Douglas H. STURGILL

I just found out of Doug's passing. I'm at a loss for words. What an amazing friend and confidant during my Asheville years. His heart was full of love and compassion.

It has been almost a year and you are still missed by so many that loved and cared for you. I pray for your children that, I am sure, are still hurt by your passing.

I've been thinking more and more about you lately Dad. Just remembering all the things you taught me as a child and wishing you were here to teach me even more. I look at your picture on this page, with your big old smile, and can't help but wish you were here to hug me. I'm at that age where I just feel lost and confused, and having you here would help me so much. At this time of planning a wedding, I need you even more. I love you so much, and I'm so sorry you had to go so soon. Continue...

Thank you so much to every person who has posted their memories of Dad. I've really enjoyed reading them. At twenty-five, I wish I could have known him longer as an adult. I wish we'd had more time. I like to think about the times I came home from college; drinking beer with him downtown (he told the waiter proudly that I was his son after a couple pints), the time he fell asleep in a chair at the coffee shop after eating a huge waffle, sitting in his bedroom and listening to Leonard Cohen...

If I can keep the tears from welling up, I would like everyone to know how much I have come to cherish the times that I spent playing my keyboard for Doug. I met him about two years ago and took an immediate liking to him and he to me. When I arrived each Tuesday I would search the room until I found the sparkling, twinkling eyes and his captivating smile. He was excited each time we met and shook my hand warmly and meaningfully. Some of the goodbye man to man hugs were so meaningful...

In 1986, Doug joined the VHP (a home health agency) Board of Directors. We'd know each other since he'd first become a manager at the hospital - but my appreciation for Doug as a person really blossomed during his term on the Board. He was one of those wonderful individuals who appreciated that organizations were often inefficient, but that you could still make them work better. Countless times i saw Doug go out of his way to fix a small piece of the world so an indivudual could get the...

Doug was a great collegue during his work at St Joes. He was a strong supporter of home care. His thoughtfulness greatly enhanced the care of people in our community. I cherish how Doug could turn an intense planning session with his smile. He made you prioritize the things that are important in life.
I miss him. Pam Tidwell