Phillip Leroy Sturholm

Phil Sturholm (Phillip Leroy Sturholm) of Bothell, WA, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, August 23 2016.  He was born May 19, 1936 in Enumclaw, WA.  He was the son of the Late Phillip Gust and Delores Francis (Eaton) Sturholm.

Phil is survived by his wife of 58 years, Janet Fay (Wood) Sturholm; son Phillip David Sturholm and wife Diane; daughter Suzan F. Sturholm and husband Peter Gamba and three grandchildren Jessica Gamba, Aaron and Travis Sturholm.          

Phil graduated from Oregon State University then served his country in the United States Army, obtaining the rank of Captain. After completing his service in the Army, Phil had a successful professional career in television news.  He started working at KING-TV in 1961 as a cameraman and working his way into management (Chief Photographer then Executive Producer).  Film and motion pictures was always his first love and he mentored many reporters, editors, and film cameramen during his career.  He played a big part in KING winning the NPPA “Station of the Year” award in 1979, 1981, and 1982.  In 1984 he went to work for PM Magazine in San Francisco, then returned to Seattle in 1986 to work at KIRO-TV as an Executive Producer/Editor.  After retiring from television news in 1993, he taught broadcast writing and production at Seattle Community Colleges and Seattle University.

Throughout his 35 year career, Phil won 32 regional Emmy Awards, two Peabody awards, and a Dupont Award for his news photography and filmmaking. In 1993 he was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle: a prestigious honor given to exceptional journalists with a minimum of 25 years’ experience. It was said of him that “He saw life through a viewfinder and never worked a day in his life”. 

Phil was a long time member of St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Bothell, WA.  Phil loved to travel, spend time with his family and always loved a good Cigar.