Samuel Holtsberry Sturm

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.