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David Sterling Obituary
Port Crane - David Kellam Sterling, 85, of Port Crane, NY, passed away after a short illness on March 16, 2019. This sweet husband, brother, father, teacher, and beloved Papa Dave was a bright light in the universe that will continue to shine through the many he inspired in countless ways. His love and endless enthusiasm for life was infectious and his generosity in sharing what he learned enormous. David never walked a straight line and so enjoyed the many detours that led to new discoveries. He celebrated beauty in the world and had a thirst for learning until the very end. His interests were eclectic and numerous from tree identification, knife sharpening, bird watching, Chenango Canal restoring, harmonica and shakuhachi playing to marble sculpting, model railroad building, fly fishing, didgeridoo making, Ikebana flower arranging and so many more.
David always strived to make the world a better place. He volunteered for the Peace Corp and taught science to high school students in Malaysia from 1963-65. Upon his return home, David began his forty year career teaching biology at Broome Community College. In taking his students on field studies to identify birds, trees and wildflowers or to appreciate the glacial history of rock formations, he instilled in them his love for nature and ensured there would be future stewards of our land. Many have carried on his legacy as biologists, environmentalists, bird lovers, and backyard gardeners.
David leaves us with full hearts. He would want us to share our passions and aspirations with anyone who has forgotten that this life, this world, is a gift to be embraced. To David every life is meant to be lived well, creatively and lovingly. He would have us leave this world better for man and beast alike.
David was predeceased by his parents, William and Vera Sterling, his brother John Sterling and his grandson Ethan Boyers. He is survived by his loving wife Jan Peterson-Sterling, his sisters Diane Jensen and Linda Bull, his children Rachel and Richard Boyers, Sarah and Eamonn O'Neill, Eric and Ann Marie Peterson, Kirsten and Gerard Griffin, his ten grandchildren, CC, Trey, Ona, Talia, Maya, Riley, Donovan, Eli, Lorcan and Cormac, and his close nephews Chris and Michael Sterling.
Join family and friends to remember David on Saturday, March 23 between 2:00 and 4:30 p.m., with a time for sharing at 3:00 p.m. at the Art Gallery on the main floor of the SUNY Broome Library. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Nature Conservancy.
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Memories and Condolences
for David Sterling
Sponsored by the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin.
Mary Thomas
March 11, 2020
Dear Rachel, I am sorry it has taken me so long to send this message. I so enjoyed interacting with your father over the many years we connected through our love of plants. I enjoyed reading more about his life. Time certainly does move along as it seems like yesterday when you and I worked together. My sympathy to your family.
Sincerely, Marywren Thomas
Lora Bouton
June 5, 2019
David Sterling was my favorite professor throughout all of my college years. He taught me to love the outdoors and sparked my interest in biology. He is why I pursued a degree in Environmental and Forest Biology. He will forever hold a special place in my heart. So sorry for your loss.
BCC graduate 1993
Sean Walsh
March 24, 2019
So sorry to Jan and the Sterling and Peterson clans. What a one-of-a-kind wonderful person he was. Thought I would share a memory of Dave. When I was a teenager, I remember planning a bicycling adventure with my buddy, Mike Sterling, Dave's nephew. The plan was to ride from my house in Endwell to Uncle Dave's house in Port Crane. I think we then continued on to Chenango Valley to camp, but I don't clearly remember the details. These were days before the internet and GPS and we didn't really know where Dave and Jan's house was located, so Dave agreed to meet us at a rendezvous point on Route 369 somewhere. When we arrived, we discovered Dave's car, but no Dave. We stood around a while scratching our heads until one of us spotted him. He was standing in a field at the edge of the woods, hundreds of yards away, staring up into the trees. We waited for him. And waited. And waited. It became obvious that it was going to be a while, so we trudged out into the field through the mud, prickers and nettles to see what he was looking at. As we got closer, we heard a ferocious buzzing sound that got louder and louder as we approached. We soon saw what had attracted Dave's attention. Thousands of bees were clinging and swarming around a tree branch. Dave explained to us that they were honey bees that had recently split off from their colony because it had grown beyond capacity. He told us that we were looking at about half the original colony and that this was a temporary place to gather until they found another suitable home. He spotted the queen mother bee among the bees on the limb and pointed her out to us. She was slightly bigger and longer than the other bees. He pointed out the scouts that would fly off into the forest looking for a new hollow tree to relocate to. He explained that they would return when they found a potential nest site and dance for the colony, which he said was like an elevator pitch to sell the new real estate. Eventually, one of the scouts would successfully sell their location and the colony would relocate to that new site. It strikes me that I don't remember a damn thing from that cycling adventure. But, nearly 40 years later, I vividly remember Dave Sterling's serendipitous ecology lesson. And if that isn't the hallmark of a master teacher, then I don't know what is. I will always carry wonderful memories of Dave Sterling with me. I'll be reminded of him whenever I set off into the woods or walk the towpath along the old Chenango Canal.
