I learned last night that longtime head of the WVLC Film Services division, Steve Fesenmaier, passed away last Friday, from complications after major surgery. Steve had been an ardent supporter of mine and my work here in the blog and with Radio Free Charleston, and was always a great friend. He could spot me a quarter-mile away and I’d hear him bark out, “PANUCCI!” Then I’d have to wait around to see what direction he was coming from.
It wasn’t just me. Steve was supportive of all West Virginia filmmakers, writers and creative people, and in a more sane and logical world, he would’ve been the state’s commissioner of culture and history. There are few people who were stronger advocates for creative people in West Virginia.
I couldn’t let his passing go without comment and I send my condolences to his loving wife, Frani. Steve was well aware of the fact that I hate writing obituaries, and since he had the foresight to write his own obituary (which I am swiping from the Barlow Bonsall website), I’m going to give Steve something he deserves, the last word…
Steve was born on December 1, 1949 in Minneapolis, Minnesota in Fairview hospital on the West Bank of Minneapolis. He attended three different high schools in Minneapolis, graduating from Richfield. He worked as a certified highway technician at the Minnesota highway department from June 1967 until November 1971. He then attended the University of Minnesota from January, 1968 until his graduation in June,1971 with a magna cum laude degree in Philosophy of Science, studying under Professor Herbert Feigl, the last living member of the Vienna Circle and a friend of Albert Einstein. Feigl founded the world’s first Center for the Philosophy of Science in 1959, the Minnesota center, which exists now, publishing the most important books in the field. While studying philosophy, Steve was elected President of the Honors Student Council where he was active in publishing poetry, programming events, including a night with the President of the University and a film event against the Vietnam War. He worked half-time at the University Student Health Service, the largest such service in the world.
While a junior in college, he took a course from the most famous anti-Vietnam War activist, Marv Davidov, called “ Revolutionary Non-violence.” This inspired Steve to drive with friends to Washington, DC to protest the war in spring of 1970. He participated in local anti-war protests. He was eventually drafted but released due to his asthma and anti-war attitudes. His father denied him financial support for his senior year in college, but he received an Honors Division scholarship which replaced the funds. Steve also promised to teach two honors seminars in philosophy which he did in the fall of 1970 and spring of 1971.
In 1972, after returning to the University and traveling to Europe, Mexico and living in Phoenix and Fresno, California, Steve was appointed to the faculty-student long-range task force. While serving on the task force, he was chairman of the “ student in society” section. He proposed a rule that would require all graduate students be told about professional jobs in their respective fields. This rule has been enforced in all graduate programs.
After declining graduate education at McMaster University in Canada, Steve returned to the U of M, majoring in undergraduate studies in nursing and graduate studies in philosophy. He eventually left both programs without completed degrees but started a career in film exhibition at the world-famous University of Minnesota Film Society with Al Milgrom. He served as Secretary treasurer and president until 1978. In 1977, after a major injury, Steve worked toward the masters of Library Science department at the U. of M. Later he would be hired by Frederic J. Glazer, Executive Director of the West Virginia Library Commission, to become Head of the WVLC’s Film Services division. He met Frani when she accepted a transfer to be his assistant. Steve and Frances were officially married on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1980. Chief Supreme Court judge Darrell McGraw Jr. presided at the Dunbar Public Library with guest filmmaker, Les Blank serving as best man, receiving the blessing of the church at a later date. He was a member of Sacred Heart Co-cathedral.
He retired from WVLC on December 1, 2009, after 31 years of service. He and Frani traveled throughout the country, visiting all parts of Minnesota, Phoenix, Arizona, and many states in the eastern US from New York to Florida, especially enjoying a trip to New Ulm, Minnesota as a member of the Young Pioneers (descendants of the original settlers). They loved to travel, experiencing many memorable events during their travels.
