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Donald R. Stertzer, 85, died Thursday, Dec. 7, at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, with family members at his side.

Stertzer was born to the late Frank and Margaret Stertzer in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 27, 1931. His strong work ethic developed at a young age. When he was 12, he got his first job at a pet store in Columbus and later served in managerial roles at a local grocer through college. He enrolled at The Ohio State University and earned his bachelor's degree in business. He remained a Buckeyes fan for life.

Stertzer served in the United States Air Force and left with an honorable discharge in 1958. He kept everyone laughing for years with stories of his days in the Cessna T-37 trainer/attack plane that was anything but a “smooth ride.”

His subsequent career included leadership positions at Weekly Reader and Xerox Publishing before he moved to Jefferson City in 1983 as vice president of Distribution for Scholastic Publishing. Stertzer especially enjoyed the people he worked with and sought to make the working environment the best it could be. He built a highly productive team that helped improve and grow operations dramatically for Scholastic until his retirement in 1997. Stertzer Road, located near Scholastic Publishing, was named after him--a true honor and testament to his favorite Vince Lombardi quote: “Winners never quit and quitters never win.”

After retiring, Stertzer spent many winter months enjoying the sunshine and beach in Naples, Florida, with his wife of 27 years, Barbara Stertzer, who survives at their home in the peaceful hills of Lohman, Missouri.

In addition to his wife, Stertzer is survived by three sons, Brian Stertzer of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (wife Carol); Dean Stertzer of Boulder City, Nevada (wife Joan); and David Stertzer of Colleyville, Texas (wife Carol); a step-daughter, Susan Griffith of O'Fallon, Missouri; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. His sister, Rita Brown, lives in Washington Courthouse, Ohio. He has many nieces and nephews.

Stertzer was preceded in death by several loved ones, including his parents and brother, Harold Stertzer, of Punta Gorda, Florida.

He was active in the community until advanced stages of Alzheimer's kept him from doing some of the things he enjoyed. Until recent years, Stertzer was a loyal member of First United Methodist Church. Previously, he was involved with the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary International and many other community organizations.

Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, followed by a memorial service at 1:00 p.m. with the Reverend Karen Taylor officiating. Graveside services with military honors will be held at Riverview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org), 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or Hospice Compassus, 3050 I-70 SE, Suite 100, Columbia, MO 65201.

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