Ralph Stephen Soule (Steve) of Riverside, Connecticut, beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and colleague passed away peacefully on February 28, just a few weeks short of his 81st birthday. Steve will always be remembered for his generous spirit, his ability to connect with people and build community, and the love and friendship he was always ready to share with others.
Steve was born in 1945 in Portland, Maine, and grew up in the Chicago suburb of La Grange Park, Illinois. He graduated from Lake Forest Academy in 1963, and from Amherst College in 1967. He married Sandy Wolf Soule right after graduation, embarking on a lifetime partnership together. He started his business career that same year, and opened his own company, SB&W, in 1983, a pioneer in developing trade with China.
Steve’s greatest strength was the depth and breadth of his relationships with family, friends, and business colleagues. He loved meeting people, getting to know them, enjoyed many wonderful dinners and developed countless deep friendships here in the U.S. and in China. The Riverside home he shared with Sandy is known as Camp Soule, welcoming many overnight guests and host to innumerable parties.
He is survived by his wife Sandy, his son Jeff, his daughter Hilary, son-in-law Dave Shea, and grand-children Zach, Ellie, and Max Shea. As said in the Jewish tradition, his memory is truly a blessing.
In his memory, gifts to either Greenwich Reform Synagogue (www.grs.org) or Jewish Family Services of Greenwich (www.jfsgreenwich.org) are gratefully accepted.