Stephen R. Compton

August 13, 1949 - June 26, 2015

Stephen Compton passed away at his home in Albany, CA, on June 26, after a long struggle with diabetes. Born in New York City to the late Alfred D. and Kathleen M. Compton, he is survived by his sister Elizabeth, brother James (Patricia), niece Emily Meisgeier, aunt Marian F. McNiven, and cousins Carolyn (Andy Sohn) McNiven, Georgiana (Tom) McDonald, Susan (Brian) Schmidt, Mary McNiven, Patricia McNiven (Riccardo Fontani), and Lisa McNiven.

Stephen was first diagnosed with hearing loss at age 3, and his family moved from Massachusetts to the Bay Area in 1957 partly for hearing-impaired classes offered in Vallejo and Oakland public schools. By adolescence he was profoundly deaf and relied on lip-reading and the written word. Always a voracious reader, he became at this time an active science-fiction fan as well as a lover of classic European film.

A member of the pioneering College Preparatory School class of 1967, he graduated from UC Berkeley in 1971 and the Radcliffe Publishing Program in 1972. He began his editing career with the Fairfield, CT, Media and Consumer and, after working for other Connecticut publications, returned to California and worked for many years for the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Public Information Department and later for PC World magazine. As a freelance book reviewer, he was particularly interested in science and technology, as well as Deaf issues. He also continued writing poetry, publishing as S.R. Compton, and remained active in Deaf organizations, most recently the Hearing Loss Association of America. A resident of Albany for 25 years, Stephen enjoyed its annual Solano Stroll, family days at Golden Gate Fields, and casual bistros. His family is grateful for the support provided by his neighbors.

Stephen bore the challenges of his life without complaint. He will be missed for his quiet wit, his warmth and generosity, and the persistence of his effort to communicate.

A celebration of his life will be held 11 AM Sunday, August 23, at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley, CA; friends and colleagues are invited to share recollections. Contributions may be made in his memory to Alameda County Community Food Bank.