SCHOOL NEWS
| MUSCATINE COUNTY, IOWA SCHOOL NEWS | |
Transcribed, as written, by Beverly Gerdts on June 25, 2019Page 85
JIM STURMS Jim grew up in South-end and lived at 1301 Oregon Street (Now the Casey Store) until 1946. He did attend Old Garfield along with his brother, Don and sister Jean. They all live in Muscatine, Iowa. Following is a brief biography of Jim.
A FOND FAREWELL On December 31, Jim Sturms is retiring as Executive Director of the Muscatine Family YMCA. A native of Muscatine, Jim grew up as a "Y kid", spending countless hours in the 1930's and 1940's at our old location at 312 Iowa Avenue. After high school and college he chose the YMCA as his career. Including in the first thirty-one years of that career were leadership positions over seeing the turnaround of two Iowa YMCA's, including the construction of new facilities at each location. The last ten years have been dedicated to doing the same thing in Muscatine. When Jim arrived in 1986, the YMCA was still located on Iowa Ave, its building outdated, membership dwindling to less than 1,000 and finance in difficult shape. As he walks out the door this December the Muscatine Community Y will have over 6,000 members, one of the finest facilities in the country and a $2,000,000 endowment. Jim's impact goes well beyond new facilities and increased memberships. Seeming to wear a perpetual smile, he has been an ambassador of good will, thoughtful leadership, and unwavering support for the principals on which the YMCA is built, Jim has always been a gift giver, whether it is providing a membership for a needy child, sharing a vision for a new facility to serve the community better, or simply offering some kind words and a pat on the back when they are needed. Through it all he has expected nothing in return other than the satisfaction of helping someone else. Jim, we can't thank you enough for all you have done. You will be in our hearts and minds as we carry on your dreams for the Y. We hope, as you so often said, "The best is yet to come" for you and Barb in the years ahead.