James R. Sternberg May 3, 1919 - January 12, 2013

Camp Sherman resident James R. Sternberg died peacefully at home on Saturday, January 12, 2013 with family at his side. He was 93. James was born to August and Wanda Sternberg on May 3, 1919 in Sunnydale, Washington. He was the second-youngest of five siblings.

After graduating from high school, Jim went to work for his artisan father, August. He learned commercial and residential painting and wood refinishing. Later, during the war, he would go to work for Boeing in Seattle, Washington as an engine mechanic working on both B-17s and B-24s. When the war was over, Jim met Estelle Hovland in Seattle, and after a brief courtship they married on July 3, 1947. They made their home in a modest apartment on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle. On October 1948 they welcomed their first daughter, Christine.

In 1953 the family moved to Bellevue, Washington where they acquired their first home on a five-acre rural parcel. It was named Phantom Game Farm where over 3,000 pheasants were raised, primarily to sell for various dog trials and to restaurants. In addition, the farm grew with a menagerie of animals, such as horses, sheep, chickens, pigeons, peacocks, geese, exotic birds and rabbits, to name a few. Later in 1974 the beloved farm would be sold to the City of Bellevue Parks and Recreation and the Washington Department of Wildlife, to create the Lake Hills Greenbelt Ranger Station Urban Wildlife Project. Part of the five acres also supports a community garden.

In 1954 the family grew by two with the birth of twin girls, Wendy and Wanda. In 1956 a son, Russell, was born to complete the Sternberg family. So with new mouths to fee, Jim took a job with Sunset Glass Company in Bellevue and would become a partner until he retired in 1979.

When the children were grown, Jim and Estelle briefly lived in Newport and Coos Bay, Oregon. In 1980 they moved to Camp Sherman at the beckoning of their oldest daughter, Christine, to be closer to family as well as a new job opportunity.

Jim assumed the position of caretaker for the Metolius Meadows Homeowners Association, which he held until 1990 when he retired a second time, and moved a short distance away to what was the old fish hatchery in Camp Sherman. Jim and Estelle were very happy on the 15 acres, enjoying the wildlife and carving out a niche for themselves, helping with the grandchildren, volunteering in the community, and helping neighbors and friends.

Jim was a master carpenter and learned so many artisan skills over his lifetime. Many signs locally in Camp Sherman were his handiwork. He enjoyed wildlife and was active most of his years. A sharp wit and practical jokes were his trademarks.

The volunteer project he was most proud of was introducing spring chinook and sockeye salmon into the Metolius Basin and the Deschutes Pelton Round Butte Project. He was responsible for caring for the fry until they were ready to be released. Two plaques, one for the year 2000 and 2001, commemorated his work.

James is survived by his brother Burdette Sternberg of Anacortes, Washington; a sister, Evelyn Fournier of Kent, Washington; sister-in-law Helen Sternberg of Seattle; his children Christine Sundquist of Camp Sherman, Wendy Boyer of Redmond, Oregon, Wanda Sternberg of Camano Island, Washington and Russell Sternberg of Eugene; 10 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents August and Wanda Sternberg, his brother Harold Sternberg, and sister Kathryn Triguerio.

A celebration of James Sternberg's life will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 1 p.m. at the Camp Sherman Community Hall in Camp Sherman, Oregon. Donations may be made in his name to Partners in Care, 2075 N.E. Wyatt Ct., Bend, OR 97701 and Black Butte School, Camp Sherman, OR 97730.