For 41 years Steve Reoutt touched the lives and enlightened the minds of the students of the California College of the Arts (CCA). He was a founding member of the San Francisco AIGA, and from 1996–2005 served on its board as the organization’s only design historian. He was made an AIGA fellow in 2001, and just this month was honored as an Emeritus Professor of Design at CCA. He passed away on May 14 of pancreatic cancer.

Through his lectures, encyclopedic knowledge and wealth of ephemera, Steve drew connections between the past and present with unique insight and inimitable humor. As we mourn his passing we celebrate his legacy and pause to give thanks for his profound and lasting influence on all of the communities he touched.

His family has requested privacy. Letters of condolence may be sent c/o

Mark Reoutt
2278 30th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94116

Please, no flowers.

The California College of the Arts has created a named scholarship in honor of Steve Reoutt. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to:

CCA/Steve Reoutt Scholarship
c/o Camille Gerstel
CCA Advancement
5212 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94601

Checks can be made out to “CCA.” Please include a note or indicate on the check that the gift is being made towards the Steve Reoutt Scholarship.

1 Comment

On 23 May 2008 @ 11:53pm, 11:53pm justin holbrook wrote:

i met steve this january (2008) upon entering cca, and took his ‘history of visual communication’ course during the spring semester. i enjoyed his insight and his sense of humor during the class, and despite knowing him only a short time, he made a big impact on me. in fact, 7 days before his passing i had received some recommendations from him about a few particular design books. i am deeply saddened by this news.