Steve Ravel

Jerome Stephen “Steve” Ravel was born in Austin Texas on February 2, 1955 to Jerome Olkin and Joanne Macow Ravel. He was raised in Austin and graduated from Austin High School in 1973. Throughout his school years, Steve was an avid swimmer and a member of the Austin Aquatic Club. Although Steve usually raced safely in pools, he once terrified his mother as she watched him butterfly over the white caps on Town Lake during the Aquafest open water swim. After graduating from Austin High, Steve attended Tufts University and then graduated from The University of Texas School of Law in 1981. Between college and law school, he worked for a local news station in Boston and, during law school, produced the CBS local nightly news in Austin. After graduating from law school. Steve worked as a lawyer for Ann Richards when she was Texas State Treasurer. He then began a long and successful career in business litigation, for many years as a partner at Kelly Hart & Hallman. He was known for his ability to tell a great story, both inside and outside the courtroom. In recent years, much of his practice has been centered in a major patent venue--the Western District of Texas, Waco Division. He loved working with young lawyers from around the country. He was actively involved in patent litigation at the time of his death. Steve was named a "Texas Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters, recognized in Martindale-Hubbell, and selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for business litigation, intellectual property litigation, administrative/regulatory law, restructuring, and bankruptcy. Steve was a beloved husband and father. He lived for his work and his family. He was the former board chair of his son Ben’s school--the Headwaters School in downtown Austin. He was so proud of his son Ben, who is the holder of Master’s degrees in both history and library science. His daughter Rachel is an actress and writer, and he was her biggest fan. Although his work and family were his primary focus, Steve also enjoyed piloting technically advanced aircraft. Steve’s family was shocked by his sudden and unexpected death. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Suzanne, and their two adult twin children, Ben and Rachel. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret (Missy) Ravel Elman, her husband, Bryan Bruns, and her children Jeremy and Emily Elman and their families. Services will be held on Friday, February 24 at 3:00 at Temple Beth Israel in Austin.

Steve Ravel

February 2, 1955 - February 19, 2023