byLarry Eder
Nic Bideau, long time coach and advisor, sent this story: ” Sonia O’Sullivan was running the Honolulu road mile and could not find her shoes. Tom gave her his pair and she won! Tom noted that those shoes would never run faster.”
Pat Devaney noted: ” Tom and I had a lot of fun while at Reebok. We traveled alot and I have many fond memories of my friend.”
Mark Bossardet, one of Sturak’s long time business associate, noted that ” We have many fun times with Tom, and many fun stories.”
Victah Sailer, noted photographer, said of Tom, ” Lots of great meals and lots of fun traveling. Lots of fun, but not printable stories.”
Joe Henderson, noted writer and running commentator, noted on the Friends of Tom Sturak site, ” I am proud to say I knew you at your best, and you always gave your best.”
A Ph.D in English Literature, Navy veteran, father, husband, training partner, agent, coach, adviser, friend, Tom Sturak has a sense of humor that could rival anyones, his knowledge of the sport was tremendous and his ability to read athletes, fight for athletes was unrivaled. Tom Sturak, like all of us, was looking for that perfect race, and perfect run. Perhaps that is why he came back to the sport for all of those years.
Close your eyes and think of him running, laughing, telling a story. He will be with you always….
Jacqueline & Tom
http://www.santamonicadispatch.com/2011/05/tom-sturak-athlete-and-scholar-dies-at-79/
Obit courtesy of Santa Monica Dispatch:
http://www.santamonicadispatch.com/2011/05/tom-sturak-athlete-and-scholar-dies-at-79/
Tom Sturak, Athlete and Scholar, Dies at 79
Tom Sturak, runner, editor, teacher, sports journalist, consultant and agent has died from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 79.
A dedicated track and field pioneer and enthusiast for over sixty
years, his love of running was matched by his passion for literature,
art, and contemporary music. He always had stories to tell, issues to
rail against and causes to support.
A Navy brat, Tom lived all over the United States before his parents
finally settled in San Diego. There he attended Point Loma High School
where, as a pipsqueak freshman, he discovered his love of running. As
he told the story, “I ran the 660. They didn’t make shoes small enough
for me. I ran my first race barefoot, and ran last the entire distance. I
guess that’s what you would call inauspicious beginnings.”
At San Diego State University he trained under Charles ‘Choc’
Sportsmen, who encouraged his athletic aspirations, and where he set six
school records and was twice conference champion. He also edited the
college newspaper and graduated with a major in Journalism.
He was a charter member of the San Diego Track Club, ran for the Los
Angeles Track Club, and ultimately was one of the founding members of
the Southern California Striders.
After two years of service in the Navy during the Korean War, he
pursued graduate studies in English Literature at UCLA. His doctoral
dissertation was the first study of American “hard-boiled” fiction
writer, Horace McCoy. He earned his PhD in 1967.
Tom worked as chief editor of the computer sciences department at the
Rand Corporation between 1966-70. He taught English, literature and
technical writing at Santa Monica College, Cal State LA and UCLA. In
1977, he was hired by Nike in a position that gave him the opportunity
to blend his skills with his passion. He was Director of Running
Promotions from 1980 to 1983 and traveled extensively on the
international running circuit, developing personal and profound
relationships with many world-class athletes. He was their devoted
advocate and supporter; their struggles and triumphs became his. From
1983 until his retirement, he continued his work with and for athletes
through Reebok, and as an independent sports agent.
Tom contributed more to his sport than he ever took away. He spent
countless hours volunteering to direct numerous track meets and road
races across the country, including being the Co-Director of the LA
Olympic Marathons in 1984.
Tom was an innovative thinker and an astute observer of society. His
cantankerous, sensitive soul shaped and enriched his relationships with
family; his keen intellect and appreciation of the absurd enlivened his
many friendships.
He is survived by his wife Jacqueline Hansen, former wives Carman
Cunningham and Carolyn See, daughters Katharine and Clara Sturak, son
Michael Sturak, step-daughter Lisa See, and four grandchildren: Yara,
Eloise and Marius Mignon, and Dashiell Chandler.
Photos courtesy of Friends of Tom Sturak facebook site.
http://www.
