Samuel Sturm
Obituary
Samuel ""Sam""
Holtsberry Sturm, 93, former Kansas Ninth Judicial District Court
judge, passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday, December 29,
2015, at Wesley Woodlawn Hospital. He was 93 years old and had been
married to the love of his life, Betty Lou Dufriend Sturm, for 71
years.
Sam was born Oct. 6, 1923, in
Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to Samuel and Virginia Sturm. He was the
youngest of the 10 Sturm boys. He graduated from Stillwater High
School in 1940, and went on to college at Oklahoma State University,
where he was a member of the golf team. He left OSU in 1942 to join
the U.S. Navy and serve in World War II. He was an Aviation Machinist
Mate 3rd Class and served as a member of a crash and rescue crew. He
was stationed at the Hutchinson Naval Air Station and the Newton Air
Station Auxiliary Field. It was during his time in the service in
1943 that he met his wife, Lou. The two were married in October 1944.
Upon his discharge from the Navy in
1945, he finished his college education at Wichita State University
and went on to law school at Washburn University, graduating with a
Juris Doctorate in 1952.
Upon graduation, Sam returned to Lou's
hometown of Newton. He was elected as a probate, county and juvenile
court judge in 1952 and held that position until 1961. He was then
elected as a district court judge for the Ninth Judicial District,
covering Harvey and McPherson Counties, and served until he retired
in 1987. After his retirement, he served as a special assignment
judge for the state Supreme Court, hearing cases all over Kansas.
Sam was an accomplished jurist. During
his career on the bench, he served as the president of the Kansas
Judges Association, was on the Attorney General's Judges Committee,
served on the President's Committee on Traffic Safety for the United
States, and was on the steering committee for the Law and Psychiatry
Institute at the University of Kansas. Although Sam handled a variety
of cases, he was especially well versed in legal issues involving
families and children. He served as the chair of the Kansas Bar
Association's family law section. He also attended the White House
Conference on Children and Youth in Washington, D.C., at the
invitation of President Eisenhower and published many articles on
domestic and juvenile law issues. His views on domestic and juvenile
law issues was the focus of a national feature article in Power
Magazine.
Sam was also a prolific public speaker.
He spoke at legal seminars around the state, largely on topics
involving children and the law. He was also a guest speaker for the
National Convention of Baptists and the National Association of
Evangelicals, where he shared the stage at the 20th annual convention
with Dr. Billy Graham and Dr. Bob Pierce. In total, he gave more than
100 commencement addresses across Kansas.
Sam cared deeply about his community.
He served on the Board of Directors of Bethel College and in a
variety of other volunteer roles in Newton and the surrounding
community.
But Sam would tell you that nothing on
his résumé mattered as much as his family. And it's true; Sam's
professional accomplishments are only outshined by his love for God
and his family. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, siblings,
and a son, Samuel ""Sammy"" Sturm.
Survivors are his wife, Lou, of the
home and two children; Jeff Sturm of Newton, and Lou Ann Sturm
Ritchie (and Jack) of Wichita; eight grandchildren, Alex Sturm of
Wichita, Lindsey Sturm of Wichita, Camille Sturm of Newton, Courtney
Sturm of New York City, Sam Ritchie (and Anna) of Wichita, Dr. Cole
Ritchie (and Dr. Jamie) of Lawrence, and Daniel Ritchie of Lawrence;
and three great-grandchildren.
The Memorial Service will be at 2 p.m.
Jan. 9, 2016,t the First Church of the Nazarene in Newton, 1000 N.
Main Street, Newton, Kansas, 67114, 283-4270, , A reception will
follow at the church. A private interment will follow at a separate
date.
Memorial contributions may be made to
the Newton Presbyterian Manor.