Sad News for Bloomington

Paul Sturm has died. He passed away on January 21st at his home-away-from-home in Kent, Ohio, from an apparent heart attack. Many of you know that Paul was working at Kent State University and spending much of his time in that community. He was the Executive Director for Corporate Relations for the university and had many close friends and contacts at KSU who understood his vision.

Paul came back to Bloomington as often as he could, where he felt he could truly relax and be himself. He has deep roots in the Bloomington community, where he spent decades involved in arts organizations, event production, and alternative music and media sponsorship. He was an early editor and sporadic contributor for the Ryder. He worked on numerous arts, music and dance performance projects with like-minded groups and individuals. He loved every minute of it.

In recent years Paul served on the City of Bloomington Arts Commission, he was on the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center Advisory Board, and supported the Lotus Festival and  Foundation.

However, his great love was composing. Paul grew up in a family of talented musicians, and he began creating new music as a high school student in Cincinnati under the tutelage of his beloved orchestra director, Dale Swisher. He studied composition at the IU Jacobs School of Music with John Eaton and Donald Erb. In recent years he worked closely with musician and composer Will Devitt. Those were the most prolific years of his life and were the air that he breathed. Will has been the perfect composing partner, matching skill and breadth of vision with Paul, and always urging him to go further, beyond what has ever been heard.

Public Memorial for Paul

February 22, 2020, from 2-4 pm
FAR Center for Contemporary Arts
505 W 4th Street, Bloomington

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the
Lotus Foundation at (812) 336-6599 or online at Paul Sturm Memorial Gifts.