Sterner, George R., 1962, VADM USN (ret)

GEORGE R. STERNER, 1940-2025

George Sterner, VADM, USN, (Ret) VIENNA, VA - George R. Sterner, VADM, USN, (Ret), 84, of Vienna, VA, died November 29, 2024. Born in Ambler, Pennsylvania, to Rudolph Sterner and Bernadine Frankhauser Sterner, George is the eldest of four children. He attended Upper Dublin High School, worked on the family poultry farm, ran cross country and reached Eagle Scout level. He attended Penn State University on a Naval ROTC scholarship, graduating with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering with high distinction. While at Penn State, George met the sparkling Louise Terpak of Simpson, PA. They married in July 1963 and together experienced a 36-year career with the U.S. Naval Submarine Force that took him to oceans and ports around the world and shaped the family's adventures. George's career included command of two nuclear submarines and of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). While in the Navy, George attended the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA, and graduated with distinction with an MS in Operations Research (1968) and completed the Harvard Graduate School of Business Advanced Management Program (1985). George built a second career with Walt Disney Imagineering, Raytheon, and as a consultant. He served as a board member for Navy Mutual Aid Association and worked with the Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University. To his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, George was the guy who could build, fix, or grow anything; and always ready to talk through an idea. His wry one-liners and word problems around the dinner table amused and confounded. His charm and warmth will be missed by everyone who knew him. George is survived by Louise, his partner of sixty-one years; his daughter, Susan, son-in-law, Tyrone Turner, and their children, Nicolas and Eva of Arlington, VA; his son, Rob, daughter-in-law, Elena Rakova, and their son, Misha of Key Biscayne; his sisters, Ruth Ann Feil of Philadelphia, and Mary Ellen and Peter Wagner of Lansdale, PA; and brother, Charles Sterner of Hallsboro, NC; sisters-in-law Frances Terpak of Los Angeles, and Mary Terpak of Lovettsville, VA; and many amazing nieces, nephews and cousins. The family will host a celebration of life at 1pm Saturday, May 3, at Faith Lutheran Church, 3313 Arlington Blvd., with a reception to follow 2-4pm next door at Columbia Gardens. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation in George's name to the Penn State University Professor B. McCormick Academic Excellence in Aerospace (XCDMB) fund www.raise.psu.edu.