March 27, 1933-October 15, 2024
Burt was the oldest of three boys born to Bernard (Ben) Stern, who immigrated to the U.S. from Poland through Ellis Island at the age of 18, and Rose Turner Stern, who was a baby when her family immigrated to the U.S. from Sweden through Canada. Burt spent his early years in Chicago, Illinois, until his parents moved the family to Oxnard, California, in June 1945, where his dad worked in a hardware store and his mom worked in the cafeteria at the grade school.
Burt was a letterman athlete in high school, where he did track, football and baseball and was voted MVP of his high school baseball team. After high school, he attended Oxnard Junior College for one year before volunteering for the draft and joining the army during the Korean War. Burt served his Army days at Tooele Army Depot, Utah. While he served his country, Burt also played baseball (second base) with the Air Force team, also stationed at Tooele.
After his military service, Burt used the G.I. Bill to earn a business administration degree from California State University at Fresno. In 1959 he took a job with Lockheed Aircraft Company in Burbank, California, as a computer programmer. He retired 32 years later as vice president of IT for Lockheed Martin, overseeing a staff of over 1,500.
While working at Lockheed he met Sue (also a Lockheed employee), and they were married on July 5, 1969. Burt and Sue have two children, daughter Stacey and son Matt.
Burt and Sue traveled extensively. Over the years they set foot on all seven continents. Some of their most interesting destinations were China, Egypt, Iceland, Machu Picchu, Peru, Dubai — and the list goes on.
Burt and Sue discovered Ridgway on a vacation trip in 1993. They purchase their lot in Pleasant Point, built their home and made the move permanent in July 1995. Burt really enjoyed life in Ridgway, where he and Sue made many friends, participated in local activities and were awed by the beauty of the mountains.
Burt was preceded in death by his parents and two younger brothers, Rick and Larry. He is survived by his wife, Sue; his daughter, Stacey, and her husband, Tom Wood; his son, Matt, and his wife, Lianne Stern; and his granddaughters, Megan and Kaela Stern.
A celebration of life will be held at the United Church of the San Juans (UCSJ) on Saturday, May 10, at 2 p.m. The service will be followed by a reception. UCSJ is located at 295 N. Lena St., Ridgway, and all are welcome.
