Trade Regrets: Steven Wasser

Steven A. Wasser, 70, a former steward of Verne Q. Powell Flutes died peacefully at home in the Hudson Valley surrounded by his family on November 2, 2022.

Wasser loved music and was an accomplished woodwind musician. He was fortunate to pursue his career in the music world when he purchased Verne Q. Powell Flutes (Maynard, MA) in 1986 and, over the next 30 years, re-established the firm as the Stradivarius of the flute world. Many of the instruments were manufactured locally in the Boston area. He tirelessly pursued improved instrument sound quality and introduced innovative new products, resulting in a number of U.S. patents.

After selling Powell Flutes and moving to the Hudson Valley in New York State in 2018, Mr. Wasser, in conjunction with Upstate Capital, established a CEO peer group in the Hudson Valley area which he facilitated until last month.

Mr. Wasser’s greatest joy was his family, and he was a beloved and devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Stephanie (Sabloff) Wasser, daughter Jacqueline Stauffer (William Stauffer), of Redding, Ct., daughter, Merrill Cook (Matthew Cook), of Washington, D.C., and brother, Daniel Wasser (Marcia Zaiac), of Scotch Plains, NJ.