Elizabeth Gould Zobel
September 11, 2025
Love you, Uncle Steve. Thinking of you, Susan, sending strength and peace.
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Stephen Alan Gould, age 80, loving husband and best friend of Susan (Davis), passed away on August 1, 2025.
He was born on September 27, 1944, in East Aurora, New York, the third child of M. Irwin Gould and Lillian B. Gould. At the age of 10, the family moved to suburban St. Louis. Upon graduation from Ladue High School, he enrolled at Wabash College where he earned an AB in German Language. At Wabash, he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and the Delta Phi Alpha German Honorary Society. Following graduation, he was awarded a National Defense Education Act Fellowship to attend the University of Nebraska where he earned his M.A. and Ph.D in German Language and Literature.
Dr. Gould began his extraordinary 42-year career at Lakeland University in 1970 as an instructor of German language and literature. A gifted teacher with a sharp intellect, a wry sense of humor, and his ever-present pipe, he quickly earned the admiration of students and colleagues alike. Within a decade, he would leave the classroom to take on a series of challenges developing evening and off-campus programming for working adults. Under his leadership those programs eventually enabled thousands of adult learners to earn their bachelor’s degrees. From 1991 to 1993 he served as the Provost and Dean of Lakeland University-Japan and was then elected as the 14th President of Lakeland University until his retirement in 2012. But beyond numbers and buildings, Stephen was a scholar, a philosopher, a literary mind, and above all, a deeply human leader. His devotion to the liberal arts and to Lakeland’s mission was evident in everything he did.
Steve is survived by his beloved wife, Susan, with whom he shared 43 years of partnership, purpose, and devotion. He was survived by his two brothers, Win Gould of Punta Gorda, FL; and Tom Gould, of High Ridge, MO. He was a proud and loving father to daughter Stephanie (George) Nenni of Middleton, OH and their children, Will, Henry, Stella and Beatrice; daughter Molly (Morgan) Jones of Liberty Township, OH and their children, Lacey, Alex and Maeve; son Andrew (Crystal) Gould of Folsom, CA and their child, Seth; stepson Joseph (Michelle) Zuengler of Sheboygan Falls, WI and their children, Maxwell, Raena and Timothy; stepson Matthew (Joelle) Zuengler of De Pere, WI and their children Brittany, Emma, Natalie, and Tyler; and stepson Benjamin Zuengler of Greenbush, WI.
Above all else, Steve cherished time with his family and friends, traveling, and learning more about life through literature and sailing on his boat, Prime Time.
A celebration of his life and legacy will be at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Lakeland University.
Guestbook Entries SIGN GUESTBOOK
Prudence S. Bellinger, MBA, MPA
September 4, 2025
I miss him already. Stephen A. Gould, PhD was unwavering. His ability to meet so many people at their level and still house himself was amazing. I watch how he moved through a room and how he never missed a beat; astonishing.
When I graduated his eyes locked with mines as my dysfunctional family took away my special day. That look and expression on his face was godlike. It was as if he showed me my future... how I will help others, how my humility will always be the same... I am a product of Lakeland College, now University, and all the gods see you. The creator and Most High knows thy heart, wear it always, and remember my face --the pride I hold in my willpower of your special day and your life to come.
I have done so many amazing things. Came back share some with him. He was the same when I first meet him, genuine, kind and heavily ready to educate as the last encounter that we held in small chats. They just don't make them like him... he was a scholar.
My condolences goes out to his family, friend, and all that had the pleasure of being associated with Dr. Stephen.
Kind regards,
Prudence S. B.
Terri Vega
August 14, 2025
Hello Susan,
Well, well, well....
Lori L. Wangemann January
August 8, 2025
Dear Family of Dr. Gould,
I am/was the daughter of Dr. Wangemann. My entire childhood was Lakeland College (now University). I also graduated from Lakeland College. Dr. Gould always had my great respect and as Dean, he was a great leader for Lakeland. As other colleges around the area closed their doors, Dr. Gould had vision for the future and I believe that insight saved Lakeland. His intellectual skills were far beyond many. I first knew him in the Lakeland family, then as a Lakeland teacher, then as the Lakeland Dean, and finally, as husband to Susan who was my sister‘s boss. So as I came across this news, I am sure we share some similar emotions. But besides his great leadership of Lakeland University, I will always remember his witty sense of humor. He was so dignified and I was a little shy back then. A bit hesitant to speak to him. As I got older and moved to the Washington DC area, I attended a few reunions. It was the shared familiarity between us and his humor that got me to know the whole man that he was. He will be missed, but also, always remembered by many.
Craig Kandler
August 5, 2025
Dr Gould was a caring and a charismatic person who respected students and faculty. As a alum of Lakeland 83 he held a special place in our family as we all we’re alumni and we’re to call Lakeland home over the years and also made a point to share a word with us. God ‘s peace and love to the Gould family ! Thanks for keeping Lakeland strong . Until we meet again The Harvey Kandler’s family