Robert W Sturges

Robert W. Sturges, 83

Brunswick Robert W. Sturges, 83, passed away, Friday December 5, 2003, at Samaritan Hospital Troy after a long illness, surrounded by his loving family and in the care of The Community Hospice of Rensselaer County.

Born in Troy, he was son of the late Thomas and Ruth Dater Sturges and loving husband for 60 years of Edna R. Conger Sturges.

Mr. Sturges was a graduate of Lansingburgh High School, class of 1938, excelling in academics and athletics. He was the captain of the football and basketball teams and a member of the National Honor Society. He graduated from Springfield College in 1943, where he had been captain of the football team and a small college All-American.

Mr. Sturges received an Ensign's commission in 1943 and served as the gunnery officer aboard the D.E. SS Malloy. He participated in the Normandy invasion, on D-Day at Omaha Beach in 1944.

Following the war, he returned to Springfield College to study for his Master's degree. After completing his formal education, he began a distinguished career as a teacher and coach at the public high schools of Bar Harbor, ME ; Barker, NY, and retired after 28 years at Bogota High School in New Jersey.

Mr. Sturges was employed at Bogota High School, serving as Director of Athletics, head football coach, guidance counselor and teacher. His teams won several state championships and he was admitted to the Bogota High School Hall of Fame.

Throughout his life, he was an avid sports enthusiast, including hiking, skiing, tennis and golf; a lover of the arts, especially music and a painter and poet. In his retirement, he became a well known crossword puzzle constructor and was published in numerous Dell Publications and the New York Times.

Survivors in addition to his wife include a son, Robert Sturges (Nancie) of Coral Gables, FL; a sister, Cynthia Sturges Crossen (the late James T.) of Troy; three grandchildren, Lauren, Brad and Darren Sturges of FL; a great-granddaughter, Layla Sturges of FL; three cousins, Virginia Janson, Helen Hendry and Lois Hollenbeck; two nieces, Kathie Crossen Vumbacco and Mary Crossen Maselli; a nephew, Thomas Crossen and several grand nieces and nephews all of the a Troy area.

The memorial service will be held Tuesday at 11:00am from St. John's Episcopal Church 146 First St. Troy with Rev. John Kelly, Rector, officiating followed by a reception in the Thompson Room of the church.

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home Inc. corner of Pawling and Maple Avenues Troy on Monday from 7-9pm.

Interment Gerald BH Solomon National Cemetery in Schuylerville.

Kindly omit flowers. Those desiring may make donations to St. John's Episcopal Church Memorial Fund 146 First St. Troy, NY 12180 or The Community Hospice of Rensselaer County 295 Valley View Blvd. Rensselaer, NY 12144.

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