May 14, 2003

Online auction benefits Sturtz

TCAPS employee battling ALS disease

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
       Slurred speech was the first clue to Bob Sturtz that something was wrong.
      In January 2001, feedback from colleagues about his speech prompted a visit to the family doctor. Confirming that something was awry, his doctor initiated extensive testing that through the process of elimination pointed to one thing: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS. Lou Gehrig's disease, named for the famous baseball player who died of the illness at the age of 37.
      Two years after that phone call, Sturtz faces ever-increasing loss of mobility and the ability to communicate. Losses he compensates for as best he can with technology, his own strength of character and the love of family and friends.
      "It's a very weird condition, in that you don't feel bad, yet you can't walk, talk or even shake hands properly," said Sturtz via e-mail. "The type I have is called sporadic, meaning that it hits out of the blue with no genetic basis. What causes it is unknown."
      ALS is an illness surrounded with mystery that seems to have one certainty: it is 100 percent fatal in between two and five years.
      A teacher by training, Sturtz is the supervisor of instructional technology and media for the Traverse City Area Public Schools. During his 25-year career he has touched many lives. He taught science and social studies for five years at the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools before joining TCAPS. There, he worked at a number of schools before become an educational technology specialist for West High School and five elementary schools.
      In his current position, he makes sure that students have the programs and applications and technology needed for their education. Despite his illness, Sturtz continues to work, using technology to communicate or attend meetings remotely.
      "Bob has always been what I would call a visionary type of person," said Bob Hicks, a TCAPS co-worker. "He always keeps the students number one every day he comes to work. He's an inspiration to us all - even through this, he continues to do this."
      Now the community has turned out in a veritable stampede to help the Sturtz family by flooding an online auction with items for sale. The online auction will run from May 14-21 and the participating websites are www.tcaps.net and www.gtauto.com. The money raised will help cover expenses not covered by health insurance.
      The items range from recreational, sports memorabilia and lodging to personal items, clothing and entertainment. You name it, they've got it, said Jayne Mohr, TCAPS assistant superintendent of quality school development.
      "We have been overwhelmed by the number of community members who have come forth to offer items in this auction, I think it says a lot about Bob Sturtz and his family and what they've done for the community," Mohr noted. "Also we have never tried an online auction but felt that would be appropriate since Bob is supervisor of technology."
      Sturtz and his family are deeply moved by the show of support from the community. He and his wife, Mary, a nurse at Munson Medical Center, and their three children have pulled together during his illness, but the ongoing outpouring of love also sustains them.
      "My best friends are my family and they are dealing with this situation with love and humor," Sturtz said. "At the same time we are aware, however, that there are others in our TCAPS family that are experiencing similar kinds of upheavals. Our thoughts are with them."
      An Open House to kick off the auction will be held on Wednesday, May 14 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Grand Traverse Auto. Items up for sale will be displayed. Cash donations to help the Sturtz family are also accepted at the auction sites - www. tcaps.net or www.gtauto.com - or by mailing a check to the Bob Sturtz Family Fund to Barb Sullivan, TCAPS Boardman Building, 412 Webster St. Traverse City, MI 49684.