Roger Granville Sturtevant, Sr.

Roger Granville Sturtevant lived a full active life, and passed on Saturday March 29, 2025, at age 99. He was a faithful husband, father, and honest man who was dearly loved by his family and many friends. He was admired by all for his friendly, amiable personality, business acumen, and athleticism.

Roger was born in Erie on October 20, 1925, the son of Percy Granville Sturtevant and Irene (Hauer) Sturtevant. Growing up on Beech Avenue, Glenwood Hills was a verdant woodland for a boy to explore with pals. It was there he made several enduring friendships that lasted a lifetime. He shared his love of golf and athletics with his many friends, and they were often seen from sunrise to sunset at the nearby Glenwood Golf Course.  A good student, after skipping a grade, Roger graduated in 1942 from Academy High School. Being just 16, he did a postgraduate college preparatory year at Western Reserve Academy, Hudson, OH. While at Erie Academy and WRA, he played on the basketball, golf and tennis teams. It was also during his early years that Roger met Martha Bert at Luther Memorial Church; she would later be his first wife.  Roger attended Union College, where he played the ‘number one’ position on the golf team and as a starter on the basketball team. WWII interrupted Roger’s college plans and he enlisted in the US Navy in 1944. He served as Ensign after extensive V-12 officer training and college courses at Cornell University. The Navy program allowed him to graduate from Union with an Economics Degree before being posted as a navigator to a ship in the Pacific. He remained in the Navy Reserves until 1953, ending his career as Second Lieutenant.  Upon his return to Erie, Roger and Martha Bert were married November 29, 1947.  Shortly after, they bought their first home and started a family. Roger began a 19-year career with Hammermill Paper Company as a purchasing agent. He then accepted an executive position with Zurn Industries and finished his successful business career at Erie Malleable Iron Company.  Roger was an active member of the Erie community, having served in leadership roles on several local organizations including the United Way, Erie Club, and Luther Memorial Church. With United Way, he served as the Campaign Chair and was President in 1973. Roger was proud of his associations and the many friendships he made at Lake Shore Country Club, Kahkwa Club, Erie Club, and the Ocean Reef Club (FL).  After 56 years of marriage, Martha died of cancer in 2004. Roger subsequently married long-time family friend Nancy Baldwin. Roger and Nancy had a wonderful second life together spending their time in Erie and Ocean Reef, FL. They remained active, social, and always enjoyed having their many children and grandchildren visit.

Preceding Roger Sturtevant in death were his parents, sister Jean Sturtevant Dunn; gentle wife and loving mother to their children, Martha Bert Sturtevant; brother-in-law J. Boyd Bert Jr.; and son-in-law Fred Dailey. 

He is survived by his kind and caring second wife of 20 years, Nancy Baldwin Sturtevant; sister-in-law Joan Bert; daughter Susan Sturtevant Dailey, Houston, TX; sons Roger Jr. (Kathy), Bridgetown, NS, Canada; Robert (Peggy), Plymouth, IN; and David (Sue), Mercer Island, WA. He is further survived by stepdaughters Patty Baldwin (Brian) and Carol Baldwin Geiger (Mike); stepsons Daniel Baldwin (Karen) and William Baldwin. Roger had several nieces and nephews, eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, each of whom he deeply loved.

Memorials are welcomed in favor of: United Way of Erie County, https://www.unitedwayerie.org/give-now and The Erie Philharmonic Orchestra, https://eriephil.my.salesforce-sites.com/donate/?dfId=a0n0H00000Q1IE9QAN

A funeral service for family members will be held in early May at Luther Memorial Church. Burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery. An informal reception for friends and family will be held Friday May 2nd at 1:00 PM at Lake Shore Country Club.

The Burton Quinn-Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc., Downtown website will be kept current on details. Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com.