Reader submitted
Mar 17, 20211 min
R. Sterling Harwell, 83, Belvedere, passed away peacefully Friday, March 5, 2021, at Marin Post Acute Center, San Rafael.
Sterling was born in Chicago, IL, May 28, 1937, to Richard S. and Hazel Kappstein Harwell. He graduated from Latin School of Chicago, received a B.A. from Yale University, an MSc in Civil Engineering from Northwestern University, and an MBA from New York University.
In 1974, Sterling moved to San Francisco and joined Bechtel Group, where he worked until retiring in 2002. Sterling married Gail Petersen in 1993, and they lived in San Rafael and then Belvedere.
Sterling had many international assignments and enjoyed his work in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia and other areas. He and Gail traveled extensively and enjoyed many cuisines and cultures. While living in Marin County, he was active in civic and nonprofit work. He and Gail were members of the Belvedere Tennis Cub and the San Francisco Yacht Club.
Sterling is survived by his wife, Gail, and his brother, Lee M. Harwell of La Crosse, WI. A private family observance will be planned in the future.