Steven Alvah Blodgett

MADISON - Steven Alvah Blodgett, age 70, of Madison, Wisconsin passed away on December 12, 2024. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 23, 1954 to Alvah Hugh and Marie (Faris) Blodgett.

Following his 1972 graduation from Bloomfield Hills Lahser High School, Steve earned his B.A. and M.A. at Central Michigan University and a Ph.D. in political science from Kent State University. He married Susan Mayer of Buchanan, New York, on April 30, 1988.

Steve enjoyed a long and distinguished career in higher education. He taught political science and international affairs at Kent State, George Mason University, and American University of Washington, D.C., and supervised study abroad programs in Geneva, Switzerland and London, England.

In 1986, he joined the U.S. State Department’s Fulbright Senior Scholar academic exchange program, serving as a senior administrator at the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, first as Area Chief for Western Europe and then as Director of Recruiting and Academic Liaison with American college and universities.

In 1997, he became Director of Public Affairs for Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, and retired from higher education in 2016 as Director of Marketing and Communications for St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.

Steve enjoyed travel and cooking and will be remembered as a caring husband and devoted father.

Steve is survived by his wife, Susan, son Michael Alvah Blodgett, daughter-in-law Chelsey, and granddaughters Riley and Maddie of Madison, Wisconsin, and older brother Robert Hugh Blodgett of Moretown, Vermont. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother James Faris Blodgett of Austin, Texas.

A graveside service for the family will be held in January. In recognition of Steve’s dedication to higher education and his affection for his granddaughters, all donations sent to the family in his honor will be directed towards their college education funds.