Dr. Stephen J. Teller, formerly of Pittsburg, passed away on June 16, 2025, in Overland Park, Kansas.
He was born Feb. 15, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois to James Henry and Florence (Morris) Teller. He was raised in Chicago and earned his bachelor’s degree at Roosevelt University before performing graduate work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he earned his doctorate in 1967.
That same year he accepted a position in the newly formed English Department at Kansas State College of Pittsburg (now Pittsburg State University) and taught there for 43 years, specializing in Shakespeare and other Elizabethan/Jacobean writers.
He also organized student trips to London, programmed films for campus showings, and performed in many plays over the years for the University Theatre and for Pittsburg Community Theatre, a particular triumph being his performance as the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz.
On May 8, 1976, he married Nikki June Patrick of Pittsburg and The Morning Sun; she preceded him in death on Oct. 20, 2014. They had one son, James, who survives in Kansas City, Missouri, and numerous cats and dogs over the years.
Dr. Teller’s other interests included the International Wizard of Oz Club, of which he was a member from 1966 onwards and from whom he received the L. Frank Baum Memorial Award in 2010; he was also an avid traveler throughout his life, traveling extensively within the United States and Canada as well as through Europe.
Survivors include his son and his nephew Martin, of Portland, Oregon. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents including his stepmother Ann (Ratner), his brother Michael, and his niece Rachel.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 21, at Brenner Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to S.E.K. Humane Society. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS
