Steven Vosatka

Steven Vosatka

Cedar Rapids

Steven Vosatka, 74, passed away unexpectedly from complications of bronchitis on Jan. 24, 2023. Visitation from 10 to 11 a.m., with a memorial service following at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW, Cedar Rapids. Burial following the service in Czech National Cemetery.

Steve was born Nov. 6, 1948, in Cedar Rapids, the son of John and Ruth (Michalek)) Vosatka. He was very proud of his Czech Heritage.

Music was Steve’s life and his passion. By age 5, he was playing the piano “by ear,” virtually without music as if it had been memorized. He pursued his natural instincts for music his entire life. Prior to his graduation from Jefferson High School in 1966, he accompanied many musical groups, played flute and was the drum major for Jefferson’s marching band. He then went on to study music at Drake University, Des Moines and graduated from Cornell College in Mount Vernon. In 1981, Steve earned a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Thornton School of Music at USC, Los Angeles.

Over the years, Steve’s career included working for Ulm Theater Ballet and Essen Theater Ballet in Germany and Het National Ballet, Amsterdam, Holland. He taught vocal and piano students, participated in European Master Classes and summer musical festivals in Graz, Austria and the United States. He was church organist and music director for various churches in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. The highlight in his career was serving as pianist for Gregg Smith Singers, which included many concerts, special performances and tours.

Upon Steve’s return to Cedar Rapids in 2011, he held church organist positions at St. Andrew Evangelical Lutheran Church and Hus Memorial Presbyterian Church. His love of music included opera, orchestra, piano and organ concerts in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and on public radio, as well as the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band. Steve was an active, performing member of the Beethoven Club. He enjoyed watching birds near his condo and socializing around the Cedar Rapids area.

Steve is survived by his sister, Janet (Richard) Ransom; brother, Glenn (Lynn) Vosatk; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews; cousins in the Midwest, California and the Czech Republic; as well as extended family.

Memorials may be directed to the “Student Award Fund” of Beethoven Club, P.O. Box 2311, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2311; or an organization of your choice.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.