Bob Beall's Eulogy for Sterling
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By Robert
Sterling Beall, nephew
We are gathered here today to remember Sterling Colthurst. Tom Brokaw wrote a book entitled "The Greatest Generation". It was a summary of people and events who won World War II. They went through the great depression and developed strength that would shape their lives and have a lasting effect on generations to come. Sterling was a leader within this group. He was the youngest of eight children in the Colthurst household, headed by a local hero, his father Judge John Edward Colthurst, who was on the bridge of Admiral Dewey’s battleship USS Olympia, which led the American Fleet in the battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish American War. His father was a newspaper editor and judge in Solano County, CA, Sterling modeled after his father. He was able to read parts of the newspaper at 3 ˝ years of age. Sterling showed his leadership abilities in a variety of ways: He was an outstanding student at Oakland High School, where he was Student Body of President. He went on to University of Cal – Berkeley, where he was president of Sigma Chi Fraternity and Captain of the Varsity boxing team. He earned the title of 'Oakland Golden Gloves Champion', which provided him the skills to supervise a playground in a very rough area of Oakland, while he was attending college. Previous supervisors had been run off by bullies. After several encounters with Sterling, they complied with the playground rules. After he left the playground job, he heard about a security job for the World’s Fair on Treasure Island. He earned the position of bodyguard for celebrities including Stan Laurel –Oliver Hardy-Edward G. Robinson-Esther Williams and Errol Flynn. While Sterling was in graduate school and writing his thesis, in 1941, Pearl Harbor came, and Sterling volunteered for not just the Army –but the dangerous mission of the Army Parachute Troops and became a candidate for OTC. I remember many times, when Sterling was on leave, our living room became a demonstration for Sterling to show off his military tactics. During the war, Sterling was a part of the invasion army, which went through Europe. He landed at Omaha Beach and continued to a major battle for Paris, France. Upon being discharged from the Army, Sterling returned to civilian life and tried a variety of jobs, including working with his cousin Ellard Carson, in the sales force of Gerber Baby Foods. During this transition time, Sterling was drawn to his old fraternity, Sigma Chi. He met another war veteran—an x B-17 pilot, Ed Kempkey and introduced him to my sister Beverly. Ed became my brother-in-law. Sterling had the ability to command attention and respect. Whenever Sterling entered a room, the focus was on him. With his charisma and leadership qualities, he had a great influence on many people in his life. In my family, he was our tutor- our model-our hero. He was so respected and admired, that three members of the family are his namesake-myself, Robert Sterling Beall, my son, Robert Sterling Beall II and our grandson, Sterling Beall. Sterling felt a strong tie and commitment to the Army. Coupled with his investigative nature and this patriotic commitment, he decided to join the 430th Criminal Investigation Division of the Provost Office in upper Austria, which resulted in a turning point of his life. It was here he developed a secret admiration for a young –very attractive secretary, but being the private person he was, he kept his thoughts to himself. As Sterling always said, “it was love at first sight, but she didn’t know it.” At an office Christmas Party, he asked the young secretary to dance and made a surprise proposal of marriage, which she laughed off—but his perseverance rose to the occasion and he married Inge November 3, 1947. His contract with the Army expired in 1952, and he came to the United States. Sterling and Inge began their family – Alice, born in 1949, Michlene, 1953, and Linda, 1954. Qualities which made Sterling the greatest member of the greatest generation were his integrity, demonstrated in his investigative work for the DMV, his intellectual curiosity-depicted by his contribution to literary works in his spy novels—his courage as evidenced in his army career, his dedication and strong commitment to his family, friends, and colleagues—his patriotic truism to his Country—his religious faith --his perseverance in all aspects of life and work—his loving support of his brothers and sisters –his unforgettable sense of humor—his inner courage and strength, which radiated to everyone with whom he came in contact. The mighty Oak tree has fallen, but our memories of its strength, protection, and beauty will last throughout our lives. We will never forget our hero –the greatest of the greatest generation – Sterling Colthurst.
September 27, 2002
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