Episode 264: Thank you, Steve Epstein
Many people shared their praises of Steve. Hear from many including Bowen Kerins, Keith Johnson, Greg Poverelli, Daniel Spolar, Keith Elwin, and Steve's best friend, Roger Sharpe. Rest in peace...
Highlights
- Steve Epstein passed away from cancer in early 2026
- Steve Epstein founded Broadway Arcade in New York City and was instrumental in creating PAPA (Professional and Amateur Pinball Association)
- Epstein co-created the modern IFPA with Roger Sharpe and his sons
- In 1993, there were only two major pinball competitions: PAPA 3 and IFPA 3
- Epstein's vision and events directly led to industry employment and career opportunities for many players who became designers and manufacturers
- Epstein was involved with Project Pinball, which has placed machines in 46 hospitals
- The IFPA World Championships features the annual Epstein Cup, a competition between North America and the rest of the world
- Epstein and Roger Sharpe had a 45-year friendship
Notable quotes
“There's no way this podcast exists without that first time playing competitive pinball in a league.”
“He was the motivation and encouragement behind all of it. We will miss you, Steve. Pinball will never be the same without you, but pinball will also never forget you.”
“all of us whether we realize it or not, owe Steve an unbelievable debt, whether it's us as pinball players, whether it's us as competitive pinball players, whether it's us as people in the industry.”
“I cannot picture what my life would be like without his influence.”
“There is nobody like Steve Epstein. But at the same time, there are lots of people like Steve Epstein now, and that is his influence.”
“I think it's a world of openings that's just going to blossom, and I think we really are, in a way, at the very beginning of something that's going to be huge.”
“He shared his passion for pinball and loved to talk to anybody that played pinball. So as far as I feel, we are standing on the shoulder of a giant.”
“45 years of friendship that endured. Truly a love affair between the two of us... his legacy forever and I am pained by his passing, but truly I am grateful unconditionally for the fact that he was in my life.”
Entities
- Epstein Cup· competition
- Freeplay Florida· event
- Pinburgh· event
- IFPA (International Flipper Pinball Association)· organization
- PAPA (Professional and Amateur Pinball Association)· organization
- Project Pinball· organization
- Bowen Kerins· person
- Daniel Spoler· person
- Dave Stewart· person
- Frank Guida· person
- Greg Pavarelli· person
- Jack Guarnieri· person
- Jeff Lee· person
- Keith Elwin· person
- Keith P. Johnson· person
- Louis Kosiar· person
- Lyman Sheets· person
- Nitsan Gubai· person
- Penny Epstein· person
- Roger Sharpe· person
- Steve Epstein· person
- Broadway Arcade· venue
- District Eat & Play Oviedo· venue
- Modern Pinball· venue
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