PAT HOLMES STERBENZ
Dr. Pat Holmes Sterbenz, a longtime resident of Larchmont, passed away quietly Saturday, July 26, 2008 after being hospitalized for several weeks. Dr. Sterbenz was born on July 30,1927 in Ohio.Dr. Sterbenz met Nancy Norton, the woman he was to marry, while studying at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware Ohio. Both Pat and Nancy earned Bachelors of Science degrees from Ohio Wesleyan and Dr. Sterbenz went on to earn a PhD in Mathematics from Ohio State University. Following that he began work in the emerging field of computer science.
Pat and Nancy have been together ever since their marriage in 1949 successfully raising five children. Dr. Sterbenz specialized in mathematics and as a computer scientist at IBM made significant contributions to the early development of computer science. He left IBM in the early 1970's to become a respected professor of Computer and Information Science at Brooklyn College in New York continuing his contributions to computer science and mathematics.
Pat balanced his life as a devoted husband and loving father. He lived a full life with poise, placing family first in the midst of a busy and fruitful professional career. He is remembered by all as a good friend, neighbor and family man. He was known to have a wonderful sense of humor and was always quick to enrich a conversation with a clever humorous comment. While his interest in mathematics and computer science remained his dedication his other interests and hobbies varied over time; these included golf, bridge, crossword puzzles, and square-dancing.
Pat is survived by his wife Nancy, his five children, and five grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, August 4 at The Larchmont Avenue Church 60 Forest Park Avenue Larchmont, N.Y. 10538 (914) 834-1800.