Dr William H Stemper, Jr, PhD, 61, New Smyrna Beach FL died Sunday, November 2, 2008. Bill was born in Orlando, FL and was raised in Central Florida. Dr Stemper was a well accomplished scholar. He received his BA in History from Stetson University (DeLand, FL), Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary (New York City) and Doctorate of Philosophy from University of Oxford (England). He was a Fellow, The Royal Society of Arts, London with a Coat of Arms granted by the Royal College of Arms from the Crown of England. He was a teacher and lecturer at New York University Graduate School of Business, General Theological Seminary and Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University, Bryant College, Rhode Island, University of Oxford and Shrewsbury Schools, Shrewsbury, England.
Locally, De Stemper was a consultant to Volusia County Historic Archives and Sites. He served as CEO of The Corporate Forum of New York, Executive Secretary General of Grottoes of North America, Bishop’s Vicar for Corporate Affairs of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.
Dr Stemper published three books, Crafted Links (2001) Path to Babylon (2002), Minerva’s Children and the Triumph of the Jeffersonian God (2003) along with numerous papers and articles on fraternities, primarily Masonic, and their effect on American life and politics. Dr Stemper was General Grand Chaplin, General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons International, Honorary Imperial Chaplin, Shrine of North America (AAONMS).
Dr Stemper organized and instructed academic seminar for graduate and research students, “Personal and Public Issues in Corporate Ethics,” and the Graduate School of Business Administration, New York University, Union Theological Seminary, General Theological Seminary, and the doctoral program at New York University in Religious Education.
He is survived by one sister Marti Springstead of Woodland Park, Colorado.
A memorial service will be 2:00 PM Monday, December 8 at St Peter the Fisherman Episcopal Church Saxon Drive New Smyrna Beach Florida. Committal services will be at Oaklawn Memorial Park Cemetery Sanford.
You were an accomplished man. I know you are resting in peace. I had not seen you in many years, but remember you from Seminole and the Class of 65.
Fondly,
Diane Powell Groover
I wil always remember with great fondness this gifted, creative, and charismatic man
(The Rev.) Dr. Rayner W. Hesse, Jr.
Hartsdale, New York