STEPHEN PAUL BARTELS passed peacefully on Thursday May 4^th, 2023, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  Steve was born to Mary and William Bartels on October 29, 1948 in Niskayuna, NY and grew up in Bethesda, Maryland.

Steve graduated from Good Counsel High School in 1966, The University of Maryland in 1971 and received his Doctorate of Physiology from George Washington University in 1977.  Steve’s lifelong dream was to find a cure for Glaucoma, and he had many research papers published throughout his career.  After marrying his sweetheart Judith Anne Bartels in 1978, Steve took a position as an Ophthalmologist at the Eye Research Institute of Boston.  Over the next fifteen years he and Judy had two children, Ashley Marie Bartels, and Robert James Bartels.  In 1992 they moved to New Jersey where Steve became a Senior Scientist at Bausch and Lomb.  After 10 years Bausch and Lomb relocated his family to Rochester, NY where he would continue to peruse his research until his retirement in 2012.

Steve is predeceased by his parents William C. Bartels and Mary T. Bartels.  In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his brother David G. Bartels.   Surviving, in addition to his loving wife of 45 years Judith A. Bartels, are his loving children, daughter Ashley M. Bartels and son Robert J. Bartels, also his siblings Mark Bartels (Anne), Paul Bartels (Bernie), Julia Bartels (Bud), Brian Bartels (Susan), Justin Bartels (Billy) as well as many nieces and nephews.

There will be a private celebration of Steve’s life.  In lieu of flowers, those who may wish to remember Steve in a special way may make donations to the Schepens Eye Research Institute of Mass Eye and Ear – 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114 or at https://masseyeandear.org/makeagift