Obituary of Harvey Stanford Stein

Harvey Stanford Stein, 92, of Denver, Colorado, died September 24, 2025. He was born in the Bronx, New York, to Gertrude and Samuel Stein.

A first-generation American and first-generation college graduate, Harvey earned his bachelor's degree from City College of New York on a full scholarship and his MBA from Columbia University on fellowship. He began his business career as a management trainee at Marshall Fields in Chicago, advancing through various positions before joining Montgomery Ward. After earning a reputation as one of the best in the business at building relationships with firms in Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan, he was hired as head of electronics purchasing for RCA in Indianapolis. Harvey later served as an executive at Samsonite before founding his own advertising specialty firms in Denver, including Motivational Marketing and Stein & Reed Incentives.

Harvey and Phyllis met on a blind date. After graduating college, they married in 1955. This summer, they celebrated 70 years of marriage. He was a devoted father who supported his

children in all their endeavors and attended countless games, performances, and activities.

A longtime member of Temple Sinai in Denver, Harvey served on the board and as board chair. He was instrumental in forming the temple's first Chavurah and participated in many congregation traditions, including the temple follies and road rallies. In recent years, he helped establish and teach in Heritage Eagle Bend’s (HEB) Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and participated in HEB’s Chavurah.

Harvey is survived by his wife Phyllis; children Ellen (Luther), Suzi (Greg), and Jeff (Chrissy); and grandchildren Lena, Micaela, and Benny.

A memorial service will be held Friday, September 26 at 12 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 3509 South Glencoe Street. Interment will immediately follow at Mt. Nebo Memorial Park. A livestream of the funeral service will be available on Temple Sinai's website.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the charity of your choice in honor of Harvey.

Harvey lived by the principle of Tikkun Olam—repairing the world through acts of kindness. He was a true mensch who chose love and who created opportunities rather than waiting for them. His legacy of unconditional love and community service will continue through the many lives he touched.