Harold Francis Sturm, Jr.

Captain Harold F. Sturm, Jr. United States Navy Retired, 85, passed on March 27, 2024.

Captain Sturm was born in Huntington, WV and attended Huntington East High School. Upon graduation he received a full Naval ROTC scholarship, one of only two awarded in the state, to the University of South Carolina, graduating with a degree in Chemical Engineering.

While on active-duty Captain Sturm served on the USS DAMATO, DDE -871 and as a Naval ROTC instructor at Auburn University.

When released from active duty he remained in the Naval Reserves serving as Executive Officer for units in Delaware and Charleston, SC and as Commanding Officer for units in Charleston and Savannah, GA. He retired with 32 years of service in 1992.

Upon release from active duty, he joined the DuPont Co. in Seaford, Delaware, working numerous technical and management positions. He led the group that developed the commercial process for the first nylon used for Stainmaster Carpet. He transferred to the Savannah River Site in 1981 again serving in numerous management positions including Saltstone Vault and process development and the Hanford River Protection process development project. He retired from Savannah River National Laboratory as a Senior Research/ Project Manager with forty three and a half years of service.

Over the years he was involved with various Boy Scout activities, Volley Ball leagues and was a founding member of the University of South Carolina Naval ROTC Alumni Association which has provided thousands of dollars in scholarships to students over the past twenty plus years. He was an avid fisherman his entire life making many trips around the country to fish with family and friends. The best fishing was always with his children and grandkids.

He is preceded in death by two daughters, Robin Hughes and Tammy Pierce. Survivors include his wife of 33 years Katherine., son Richard Sturm (Becky), Edisto Island, SC, daughter Linda Sturm, Norfolk, VA, brother William Sturm (Sallie), Milton WV, sister Cordelia Jolly (Eric), Spartanburg, SC, four grandchildren Jessica, Jay, Jade and Rebecca and one great grandson Korbin.

Memorial services will be held Monday afternoon, April 15^th at 2 o’clock at Shellhouse – Rivers Funeral Home with The Rev. Bill Howard III officiating.  The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home's website at https://iframe.dacast.com/b/156599/c/585055 .The family will receive friends at the funeral home following the service.

Any memorial contributions may be made to USC Naval ROTC Alumni Association, P.O. Box 24677, Columbia, SC 29224.

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC