Alexander Sturm

Alexander Sturm
Born(1923-06-23)June 23, 1923
Westport, Connecticut, U.S.
DiedNovember 16, 1951(1951-11-16) (aged 28)
Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S.
Alma materYale University
Occupation(s)artist, author, entrepreneur
EmployerSturm, Ruger & Co.
Spouse(s)Paulina Longworth
(m. 1944–1951; his death)
ChildrenJoanna Sturm
Parent(s)Justin Sturm
Katherine McCormick

Alexander McCormick Sturm (June 23, 1923 – November 16, 1951) was an American artist, author, and entrepreneur who co-founded in 1949 the American guns maker Sturm, Ruger & Co.

Early life and career

Sturm was born in Westport, Connecticut, to sculptor, author and Yale football star Justin Sturm and Katherine "Kit" McCormick. He had one younger brother, Justin Jr., known as "Dusty".[1] Kit's brother Alexander Agnew McCormick Jr. was a World War I officer and pilot.[2][3]

As a writer and artist, he was known for his two illustrated children's books—The Problem Fox, and From Ambush to Zig-zag. A reviewer for The New York Times described The Problem Fox as "marvellous", and "a little masterpiece."[4] Although Sturm preferred to stay indoors, he was an accomplished polo player.[5]

Sturm, Ruger & Co.

He is best known today for his co-founding of Sturm, Ruger & Co. in 1949 prompted by his interest in guns and his friendship with William Ruger. Ruger provided the technical know-how as a gunsmith, and business acumen; Sturm provided the company logo and all of the financial backing for starting the business.

Marriage

During World War II, Sturm was an officer in the Office of Strategic Services[6] in Washington D.C. While in D.C., he met Paulina Longworth.[7] Sturm and Longworth married in 1944 and had a daughter.[8] The couple lived in Sturm's home in Westport.[3]

Death

Sturm became ill in 1951 with viral hepatitis and died after a ten-day stay in the hospital. He was 28 years old. The Sturm, Ruger trademark, which had been a red eagle, was changed to a black eagle by his friend Bill Ruger to mourn the death of his business partner.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Felsenthal, Carol (2003). Princess Alice: The Life and Times of Alice Roosevelt Longworth. Macmillan.
  2. ↑ "Miss McCormick and Justin Sturm Will Be Wed on June 24," Chicago Daily Tribune, June 14, 1922; "Chicago Flier Dies in Battle, Another in Fall," Chicago Daily Tribune, October 1, 1918.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Justin Sturm, Sculptor and Author, Dies," Chicago Tribune, August 8, 1967.
  4. ↑ Wilson (2008), p. 38.
  5. ↑ Wilson (2008), p. 22.
  6. ↑ Wilson, R.L. (2008). Ruger & His Guns: A History of the Man, the Company & Their Firearms. p. 23. ISBN 978-0785821038.
  7. ↑ Yardley, Jonathan (October 21, 2007). "A Roosevelt who married one politician and bore another's child". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  8. ↑ Wilson, R.L. (2008). Ruger & His Guns: A History of the Man, the Company & Their Firearms. p. 24. ISBN 978-0785821038.
  9. ↑ "Bill Ruger of Brooklyn". NY Press. August 6, 2002.

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