Dr. Stephen R. Lange

I am so sorry to hear this – he was a wonderful man and inspired many with his music and love of music.

He was a wonderful man and mentor growing up. He always had a smile and a song! He will be sorely missed. Prayers of comfort and peace to Nancy.

What fond memories I have of him when he’d come to our high school and work with the guys. My condolences to Mrs. Lange who was also an amazing teacher and person.

Dr. Lange was a constant figure in my high school years. He was the man beside Mrs. Lange in all that she did. He was at our school working with the men and giving perspective to all groups. Open and giving of his time and talents to those who asked. A true quiet strength of a great man who will be greatly missed. I am so sorry to have missed working with him again by such a short amount of time. Well done Mr. Lange. You made a difference in people’s lives that have carried on not only to my generation but to those in the next generation as well that I have been blessed to encounter. You will be missed.

There are no words to express how I feel about Steve Lange. He was like the brother I never had. Countless kids’ lives were touched and changed by his patient caring and teaching. His influence has “forever ripples”. My deep caring to his dear wife, Nan.

Dr. Lange had such an amazing and positive effect on so very many. He was a very special man.

I love the Langes. I enjoyed every week of voice lessons with Dr. Lange and always had endless respect for them as individuals and a couple. Prayers for Mrs. Lange and my heart hurts for you. Let us know if there’s anything you need.

I remember him surprising Mrs. Lange during dress rehearsal of Beauty and the Beast for their anniversary I think it was. We all sang Tale as Old as Time and they danced in the middle.

I feel like I am a better person for having Dr. Lange in my life for a few short years. I often relay the story about how when Eric and I walked it to pick out the music for our wedding and he already had a pile on his desk of what he thought I would want. He had never meet Eric but he was still spot on for both of our likes. Both Steve and Nancy were wonderful chaperones when we went to England. My thoughts and prayers go our to Nancy.

So sorry for your loss Nancy!! Dr. Lange was always so patient with both of our kids as they learned to sing in high school. What a talented and special individual. Wishing you a healing heart!
Allen and Susan Deming

So sorry for your loss, Nancy. He will be greatly missed. He brought so much music to so many people. I was in Nancy’s high school choirs as were my husband and my children. My daughter sings in the Grand Rapids women’s chorus and I sing in Voca Lyrica. I was also in the Lange Early Music Ensemble. Thank you both for giving us foundations in music which have made us lifelong musicians. Both my kids were in your children’s choir. Take care Nancy. You are in our thoughts.

My Condolences and prayers for comfort to my high school vocal music teacher, Mrs. Lange. I remember Mr. Lange’s presence and support of all of our activities at Grand Ledge High School. I have such fond memories of those times.

Dr. Lange was such a blessing to me. He led our youth choir from St. Paul’s in 1987 to London, York Minster, Edinburgh and the Royal School of Church Music at Harrogate. It was an experience that has stayed with me and informed my faith to this day. Nancy, I am holding you in my heart today. I know that he is making beautiful music in heaven right now. May he Rest In Peace and Rise in Glory.

What a great man! What a wonderful servant of God!! We are all blessed to have had Steve in our lives. I have a vision of him directing a choir of angels in heaven.

Nancy, I am so sorry. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

What can I say that hasn’t been covered?!?! This quiet, gentle man and my husband worked so well together. He mentored and gave tried and true advice—but only when asked. A cheerful disposition along with a quick sense of humor made him a delight to be around. With all his talents and accomplishments he was never boastful or “stuffy”. I secretly adored watching him on Sunday mornings. It never got “old” for him—playing and directing!! My condolences to Nan and all the family!

Steve had that rare quality of always bringing out the best in others including enthusiasm for children of all ages. Our boys were in choir for several years during which they reaped the benefits of his teaching and traveled to Great Britain as “England Choristers”. They respected and admired him and he in turn brought out the best in them. His sensitivity, musical prowess, and dedication to the church were extraordinary. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his beloved wife Nancy.

He was an incredibly talented person whose influence cannot be measured. I’m very sorry to hear of his passing.

There are no words to adequately describe the influence that Dr. Lange had on my life. He was one of the main reasons that I became a music teacher, and outside of my parents, my biggest support and encouragement in this regard. He taught me so much more than music though; he greatly influenced my faith (he was the person who gave me CS Lewis’ “Mere Christianity” as a high school graduation present, a pivotal read for me) and truly taught me what it meant to give any musical talent that I might have been given in this life, back to God. His humility, character and faith had an enormous impact on me, and I will be forever grateful for his presence and influence in my life. Rest in Peace Dr. Lange! You are in my prayers Mrs. Lange!

Dearest Nancy, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Steve was a wonderful person and a great musician. You both helped me so much on my own musical journey. The Angels in heaven now have a new addition to the heavenly choir. I offer my prayers to you and all who had the pleasure of knowing Steve and making hours of gracious music together!

I am so sorry to learn about the passing of Mr. Lange. Just this morning, I had uncovered my very first passport, used for our 1991 trip to England. What a wonderful experience that was, and to this day I remember it fondly.

