Andrew Sterrett

Dr. Andrew Sterrett, World War II Army veteran and Professor of Mathematics at Denison University passed away May 22, 2021 at Middleton Senior Living in Granville at the age of 97. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Andrew and Bernice (Myers) Sterrett. Andy graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with an undergraduate degree in mathematics and earned his Master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in mathematics. He was a member of Sigma Xi.

During WWII, Andrew served in the European Theater with the 44th Infantry Division where he suffered multiple wounds and received the Purple Heart. He would later receive France’s highest award the Legion d’Honneur for his military merit as a Chevalier.

Andrew taught mathematics at Ohio University from 1950 to 1953 and at Denison University from 1953 through 1989 where he was Dean of the College from 1973-1978. He also taught seven NSF sponsored Summer Institutes for Secondary Teachers. He was recipient of a National Science Foundation Faculty Fellowship in 1959 which he spent as a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University. Additionally, he was a Visiting Scholar at the University of California at Berkley, the University of North Carolina, and was Interim Associate Director of the Mathematical Association of America in Washington D.C. where he was also an active member and chair of many committees. He co-authored several books and served as editor for multiple classroom materials.

Locally, Dr. Sterrett was a member of the Board of Education of Granville Schools and treasurer of the Baptist Church for many years. He enjoyed golf, bridge, and poker. His article “Gambling Doesn’t Pay” was published in the Mathematics Teacher.

Surviving are his son, Richard (Rikki) Sterrett; daughter, Susan Sterrett; “Nigerian son”, Dr. Dennis Eneanya (DU’75); stepchildren, Kauko (Judith) Aro, Ilkka Aro, Pirkko (James) McBride; seven grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Andrew was preceded in death by two exceptional women, Betty Baur Sterrett, his first wife of 43 years and Kaarina Baker Sterrett, his second wife of 22 years.

A private graveside service will be held at College Cemetery, Denison University where military honors will be rendered by the Licking County Veterans Alliance. A public reception will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at Whit’s in Granville where friends may enjoy one of Andy’s favorite treats.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mathematical Association of America, https://maa.org/donate,  Denison University, https://support.denison.edu/give or American Legion Post 398, P.O. Box 2, Granville OH 43023.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.

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