Obituary of Donald L Sturm

After a rich 92 years of life, Donald Lawrence Sturm passed away peacefully on August 17th, 2024.  Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1932 to Mark and Sophie Sturm (of blessed memory), Don attended City College of New York before being drafted into the army.  Upon discharge, he moved to Denver, Colorado to get his Juris Doctorate at the University of Denver before getting his Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University.  Don served as a trial attorney for the IRS before joining Peter Kiewit Sons’ Co. in Omaha, Nebraska.  Over his 28 years at Kiewit, he would rise to the role of Vice Chairman, leading the 1984 acquisition of multi-national conglomerate Continental Group, Inc., developing mines across Wyoming, and negotiating to build China’s first modern coal mine as it began its industrial development.  In 1987, he met and married his wife Susan Sturm (nee Morgan).  

Upon leaving Kiewit in 1991, Don and Sue moved to Denver and Don became an entrepreneur, real estate developer and serial investor, acquiring multiple banks in Colorado, Wyoming, and Kansas, which today form ANB Bank. He and his partners developed the 4,000-acre Meadows at Historic Castle Rock, a community that today houses over 20,000 people, and he kicked off the redevelopment boom in Cherry Creek with the redevelopment of the old Tattered Cover building and the creation of Fillmore Plaza.  He was inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame in 2022.

Don was always grateful for the opportunity his immigrant parents had to make new lives for themselves and their family in the United States, and never wavered in his steadfast belief that a committed individual could change the world for the better. His philanthropy shaped countless institutions across Denver and Colorado, including Judaism Your Way, the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law, Arapahoe Community College, the Jewish Community Center of Denver and many more. He leaves behind a legacy of high-impact philanthropy and a substantial Foundation focused on improving lives across Colorado.  

Don was known professionally for his sharp wit and sharper mind, his ability to think strategically and tactically, his negotiating skills and his personal ethics. As a person, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and a steadfast friend. He made the world brighter through his presence and he will be forever missed. 

Don is survived by Susan Sturm, his beloved wife of 36 years, his four children, Robert Sturm, Melanie Sturm (Marc Zachary), Stephen Sturm (Sydney Hodgson Sturm) and Emily Sturm Ehrens (Ben Ehrens), his grandson Zane Zachary, and an extended family whose lives he enriched through his kindness and belief in the meaningfulness of strong family bonds. He was preceded in death by his two sisters Helen Coel and Fern Haberman.

There will be a private funeral and memorial service. Donations in honor of his life and in memory of his work may be made to Judaism Your Way, 950 South Cherry Street, Suite 310, Glendale, Colorado 80246-2699. To leave a tribute in honor of Don, please leave a message on this website or send to 3033 E. First Ave, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80206.