Steve was invited to give presentations at an alternative media conference at NYU and the “First NY Conference on Film Exhibition” held at Saratoga Springs, New York. While he served as head of Film Services, his program was honored with several national and state awards including “ best statewide 16 mm program” by the US Department of Education in 1987. In 2006, he was made a West Virginia History Hero in a ceremony at the WV Cultural Center. Also, in that year, he and Frani were honored at the Pinch Reunion with a Samaritan Award conferred by the late George Daugherty, Earl of Elkview. He was profiled on National Public Radio in 1987 for his work on John Sayles’ landmark feature film “Matewan” and many other films. He was awarded the second “lifetime achievement award” in 1987, receiving the award from William Sloan, his long-time friend and mentor who was the Director of Circulating Film at The Museum of Modern Art. He co-founded the WV Filmmaker’s Guild in 1982, West Virginia International Film Festival in 1984, and the WV Filmmaker’s Festival in 1987. He wrote film columns for the Illustrated Appalachian Intelligencer, the WV Arts News, Graffiti Magazine and a film blog for the Charleston Gazette . He hosted a cable tv program for WVLC television services for 17 years. For many years he assisted Federated Jewish Charities with programming for the Jewish Film Festival. e 15-minute program was shown on cable networks around the state. He also published an annual list of “new films on WV and Appalachia” for Goldenseal magazine from 1979 until 2005, on and off. He finished his film programming career by presenting a WV/Appalachia film series at the South Charleston museum. He served on the board of the West Virginia Labor History Association under Dr. Fred Barkey. He assisted WV public servant Ken Hechler for 5 years as a researcher from 2004 until his retirement, helping him write five books and deliver many speeches nationwide.
Steve advised many filmmakers over his 50-year career in film. He helped a Minnesota filmmaker direct “ Maggie and the men of Minnesota” and encouraged his aunt Evelyn Fesenmaier Wallace, author of And Justice for None. For a decade, he advised film producers from around the world including the BBC and 60 Minutes. In 1985, as part of the 50th anniversary of the WV State Capitol celebration, he programmed the films of native son Pare Lorentz, FDR’s filmmaker, showing special prints donated by Lorentz himself of his two best known films, “ The Plow that broke the Plains” and “ The River”. Steve became friends with Mr. Lorentz, eventually recommending that a WV group create an award in his honor by the International Documentary Association that was headed by his good friend Betsy McLane. His first WV feature film with a credit to a then non-existent film office was “ Angel City” about West Virginians becoming migrant workers in Florida. Steve was an influence in founding the first WV Film Office along with Governor Caperton after testifying to the WV Senate on the need for a full-time film office. He turned down the job twice, preferring his library job. Steve assisted world-famous cataloging librarian Sanford Berman for more than 20 years, mainly doing computer research for over 200 subject headings for the Library of Congress including “WV Mine Wars.” Mr. Berman did not use computers after his retirement in 1999.
Steve’s greatest joy was his marriage to Frani, the person he most loved and trusted during an intense career in film exhibition. Without her, he would not have been able to keep Film Services going or to do many other things in his life. They shared a deep love for West Virginia, the film and library worlds, and their several dogs and many friends. On March 17th, they would have been married 45 years.
He is survived by his devoted wife Frances, his step-daughter Rosemary (Cary) and her two sons, Samuel and Jacob, nieces and nephews, and many dear friends, brother Daniel (Julie) of Fort Myers, Florida and sister Carolyn of Spokane, Washington.
He was predeceased by his mother and father and by brothers, David, Richard and sister, Donna Marie
The family wishes to thank the staffs of CAMC Memorial Hospital and Cedar Ridge Rehabilitation Center who cared attentively to Stephen through his last illness.
There will be no funeral service. An announcement will be made for a memorial service planned for later date. He will be laid to rest in the Mt. Olivet Catholic mausoleum at Spring Hill Cemetery in Charleston, where he will eventually be joined by his wife.
In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to the Dr. Fred Barkey Education Fund of the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum, 401 Mate St. Matewan, WV. 25678. Their website, wvminewars.org also accepts donations.
I was going to start this post with a warning about extreme weather, but since it seems to be changing every five minutes or so, how about we just jump into our weekly list of STUFF TO DO in and around Charleston this weekend.
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