Michael Sturrus

Michael Sturrus was born in New Orleans, LA on January 13, 1984 to Edward and Joyce Sturrus. He passed away unexpectedly in his River North, Chicago home on November 5, 2023 at the age of 39.
Michael spent his formative years in Hinsdale, a western suburb of Chicago. He moved to London with his family as a sophomore in high school and attended The American School in London where he wrote for the school paper and competed on the swim team. Summers found him serving as a US Certified Sailing Instructor at the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club. Upon graduation in 2002, he entered Boston University where he majored in Communication and sailed regattas with the university team. His academic career was interrupted by necessary surgery after which he finished his BS degree at Grand Valley University. Michael found his true calling post grad while attending a Chicago coding bootcamp and became a software developer. In 2017, he took his first job at a major credit card company. From there, he worked for a fintech and later a major pharmaceutical company. He enjoyed the camaraderie of teammates on the job but was always happy to come home to the quiet company of his beloved dog, Digby. During the pandemic, he was hired to co-teach coding via Zoom to students of many different backgrounds and locations throughout the eastern US. He loved hearing of their success as they landed their first coding position and thanked him for the role he played in starting their career.
Michael will be remembered for his sense of humor and ability to retell jokes and stories verbatim. His command of vocabulary, syntax and spelling was always apparent in his communications, both verbal and digital. His laid back, easy and accepting engagement with both friends and strangers was inviting. He strove to be the best he could be. He is survived by his parents, brother, David, sister-in-law, Laura, and niece and nephew.
His ashes will be interred in Holland, Ml in a family plot near his childhood summer home. A private graveside service is planned.