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Lee Ryan
March 23, 2019
Best educator I ever had. I am sure I am not alone in that. My condolences
Ruth Thomson
March 23, 2019
Dear Jan: I'm so sorry to find that Dave has left us. II hope you are well and I know you're own life is full as was Dave's. I recall some very nice moments we all shared. Take care. Ruth Thomson
Ric Warner
March 23, 2019
Jan and family,
There are teachers who teach, and there are teachers who teach and touch your life. David was definitely the latter. I went to BCC a little bit later in life and had many world experiences from different prior jobs, he recognized that in me and treated me a bit differently. He had a wonderful sense about him, as well as knowledge of the natural world and taught me many things. I spent a whole summer with him in biology classes. His field trips were the best. I looked forward to them every day. I met up with him later in my life and he actually sought me out to spend time with me talking about the natural world. I landed a great job in the environmental field, partial thanks go to Dave, and he would tell me that I was teaching him now. I will miss him dearly, he was the best.
Heaven has just gained a superb naturalist.
Ric Warner
Pam McCarthy
March 23, 2019
Rachel, we are sending love and light to you and your family from your VFN family. So very sorry to hear of your dad's passing.
Peace and happy memories to you and yours, Pam
Sharon Wheatley-Kotson
March 22, 2019
Linda and Family,
Sorry to hear about the passing of David. What a lovely tribute to a man who was an inspiration to many and enjoyed life to the fullest. May you all hold dear to your heart all the special memories that you all shared throughout this journey.
Thomas Sterling
March 21, 2019
David was my oldest cousin. He was always so mature and knowledgeable about so many subjects. His easy going style reminded me of his father, my uncle Bill. I am sure he was a very good teacher. He will be missed by all of those people who were lucky enough to have shared life with him.
Janet Hancock
March 21, 2019
What an incredible man to call your father, Rachel. Im so sorry for your grief and loss. Your beautiful family must have given him great joy. You all hold each other now sharing memories and your heartbreak. Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time,
Jan
James Hull
March 21, 2019
I was not and probably never will be very "studenty", but one of the bright spots in my complicated relationship with schools, classes, labs and learning was the time I spent in the presence of Professor Sterling. I have very fond memories of our field trips and his passion for nature. I am grateful to have known him for a brief time.
Bob Earle
March 20, 2019
Recently, there was a posting in Historic Binghamton about BCC and Pro. Sterling's name came up in the conversation. There were many complimentary postings, mine being one of them. I graduated in 72 but still have vivid memories of his passion for teaching and the way he related to to his students. I went on and got a teaching degree and had memorable professors at SUNY Plattsburgh but Prof. Sterling will go down as one of my favorites. Hopefully his students' memories of him will give you some solace at this difficult time.
Arlin and Nancy Cable
March 19, 2019
Our deepest sympathy to all David's family, he was a very special man and will be missed by all those who had the privilege of having him touch their lives.
Arlin and Nancy Cable
Brooksville, Florida
Bette Jayne Wheaton
March 19, 2019
Our prayers are for your family, our dear neighbors in Port Crane for 15 years. Wonderful memories & all the joy we had with you.
May your memories be a Blessing to you.
Love, Tom and Bette Jayne Wheaton
Jill Quigley Knorr
March 19, 2019
I have such fond memories of Dr. Sterling from my time as his student at BCC. He was a lovely man who was inspirational in so many ways. ❤
March 19, 2019
We are saddened to learn of the passing of David, but grateful for his service to our nation with the Peace Corps in Malaysia.
Our Condolences,
The National Peace Corps Association
March 19, 2019
Fond memories of Dave, he was a true gift
Brother-out-law. Paul Y
March 19, 2019
Fond memories of Dave, a true gift.
Brother-out-law Paul Y
Grace Novack
March 19, 2019
In the night of death, hope sees a star, and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing...
Thanks David, for being you, being kind to my kids, and me.
Michelle Ireland
March 19, 2019
Jan and Families, I am so so sorry for the loss of such a great man. Many wonderful memories to hold on to to keep you strong. A life time of them to keep near and dear to your heart. May David R.I.P.
Lisa Ostrom Amanda Rick
March 19, 2019
We are so sorry for your loss Jan , family & friends . Sending hugs to you all.
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