George R. Sterner, VADM, USN, (Ret) 84 of Vienna, VA, died November 29, 2024.

Born in Ambler, PA, 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 Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship and graduated with high distinction with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering. 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, the USS Sturgeon (SSN 637) and the Trident submarine USS Florida (SSBN 728), and of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) where he was responsible for the design, construction and support of all Navy ships, submarines, and small craft. George also served on the USS Tullibee (SSN 597); USS Kamehameha (SSBN 642); the USS Archerfish (SSN 678), and the USS Henry L. Stimson (SSBN 655). In addition to NAVSEA George ‘s shore assignments included the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board and at the Pentagon. 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). He is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with three gold stars, the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, the Navy Commendation Medal with one gold star, Navy Expeditionary Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. 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 friends and family, George was known as an advocate and mentor to young professionals and scholars. 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; 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 Prof. B. McCormick Academic Excellence in Aerospace (XCDMB) fund at www.raise.psu.edu.

Announcement of burial services at Arlington National Cemetery to follow at a later date on www.storkefuneralhome.com