Stephen R. Taylor, ANA past president dies
Stephen R. Taylor, past president of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), died July 1 after a battle with cancer.
“The numismatic hobby and the ANA have lost one of their greatest supporters and promoters,” says ANA Executive Director Edward C. Rochette. “Steve was a good friend and a pleasure to know. He made everyone he met feel at ease and welcome in the hobby.”
Taylor, 74, of Dover, Delaware, entered numismatics when he tried to interest his son, Stephen Jr., in coin collecting. Taylor quickly acquired a passion for the hobby, switching to paper money, where he concentrated his attentions. A prolific exhibitor, Taylor set up displays at numismatic events in more than 30 states and four Canadian provinces, winning many awards for his exhibits, including the ANA’s Howland Wood Memorial Award for Best in-Show Exhibit at the Association’s 87th Anniversary Convention in Houston in 1978.
Always eager to spread the word about numismatics, Taylor was a frequent speaker at ANA conventions and other coin shows, and frequently gave two presentations, “Paper Money of the United States as a Hobby” and “The Fun of Exhibiting,” geared to young collectors.
Taylor was elected to the ANA Board of Governors in 1981, and served as vice president from 1985-87 and president from 1987-89. During his eight-year tenure on the Board, Taylor served as chairman of the Club and District Representative Program, having already been an ANA District Delegate; and the Personnel, Museum, Insurance and Exhibits Committees.
A founder of the Kent Coin Club of Dover, Delaware, where he resided, Taylor served three terms as the organization’s president and originated its monthly newsletter. He also served as president of the Milford (Delaware) Stamp and Coin Club, Currency Club of Chester County (Pennsylvania), Maryland State Numismatic Association (MSNA), Middle Atlantic Numismatic Association (MANA) and Garden State Numismatic Association (GSNA). Taylor also served on the boards of the Society of Paper Money Collectors (SPMC), Virginia Numismatic Association (VNA) and Great Eastern Numismatic Association (GENA), as well as chairman of the International Numismatic Fellowship of Rotarians.
In addition to winning many exhibit awards, Taylor received the ANA Glenn Smedley Memorial Award in 1991 and Medal of Merit in 1997. He also was named MANA’s “Person of the Year” in 1986, “Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Numismatist” in 1982, both MANA and Kent Coin Club “Numismatist of the Year,” and was the first recipient of the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists’ Frank Gasparro Award. He was named a “Numismatic Ambassador” by Krause Publications in 1979.
A life long resident of Delaware, Taylor was born September 29, 1926. After service in the Navy, he spent 34 years in banking, retiring in 1983 as a vice president and branch administration director. He served on the boards of the local YMCA, Rotary Club, Dover Chamber of Commerce, American Cancer Society, Delaware Small Business Administration, and was campaign chairman of United Way of Delaware. Before retiring, Taylor was appointed to Delaware’s State Council on Banking.
Taylor is survived by his wife, Beulah; one son, Stephen R. Jr.; one daughter, Barbara Harvath; and four grandchildren. Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. on Friday, July 6, at the Torbert Funeral Chapel, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, in Dover, Delaware. Burial will follow at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Dover.
Originally Release Date: July 3, 2001
ANA Contacts: Phone: 719-482-9872
Email: pr@money.org