Mr. Lange was Church for me, for all of my childhood years. I remember my dad taking my into the choir room one Sunday in 1982 after church when I was about six years old and introducing me to Mr. Lange. I was so nervous, with all of the older kids rushing in after the service, but his kindness and patience reassured me that I was in the right spot. That interaction was the first of many, and lead me to a love of singing and some of the most positive experiences I’ve had in my life. Countless Wednesdays and Sundays, Christmas and Easter Services, Graduation Sundays (I will never forgot my graduation Sunday in 1993) were made more special by him. They were glorious, and looking back, so spiritual and unparalleled.

We were blessed to have been a part of all that he created.

May you find peace, Mrs. Lange, in the days ahead, knowing the breadth and depth of his impact.

We had the privilege of knowing Steve and his wife Nancy through church connections. It was a blessing to have had the opportunity to hear some of their lovely concerts as well as Steve’s outstanding organ music in church. Steve and Nancy were and still are a wonderful couple. It was a pleasure seeing them so devoted to each other and devoted right up to the present time. Happy memories live forever and always abide with us and them. We also enjoyed hearing about their travels. Blessings to Nancy, her family and everyone who knew them. –Joy and Rich S.

Dr Lange and Mrs. Lange were the Lansing music pillars of awarded accomplished vocal choirs and emsembles….we will always cherish the beautiful memory of Dr.Lange playing the organ and Mrs. Lange directing the Grand Ledge Madrigals as they performed among other selections, Lacrimosa in the 11th century old Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi, during their 2006 spring break trip and tour of Italy. So grateful for his dedication, passion and ever willing expertise…God Bless

Steve was a terrific musician and a wonderful person. I learned a lot about both from singing in his Ensemble many years ago. Thank you Steve.

Words cannot express SteveLange. In addition to his wonderful choral leadership he was a man of deep faith would made the Bible come to life. Both John and I felt blest to have been associated with a man such as this. Loved his wonderful partnership/love with Nancy who also shared so much with us. Thank you God

I have had the privilege of calling both Steve and Nancy friends and colleagues for many years. Many of my Okemos HS students got their start with Steve at St. Paul’s, and Nancy and I often combined our choirs to perform major works together — sometimes conducted or accompanied by Steve! His passing is a major loss not to just friends, family and former students, but to the entire Lansing musical community. He was a loved, cherished and highly respected man who will be greatly missed. Dear Nancy, Ingrid joins me in sending our most heartfelt sympathy. May you find comfort in the memories and in knowing he was an inspiration to us all.

Dearest Nancy,
I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved Stephen! Though I didn’t know him well, I could tell what a fine man he was and just how devoted the two of you were to one another! ! I have always admired you and you were a big part of my feeling like I i was a kid that was special and that had potential to succeed in the arts. You made all your students feel welcome in your class! I can’t imagine what you are going through; but I can understand a bit as I just lost my brother to 2 year pancreatic cancer battle a week ago. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss . I have read all the many comments and Stephen was loved by so many. May God Bless you Nancy and watch over you as only he can. Sending you a big hug. Miriam Grey

Like so many others, my heart has been aching since I heard of Mr. Lange’s passing. He was a light in my life growing up singing in the choir; so many memories of him and Nancy, at church and on our trip to England. I know there are so many of us that are fortunate to have those memories. My favorite memory of Steve is looking to him as he directed us at the end of singing, as we held the last note and he cut us off. He always had a little smile in that moment that made my heart sing. My favorite memory of Nancy was when she graced St Paul’s with her presence and sang with the choir on Sunday. When I was lucky enough to be sitting next to her, I was so in awe of her beauty and her beautiful voice. Special moments that can never be duplicated; it makes me happy and sad at the same time feeling his loss. My heart goes out to you dear Nancy. You have my love and hugs.

Dr. Lange was my first organ teacher. Without his guidance I never would have attended MSU
as an organ student. Both George and I had the privilege of singing in the Lange Chorale
several years before moving to Minnesota. His leadership was inspiring. Our sincere
prayers for Nancy and family.

I am truly so sorry for your loss. I did not know your husband, but as I read the many wonderful comments about him, he sounds like he was a ‘one in a million’ man. My prayers go out to you during this very difficult time.

So sorry for your loss, Nancy. I only knew Steve through playing tennis with him. I always enjoyed playing with Steve and Nancy, they were good players, but more importantly they were very nice people. They were always cheerful and friendly and I was glad whenever I had the opportunity to play with them. He will be missed!

I am so grateful to the Langes for the gift of music they brought to my life. From children’s choir through high school, I have so many memories of their talent and love of music and teaching. Dr. Lange was always so kind, patient, and talented. The appreciation for music of all kinds is something I am passing on to my daughter and I have you both the thank for that. THANK YOU for it all! I’m so sorry for your loss, Mrs. Lange.

Nancy-

My deepest and sincerest condolences. May God grant you the strength to weather this separation until you can be rejoined in the hereafter. Its not overstating to say that all who knew you both could sense the soulmate nature of your relationship. Never once did you speak of Stephen that love’s light didnt sparkle in your eyes.

I want to echo Barb’s sentiments of thanks for your sharing him with us, your students. While it was, without question, motivating to work with him musically, it was also life instructive to see such shining role models of love and companionship.

Peace be with you, and warmest regards always.

I remember when Dr. Lange graced us with his presence at GLHS. It really felt like being in the presence of greatness! He was in all fields a wonderful person! He, Dr. Lange and my choir teacher, Mrs. Nancy Lange will forever be a staple in my life when I think of the influence behind my LOVE for music!