Brewster Sturtevant, 89, a lifelong resident of Longmeadow, a retired insurance executive and local historian, passed away on Jan 14 at home.
He was a retired partner of the Mutual Insurance Agency in Springfield.
He served in both the Navy and Reserves for nearly 30 years during the Korean & Vietnam wars. He retired with the rank of Commander.
Born in Springfield, MA, he moved to Longmeadow in 1933. He attended Center School and was a graduate of Classical High School in Springfield. He was also a 1952 graduate of Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, and was a member of the Dartmouth Club of the Pioneer Valley.
He was a member and longtime supporter of First Church of Christ, and served as a church deacon and was the church’s historian at the time of his passing. He was also a board member of the Longmeadow Cemetery Association, a former president of the Longmeadow Historical Society, and a member of the Longmeadow Historic District Commission. For several years, he conducted cemetery tours of the old burial ground at Longmeadow Cemetery during Long Meddowe Days.
He had a great love of the Connecticut River and had a strong desire to protect the Connecticut River watershed. He served on the board of trustees of the Connecticut River Watershed Conservancy.
He was a founding member of the Field Club of Longmeadow and served on the Murrow Committee of the Janet and Edward Murrow Society at WGBY public television in Springfield. He was also a member of Springfield’s Century Club, Colony Club, and MelhaShrine Temple. He was a longtime supporter of Historic Deerfield, Mystic Seaport, the Child and Family Service Association and the Baystate Medical Center Pulmonary Rehab Unit.
He and his late wife, Ann (Hathaway) Sturtevant, who died in 2009, were longtime supporters of the Springfield Library and Museums Association, and served the organization in several capacities over the years. They were active with the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Springfield History.
After Ann and Brewster were married, they spent their honeymoon on Cape Cod. Cape Cod remained special to them and they continued with their annual visits throughout the years. After Ann’s death in 2009, Brewster continued to visit North Truro where he spent time fishing and being with friends.
He leaves two sons, Dwight B. Sturtevant of Massachusetts and Kent H. Sturtevant of Florida; a brother, Windsor Sturtevant of Oregon, two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
His service will be Tuesday, February 4th, 11 a.m. at First Church of Christ, followed by his private burial in Longmeadow Cemetery with full military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to: The Connecticut River Conservancy, Development Dept., 15 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA, 01301; The Springfield Library & Museums Association, Development Dept., 21 Edwards St., Springfield, MA 01103; or to Baystate Medical Center Pulmonary Rehab., 280 Chestnut St., Springfield, MA 01199.
Please visit www.TazziniFuneralHome.com to sign Brewster's guestbook.