Deceased February 3, 2020
View alumni profile (log in required)
Read obituary
In Memory
Steve Coy came to Amherst from the Landon School in Bethesda, Md., and, as an English major, became well-known while participating in WAMF, Sabrina and the Masquers—the latter setting him on the path to a long career in the theater.
With the Masquers, though, Steve’s wife, Jamme, claims he found a series of small roles a good way to meet girls at the all-male college.
After Amherst, Steve was in the army for two years and became a sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. A brief job-testing at Life magazine while also doing some theater in Connecticut then led him to Yale School of Drama and a reunion with Curt Canfield, class of 1925, who had left Amherst to lead the school. After Steve earned his master’s and doctorate degrees, he began his 30-some-year college teaching career, in the midst of which he directed more than 60 plays. He began at Amherst for two years as director in residence and then mostly as department chair at Skidmore and Hampden-Sydney. There, from 1981 to 1993, he met the challenge of being the first chair of a newly formed fine arts department.
In retirement, Steve enjoyed and was honored for acting in 30 plays in the Richmond area, often with his actress wife, Jamme.
For Steve’s classmates, his Oscar-winning role was as cast member, along with Bob Carington ’53 and Tuck Caswell ’53, in The Compleat Works of Wilm Shkspr (abridged), presented so hilariously at the class’s 50th reunion.
Steve died on Feb. 3, leaving Jamme, son Stephen and brother Wayne.
George Edmonds ’53