Hale Sturges II, 75, of Boston, MA & Harpswell, ME, died on October 14, 2014 after a 15 month battle with appendiceal cancer.

In addition to his wife of 52 years, Karen Steffensen Sturges, he is survived by daughters, Meg McDermott and Annie Gatewood, their husbands, Jay McDermott and Bob Gatewood, grandchildren, Jake, Peter and Ben McDermott, Julia and Ellie Gatewood, brother, Sheldon Sturges, brother in law, Jon Steffensen and sister in law, Liz Frantz Steffensen. Hale was predeceased by his parents, John Braddock Sturges and Hilda Ware Sturges.

Hale graduated from Milton Academy 1956, Harvard University B.A. 1960 and Middlebury M.A. 1965. Hale began his career at Middlesex School teaching French and Latin, coaching hockey and baseball, while serving as a dorm master from 1960-1965. He continued his career teaching French at Phillips Academy, Andover until he retired in 2004. During his time at Andover, Hale served as Chairman of the French Department and Chairman of the Foreign Language Division, as well as being a varsity baseball coach throughout and a house counselor for 22 years. He held the Beinecke Foundation Faculty Chair for 21 years and served as Vice President and President of the Cum Laude Society.

Hale authored 3 French text books, Une Fois Pour Toutes, Encore Une Fois, and Par Tout Le Monde Francophone. In addition, he wrote a sociological study, The People of Pleure: Portrait of a French Village.

Hale served on the boards of The American Memorial Hospital, Reims, France, (president 1998-2011, director 1993-2014) and Mother Caroline Academy, Dorchester, MA for two terms.

In retirement, Hale continued to teach and share his love of the French language and literature through Beacon Hill Seminars, where he taught courses in French and English, as well as serving as Vice President of the board and a member of the curriculum committee. He also taught English as a second language to recent immigrants. Until his illness, he recorded books every week at the Learning Ally. He shared his passion for the Boston Red Sox with all, but particularly his grandchildren.

A memorial service will take place Saturday, November 15, 2:00pm at Cochran Chapel, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hale Sturges Scholarship Fund, Phillips Academy, 180 Main Street, Andover, MA 01810.

Published in The Boston Globe on Oct. 19, 2014