

Philip Thatcher ’61 and Bob Shoemaker ’61

Comment:

Bob Shoemaker ’61: Steve and I lived about 10 blocks apart in Glen Rock, N.J. For a long time, we both had jobs in the financial district, and we often commuted together on the trains and PATH system. I also knew Steve as a fellow major in physics. After Amherst, he graduated from the Harvard Business School.

It was always a pleasure to talk with Steve. He was very smart and talented. He had a most successful career working in the IT area for Goldman Sachs. Since retiring, I have not seen him very much.

Philip Thatcher '61: Steve and I were roommates at Chi Phi the whole of our junior and through much of our senior year. He was a good friend, a faithful Horatio when I had a Hamlet moment now and then. And he was an astute observer of his surroundings and whatever was going on. Not much got past him. We nearly connected a time or two after graduation, but it never quite happened. I am grateful for the years I knew him and will write Ellen to that effect.