Roy W Stevens

GUILDERLAND - Roy W. Stevens died on July 28 at the age of 81. Born on September 4, 1934, Roy was the son of Edward M. and Bernice B. (White) Stevens. He attended Watervliet Public Schools, and went on to earn his Bachelor’s (’56) and Master's degrees (’58) in Biological Sciences from the College for Teachers at Albany (now University at Albany). Roy served ten years in the US Air Force Reserve, including one year of active duty as a second lieutenant during the Berlin Crisis in 1961. He was awarded a PhD in Medical Microbiology from Albany Medical College in 1965. Roy was a researcher in the Wadsworth Laboratories of the State Department of Health, retiring as the Director of the Laboratories for Retrovirology & Immunology, and was a principal in establishing New York State’s response to the emerging HIV crisis. He also aided other states and the Federal Centers for Disease Control, in developing HIV testing of newborns. During his tenure, Dr. Stevens was author or co-author of more than three dozen peer reviewed papers; and the compiler-editor of the two volume work, “Diagnostic Devices Manual and Directory." In addition, he served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology (1981-87) and the Clinical Immunology Newsletter (1980-83). Roy was a Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Microbiology (1971-1998) and a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (1982-1998). He was a member of a number of scientific associations including the American Society for Microbiology (Diagnostic Immunology Chairman, 1997-98) and the Association of Medical Laboratory Immunologists. Dr. Stevens also served as Adjunct Associate Professor in the Microbiology Department at Albany Medical College (1982-91) and Associate Professor in the School of Public Health, SUNY, Albany (1988-91). Throughout the seventies and eighties Roy joined his sons skiing, boating, hiking and generally appreciating upstate NY. Roy retired from Wadsworth in 1991 and launched a consulting firm. When not consulting, Roy was a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society and a volunteer tax aide for AARP. He also served as a trustee of the Bender Scientific Laboratories (1990 – 2016) and Chair of the Bender Scientific Fund of the Community Foundation. He couldn’t quite get away from Boards, even after leaving Wadsworth. In addition, he was a member of the University at Albany Library Committee, for which he served as Chair from 2003-2006. Dr. Stevens enjoyed being outdoors and especially liked being on the water. For over 40 years, he and his family sailed the waters of Lake George. He was twelve year member of the Mohawk-Hudson Sail and Power Squadron, serving as Commander in 2000. In retirement Roy returned to a long time passion - photography, a craft he was constantly perfecting. He was honored to have work exhibited in a number of regional galleries. He was especially proud to be asked by The Saratoga Arts Council and the Arts Center of the Capital Region to display his work. In 2012, he won a national award from The Engineering News Record, the journal of the construction industry. Roy was predeceased by his· wife and best friend, of nearly 60 years, Shirley (Brehm) who died May 2. He is survived by two sons; Mark G. (Lisa Close) of Palm Coast FL, and Scott D. (Coleen Burke) of Burnt Hills; grandsons Greg (Lindsey), Todd and Dan, and great-grandchildren Calvin and Claire Stevens. Also surviving is sister Nancy (James) Blasdell of Warrensburg. The family would like to express deep thanks to the staff at the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Community for their and care and compassion during a difficult time. Friends are invited to call Friday August 5, from 4-6PM at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 5216 Western Ave Guilderland. Contributions to Community Hospice 295 Valley View Boulevard, Rensselaer NY 12144.