Byron DeWitt Sturm

Byron DeWitt Sturm, 85, passed away on November 27, 2022. He was born on September 6, 1937 in Akron, Ohio to Max Sturm and Edna (Orman) Sturm. Byron graduated from North High School, class of '55 as President of his class. He graduated from the University of Akron in 1961 with a degree in Civil Engineering and was a member and Past President of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He started his career with the City of Akron, Department of Planning and Urban Renewal. He served as Executive Director of Northeast Ohio Four County Regional Planning and Development Organization (NEFCO), Maryland Department of Planning, MS Consultants as Manager of the Akron office, finally retiring from the City of Akron as their Traffic Engineer.

Byron loved his family with all his heart, always looking forward to the family vacations on the beach which provided uninterrupted family time. He enjoyed going to his grandchildren's sporting events and school performances.

Byron devoted 16 years to Akron-area baseball as a coach and manager beginning in 1975 with St. Sebastian CYO and GABF, Hoban Merchants, Akron Knights Omnicor and Akron Omnicor in the AA League. His calm, wise leadership in developing a “feeder” system for AA ball won 11 various league titles and he was awarded the Frank Garcia Award for helping rebuild the league when it was at an all-time low. He was inducted into the Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998. Byron was the batting and outfield coach for the Archbishop Hoban Softball Team from 1984-1990 and helped lead the team to two consecutive State Championships. He was beloved by his players and a wonderful positive motivator.

In addition to his parents and step-father, Conrad Allrutz, Byron was preceded in death by his in-laws, Rymer and Molly Moss; and brother-in-law, Richard Moss.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Beverly; sons, Mark (Kim) Sturm, children Faith Anna, Noah, David, Moses, Abigale; David (Wendi) Sturm, children Joe and Jack; Adam (Christine Poth) Sturm, children Faith and Christine; Matthew (Russell Dugger) Sturm and Melissa Sturm; his brother, Jef (Deb) Sturm, Pawley's Island, SC, children Kevin, Erin (Blaine) Kummet, and Jeffrey; and sister-in-law Maryann Moss, nieces Ann Tarpley and Alice Moss, St. Cloud, FL. and many other extended family and friends.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 476 Mull Ave. in Akron, where friends may call from 10-11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Byron's memory to the Village of St. Edward, 3131 Smith Rd., Fairlawn, OH 44333 or Archbishop Hoban High School, One Holy Cross Blvd., Akron, OH 44306.

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