Phillip “Phill” Sturdevant, 89, of Ankeny passed away peacefully on May 9, 2025, at Kavanagh House in Des Moines.
Visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 am on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd), followed by a short memorial service at 11:30 am. During a luncheon from noon to 1:00 pm, also at the funeral home, sharing of stories is welcomed. Interment will occur at a later date at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Phill was born May 7, 1936, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Frank and Hulda Sturdevant. He started high school in Atlantic, Iowa, and graduated from Minden High School. Phill earned a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Iowa in 1960 and was a Hawkeye fan throughout his life. After graduation he was employed by the University Hospital as a staff pharmacist for a year then joined Lutheran Hospital in Moline, Illinois, as chief pharmacist and later became director of Pharmacy and Purchasing Services. Shortly after earning his MBA from Saint Ambrose University, he was promoted to director of the Materials Management Department for Lutheran. Phill went on to serve in a similar role at hospitals in Phoenix, Arizona; Burlington and Ottumwa, Iowa.
Family was very important to Phill, raising four daughters over a span of 45 years. He will be remembered as a prime participant in hijinks at family reunions and weddings. He nurtured an extensive garden and enjoyed hunting mushrooms and black raspberries. In his middle years, he was an avid runner and bicyclist, helping expand the Moline Criterium bike races to include runners. His later years were enriched by his Mallard Creek neighbors and the Ankeny Senior Center. He was an active member of the church in all of his communities.
Phill is survived by his daughters, Carla (Jeff) Schumacher of Ankeny, Paula (Todd) Rees of Amherst, Massachusetts, Sarah (Richard) Raymond of Salado, Texas, and Maggie (Juan) Sturdevant of Rogers, Arkansas; grandchildren, David and Brian Schumacher, Taylor, Jack, and Joe Rees, Garrett and Logan Wise, and Mateo and Oscar Solano Sturdevant; his siblings, Frank (Carol), Dick (Margaret), Penny, and Laura; his ex-spouses, Ann and Laura; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other loving family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Hulda Sturdevant; his brothers, Fred, Jerald “Jerry”, and Daniel “Danny”; and his sister, Sharon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Kavanagh House, Des Moines, IA, or the Ankeny Senior Center.
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Sending love and heartfelt condolences. Your Dad's kindness and warmth will always be remembered. Holding you and your family in my heart. With sympathy, Hana Steinke