Keith Norval Sturdevant

Keith Norval Sturdevant (1921-2014) STURDEVANT, KEITH N, age 93, passed away at home on August 14. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife and life-partner Helen (Danner) Sturdevant. He is survived by his sons Douglas Payson (Nancy) Sturdevant, Roger E. (Norma) Sturdevant; grandchildren Rebecca, Elizabeth “Beth”, Robert “Rob”, Ryan (Giselle)and Jason (Morgan) Sturdevant; and great-grandsons Tristan and Aidan D’Ottavio. Keith was born in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1921. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor degree in Music Education in 1942, and after the war earned a Master in Music Education in 1947. In 1941 he was voted an “Outstanding Bandsman” in the Rose Bowl Parade, and was also president of the University’s chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. It was at the University that he met and married the love of his life, Helen. They were married in May 1942, and several weeks later Keith enlisted in the Army Air Force with the express purpose of becoming a primary flight instructor. He was assigned to Mustang Field near El Reno, Oklahoma where he also organized an all-church choir of high school age students to perform for afternoon services at the First Presbyterian Church. He was later assigned to Buckley Fields near Denver, Colorado and was discharged from the Army in October 1946. After returning to Lincoln for graduate studies, he and Helen moved to Gordon, Nebraska in 1947 where he began his first public-school position as the vocal-instrumental music teacher. While in Gordon, Keith also directed the First Presbyterian Church Choir and organized and directed a Community Chorus. In 1949, Keith and his family moved to St. Joseph, Michigan where he taught Junior/Senior high school vocal music. He also directed the choir for what later became the First United Methodist Church of St. Joseph. In 1954, his family of four moved to Ferndale, Michigan after being appointed Supervisor of Vocal Music K-12 and Director of Choirs for Highland Park High School and Junior College. His school choirs became renowned throughout Michigan, and toured regularly throughout the State. They also performed for conventions and conferences of organizations such as the National Association of Secondary School Administrators and the National Association of School Boards. Keith organized and conducted the All-State Choir sponsored by the Michigan School Vocal Association (MSVA), was Treasurer of the Michigan Music Educators Association, and was “review editor’ of new choral publications for the MSVA Journal. Keith was a member of the Rackham Choir that performed with the Detroit Symphony for performances with Music Director Paul Paray and guest conductor Robert Shaw. In 1969, Keith became Director of Music for the City of Ferndale Public Schools. Upon retirement in 1979, Keith and Helen spent winters in Sun City, Arizona where they were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Sun City. Summers were spent on Drummond Island, Michigan where they had been coming since 1963. In May of 2001, they became permanent residents of Drummond Island enjoying the visits of family, friends and many former students. The Sturdevant family expresses gratitude for the exceptional love and care he received from the hands of Joyce Meyers, Nancy Black, Mary Anderson, Dorothy Larrabee, Loren Deal and Christine Cordray FNP-C. The family also wishes to thank Sheri Walker RN, the Drummond Island Ambulance Service and EUP Home Health & Hospice. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, August 22 at 12:00 Noon at the Drummond Island Township Hall, 29935 E. Pine Street on Drummond Island. Memorial contributions may be sent to E.U.P. Hospice, 308 W. 12th Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.

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Keith Norval Sturdevant

February 12, 1921 - August 14, 2014