Starr Culver Weihe Sherman

Dr. Starr Sherman passed away peacefully on December 13, 2016 at Canterbury Tower in Tampa. She was 79. Starr was born on April 10, 1937 in Salisbury, Maryland. Her father was the editor of the Democratic Messenger and her mother wrote the publication's society column. From age 6 to 14 Starr wrote the weekly column titled Starr Reporter which chronicled the young childrens' news from the backyards of her hometown of Berlin, Maryland. She then covered the teenage activities throughout Worcester County. She never ceased to love Berlin where she grew up and she made many visits there throughout her lifetime. Following high school graduation from St. Mary's Seminary (now known as St. Mary's College of Maryland), Starr attended Hood College where she majored in journalism and the sciences. She graduated from Hood College in 1959. She was accepted into the Beta Beta Beta national honor society of the Biology Academy. Based on her performance at Hood College, Starr was awarded a scholarship to study at Duke University's marine laboratory at Beaufort, North Carolina. Starr earned a Master's Degree in Zoology from Duke University. She then earned a Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University. Her doctoral dissertation included the development of a model for a biology course that would prevent duplication with elements in multi-collegiate programs. Starr moved to St. Petersburg in 1961, where she taught at the newly established Florida Presbyterian College (now Eckerd College) as a biological science instructor in the Natural Sciences Department. During her years as a biology instructor she was instrumental in developing curricula for the biological and physical sciences. Starr coordinated student research across campus lines to laboratories at the University of South Florida Marine Science Department and the Veterans Administration Center at Bay Pines. Other professional activities included serving on the Advisory Board of the Magnet School Assistance Grant and the Center for Advanced Technologies at Lakewood High School and the SAC Visitation Committee for Clearwater High School. Starr received nation-wide honors as a recipient of the National Teaching Excellence Award. In their book titled Shared Vision - A Study in Excellence, renowned educators Dr. John Roueche and Dr. George Baxter cited her teaching techniques and their application to large lecture classes. She was also recognized in the Who's Who of American Women. While Leningrad, Russia still lay largely out of contact behind the Iron Curtain, Starr managed to arrange a personal visit in the mid-90s to the President of Leningrad University, Rector Stanislav Merkuriev and conveyed an invitation from St. Petersburg Junior College President Dr. Carl Kuttler for a visit. The Rector came to St. Petersburg later that year accompanied by Anatole Sobcheck, the Mayor of St. Petersburg, Russia. Starr retired from St. Petersburg Junior College in 1993. At President Kuttler's request, she returned as Acting Director of the Science Department from 1996 to 1997. Starr held memberships in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Institute for the Advancement of Science, the American Institute of Biological Science, the American Association of University Professors, the American Association of University Women, the Florida Academy of Science and the Florida Association of Community Colleges. Starr was a member of the Board of Trustees of the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts for 12 years where she served as Secretary and member of the Executive Committee, and Chair of the Committee on Office of Trusteeship. She also served on the search committees for selection of the Director in 2000, and selection of the architect for the Hazel Hough Wing. Starr was a member of the Board of Trustees of Community Action to Stop Abuse, and she served on the Eckerd College Library Committee. She held memberships in the former St. Petersburg Symphony Guild (now the Florida Orchestra Guild), the Pinellas County Dental Auxiliary, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the St. Petersburg Country Club, the Vinoy Club, and the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Starr found time to indulge in her personal interests in classical piano, English history, art and art history, and world travel while volunteering for community service. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she served on the Scholarship Committee, and Meals on Wheels. Starr married Dr. Rudolph Weihe in 1967. Dr. Weihe was a leader in the Florida dental profession. He passed away in 2009. In 2010 Starr married Peter Austin Sherman, who passed away in 2016. She is survived by three step-children and their spouses: Sally Weihe Wheeler and her husband Duke in Largo, Florida, R. Geoffrey Weihe, DDS, and his wife Anne in Tampa Florida, and Bruce Arthur Weihe, J.D. and his wife Lisa in Ft. Lauderdale. Her surviving step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren are Gregory Wheeler and his wife Donna in Ocala, Florida, Geoffrey Wheeler and his wife Hollen with their children Reagan and Hutchin in Midland, Texas, Taylor Weihe in Brooksville, Florida, Christian Weihe and his wife Lora with their children Jake and Luke in Tampa, Florida, Brooke Edge and her husband Dustin with children Violet and August in Kentucky, Katherine and her brother William Weihe in Idaho, Laura Weihe in Atlanta, Georgia, Alexandra Weihe in North Carolina, and Dana Thompson in Gainsville, Florida. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. The family gives its heartfelt thanks to Joyce Mitchell of Canterbury Tower and caregivers Peggy Prince, Coller Williams, Indiana Williams, and Bay to Bay Assisted Care for their exceptional dedication. A memorial service will be held at the Anderson - McQueen Funeral Home at 2201 Dr. MLK Street, North in St. Petersburg on Saturday, January 28 at 11:00 a.m. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Starr's name to the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts or LifePath Hospice.