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Howard Sturim Obituary
Howard Sturim died peacefully in his home the evening of March 12th, surrounded by his three sons. He was married to Jeanne Sturim for 56 years and together they raised their sons in Barrington, RI. He was a loving husband and father, and friend to many. The family enjoyed summers on their sailboat and sailed extensively throughout the Northeast. After he retired in 1998, they moved to Providence and after Jeanne's death in 2018, he moved to Kettle Point in East Providence. For 21 years they spent half of the year in Sundance, Utah. There they skied in the winter, hiked in the summer, and enjoyed the beautiful mountains and local adventures and friends.
Howard was born in Astoria in Queens New York, to Edward and Rose Sturim. He attended Syracuse University and graduated at age 19. He then entered University of Rochester School of Medicine, graduating in 1957 at age 23. He trained in General Surgery at Barnes Hospital in Saint Louis Missouri and served as Chief Resident in 1965. His training was interrupted by serving 2 years of active duty with the US Navy, as a surgeon on Air Craft Carriers. He was the surgeon on the Super Carrier flagship "Independence" at the Bay of Pigs invasion. Following his active duty experience, he trained at the University of Pittsburgh in Plastic Surgery, completing his training in 1967.
He received his boards in both Surgery, and Plastic Surgery and was Chief of Plastic Surgery at Roger Williams Hospital, the Miriam Hospital, and for a time the VA Hospital. He was also on the staff of Rhode Island Hospital. He was a member of most of the prestigious Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery Associations, and served on the board of many of them. He authored 34 Medical Papers during his career.
When he came to Rhode Island the Brown Medical School was starting, and the training program in Plastic surgery was entering its second year. This was the only Plastic Surgery Program in New England at that time. He loved teaching and was a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at Brown University and Boston University.
He leaves three sons and their families, Douglas and Kris of Framingham, MA, Robert and Judy of Wenham, MA, Richard and Polly of Charlotte, VT, and his Grandchildren, Nicholas Jennifer, Lilly, Abby and Jake, and Elias and Sam.
Contributions in Howard's memory can be made to the Rhode Island Philharmonic, 248-7000.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Howard Sturim
Helena Sheusi
March 10, 2024
He is so missed. He had me laughing all the time. He enjoyed life!
Helena Sheusi
March 10, 2023
I miss Howard. He was such a nice person. He loved his boys. He talked about them all the time in the OR. A true family man. He made me laugh all the time. RIP Howard!
Tom Yuppa
August 7, 2021
RIP , you performed 2 surgeries on my face. Kind, compassionate and a great surgeon. I was a young man of 16 and now 65.
I Never forgot Dr Sturim, a true gentleman. My deepest condolences to the Sturim family
Irene Fischl
June 3, 2021
Howard was a respected colleague of my late husband’s, Robert Fischl.
Through the years we looked forward to meeting Howard and Jeannie at meetings, national and international, where we celebrated our friendship. Particularly noteworthy were a meeting in New Orleans where we found mutuality, and one in Venice, where we explored the city’ magic together. I smile when I think of them. Irene Fischl
dr henry Urbaniak
April 11, 2021
my sympathy to you and your family. Howard and I enjoyed many times together professional colleagues, fishing buddies -locally as well as Costa Rica, Venezuela, Africa- and many other activities with fond memories. I,as you bob ,rich and Doug will miss him sincerely. Henry urbaniak
Christopher Griffin
March 19, 2021
Truly, Howard had an insatiable thirst for knowledge - always reading and churning information. This appetite to know more, to interpret the facts or gain a viewpoint, and then express his opinion on the subject, always with a sympathetic, healing frame of mind - followed yet by a witty joke, is something I will miss about this man. He was one of our better citizens.
The Sexton Family
March 19, 2021
Our condolences to the Sturim family, especially Douglas, Robert and Richard. We have fond memories of the earliest days when your parents came to RI and settled in Barrington. My sister and I babysat the three of you---often. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Tom, Ann, Kathy and John
Cathy Cardillo
March 18, 2021
Dr. Sturim hired me as the medical staff coordinator in 1984 at Roger Williams Hospital. I was petrified of him. Quickly I learned he was a patient, wonderful man. He was truly my mentor. I had great respect for him always. My sympathy to his family.
Maria daGraca
March 18, 2021
This Doctor saved my wonderful mom’s life; he was and I am sure that now, he is an angel in God’s beautiful, blissful, divine and peaceful kingdom.Our sympathies , thoughts and prayers are with his family snd all other loved ones.The loss in f an earth angel in this crazy world is a profound loss for everyone.May his family find comfort and solace in fond memories and faith in God.Rest easy Doctor.We are eternally grateful to have had you in our life; many thanks again.The family of Mariana Jose daGraca
Kathy and Fritz Weinrich
March 17, 2021
Our sympathy to the Sturim ‘s, we remember him the first day that Jeanne brought him to Altenburg to meet the family. And we have such and many happy times and memories with Howard and of course Jeanne . We mourn their passing. Uncle Fritz and Aunt Kathy
Helena Sheusi
March 17, 2021
My condolences to the Sturim family. Howard was amazing! He taught me so much. We worked together at Roger Williams. I was a young OR nurse and he was so intimidating in the beginning. He ended up being such a joy! We had so much fun scrubbing on cases together. I will miss him.
Paul Hoffman
March 16, 2021
It's rare to see an obituary of a physician without Dr. in front of the name. I view that as a sign of great humility and decency. As the son of a physician, also born in NYC, who died recently at 96, and who also loved skiing and hiking, I extend my sincerest condolences to your family.
Joe passaretti
March 16, 2021
I was about eleven years old and caught my hand in the blades of a gas powered rotary lawn mower. My parents rushed me to Roger Williams Hospital where Dr. STURIM was in duty. Today, at the age of 62, I still have the use of my hand and all fingers, four of which were severed from the hand, because of Dr Sturim. He was truly a great doctor and the finest in his profession. May he rest in peace.
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