Rye Country Day School mourns the loss of beloved former teacher and Upper School administrator Steve Balser whose dedication to RCDS meant so much to our community. Mr. Balser passed away on September 18 at Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut.

Mr. Balser joined RCDS as Upper School Principal in 1996 and later served as Director of Studies, a dean, and a humanities teacher. He also coached Cross Country. After his retirement, Mr. Balser continued to substitute teach at RCDS and was a fixture at Rye Country Day Reunions and alumni events. His arrival at any event was greeted with smiles, hugs, and the retelling of numerous fond memories.

Stephen Balser was born in 1945 in New York City. He spent seventh grade at Rye Country Day School and then attended Wilbraham Academy. Mr. Balser received a BA in History from Syracuse University, a Master's Degree in History from Wesleyan University, and a Master's Degree in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.

An impassioned educator, Mr. Balser loved his extensive career at independent schools. He taught at Hoosac School, Baltimore Friends School, and Cheshire Academy, where he became the Director of Studies there. His nineteen years at Rye Country Day School represented the final chapter of his full-time career (he was a cherished teacher and administrator at the School from 1996 until his retirement in 2015). His boundless love of teaching continued post-retirement, as he substituted at Greens Farms Academy and RCDS. In retirement, he also volunteered at the Yale Center for British Art, the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion, and the Pequot Library.

Mr. Balser was a devoted husband to his wife Ginny, who was also actively involved and well-loved in the RCDS community. He was an adoring father to his two children, Eli Balser (Allie), and Annie Legge (David) and their children, Abraham and Ruthie Rose Balser and Jack and Eliza Legge. He was also a loving stepfather to Lucy Terzis ('Ilaheva Tua'one), Panayiotis Terzis (Marie Oh) and Stavritsa Terzis, and grandpa to Lucy and Tola.

Rye Country Day will forever remember Mr. Balser’s incredible contributions to our community, his wild curiosity, his love of history, and his caring commitment to his students and colleagues. His passion for the humanities and the art of teaching and learning will live on in our hearts.

At Mr. Balser’s explicit wish, there will be no services. Read Stephen Balser’s full remembrance online here.