The Lasting Legacy of Professor Steve Feller

There are scientific leaders whose influence is measured in concepts, papers, and citations. There are also those who impact their community by championing people, education, and our best ideals—encouraging others to be a better version of themselves. Steve “Doc” Feller, a past president of Sigma Pi Sigma and longtime professor and SPS advisor at Coe College, will be remembered as both of these, and to many in our community, much more. The Worth Seagondollar Award winner passed away on November 19, 2025.

Over 46 years, Feller built a premiere undergraduate research program focusing on oxide glasses at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The pillars of ∑∏∑ were at the heart of his career, guiding him in everything from groundbreaking condensed matter research to being a mentor, leader, and engaged member of the physics and astronomy community.

Scholarship

Doc earned his PhD at Brown University and began teaching at Coe in 1979. Working with fellow Coe professor Mario Affatigato and their students, Doc published nearly 140 papers on the atomic structure and physical properties of glass. Most have undergraduate authors. One of Doc’s shining achievements was including undergraduate students in every part of the research and dissemination process. Because of his efforts, hundreds of his students contributed to the field and test drove careers in research and engineering.

Leadership

Through his involvement with organizations including the American Physical Society (APS) and the American Ceramic Society, Feller helped bring together physicists from across the globe to collaborate on cutting-edge research. He played a leading role in organizing conferences and symposia, including Sigma Pi Sigma congresses. At Coe, he mentored countless student leaders, helping them develop the skills they needed to succeed. Doc was tireless in creating an environment in which students felt supported and empowered

Service: An Attitude and Lifestyle

One of the first things people learned on meeting Doc, besides his characteristic greeting of “Yo,” in a thick Brooklyn accent, was his passion for giving back. He was involved in many programs promoting science education, particularly to those underserved in the field. Doc believed that science should be accessible to everyone, and worked to make sure every student could engage in physics and astronomy on their terms. He built a wide base to support student travel that was highly successful—often allowing dozens of students to attend meetings—and effective at helping students connect their passion for science to the broader community, creating a strong Coe physics alumni network.

A celebrated institution, Doc’s SPS chapter received Outstanding recognition countless times. He made sure each ∑∏∑ induction ceremony was a community-building event, often securing renowned scientists such as Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Jim Gates to not just speak with students but build lasting connections. From sharing his “world-famous” liquid nitrogen ice cream recipe to encouraging chapter support of the local community, Doc’s impact can be measured in lives changed.

Fellowship: A Collaborative Physics and Astronomy Community

Doc was a strong believer in the importance of Fellowship, both within the academic environment and in the scientific community. He recognized that science thrives when students and researchers across many levels of experience collaborate, share knowledge, and support each other. Doc was famous for bringing his students with him to every meeting and laboratory he could.

Through his contributions to science and his tireless support of those he worked with, Feller made a lasting impact on the fields of physics and glass science. He is a model for how one can embody the values of ∑∏∑—Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship—throughout their career. His work will continue to shape the future of physics and impact generations of scientists for years to come.