Robert Noel Sterling

Robert Noel Sterling was born on February 11, 1966 in Jamaica West Indies. He is the son of Robert and Joyce Sterling. On August 23, 2019 he passed away at the Lorine Rehabilitation Center in Columbia, Maryland.

In 1972, at the age of 6, he immigrated to the United States with his family. He grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland with his sister Audrey, where he attended Montgomery County public schools.

Robert was an outstanding athlete. While attending Northwood High School he played 3 varsity sports, football, basketball and Track and Field. He truly excelled in the football and high jump.

After graduating from high school he attended Montgomery College where he played football and was named the offensive player of the year in 1985 and was also named 1st Team All-conference. In 1986 he was recruited by University of Maine to play football on a full scholarship. He graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in Public Administration.

Having a strong passion for football, Rob was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 6th round his dreams of playing professional football came to fruition: NFL (1987 -1990) Philadelphia Eagles and for the New York Jets; He also played for the World Football League, the Orlando Thunder (1991-1992) and the Arena Football, the Washington Commandos League (1992 – 1993).

Upon retiring from football, Robert join the private sector working for Jackson & Tull Aerospace in Greenbelt, Maryland. In the lates1990’s he accepted a job with Ball Aerospace and relocated to Denver, Colorado. He received numerous awards and recognition program awards for his outstanding work in the aeronautics field.

While working at Ball, he attended graduate school and obtained an MBA at the University of Denver in Technology Management. He also obtained a Certificate for Corporate Entrepreneurship.

Robert also had a passion for coaching. During his time living in Denver he coached football for several youth teams at the Boy’s Club in Denver.

In 2010, he later moved to California to pursue his other passion, fitness. He started Sterling Fitness & Wellness 4U, where he trained clients to reach their optimum fitness and health goals. He found his new business to be very rewarding and was excited about changing people’s lives. Due to health reasons he relocated back to Maryland to be closer to his family.

Robert leaves to cherish his memory, his loving mother Joyce, sister Audrey, brother Paul (Andrea); brother Winston (Shirley); brother Trevor and sister-in-law Inie. Nephews, Kirk, Steve, Wickham, Junior and Travis; Nieces, Ashley, Shari-Ann, Daenia, Marcia and Charmaine,

Would like to acknowledge Rob’s faith friends, Pat, Tim, Robert, Scott, Steve and Tori over the years you have been a source of laughter and great friendship. I would like to thank you all for enriching his life.