`THANKS, GRAMPS': VOLUNTEER READER, 81, HONORED BY `GRANDKIDS'

He entered the building, then turned quickly to the left and headed down the hall. His pace indicated he was on his way to an appointment, although he slowed now and then to give a child who beckoned a smile and greeting.

Eight faces turned to look and smile up at him as he entered the room. One little boy tugged on his sleeve as he passed, so he tucked his small, red and green stool under his arm and leaned down so the child could whisper in his ear.

"Happy birthday, Mr. Sturm."

Ferd Sturm was treated to an 81st birthday party complete with homemade cards and cake Thursday by his grandchildren. Not his real grandchildren -- he only has one and she's an adult. These were the 16 "grandchildren" he reads to every week as a volunteer at Jefferson Elementary School.

Sturm has been a volunteer reader at the school since August. Each Thursday he visits Ann Freeman's third-grade class with a small stool that was given to his wife 75 years ago by her father. His routine is the same with each visit: He sits on the stool, gathers all of the children around him and spends about a half hour reading stories with a deep and expressive voice.

"The kids just love him," Freeman said. "He just gives the grandfather image and I knew he'd be great around the kids."

Freeman said she's known Sturm for many years and asked him to volunteer in her class because he's always shown so much interest in children. He takes his job as a volunteer seriously and has developed special bonds with many of the students, she said.

Sturm, who retired after working nearly 50 years with the departments of corrections and probation and parole, said the students are like family to him. The classroom visits are fun, he said, and help to keep him active and feeling young.

"I remember when I thought 80 was old, but age is a state of mind and you're as old as you feel," he said. "I appreciate the little ones and this just seemed like it'd be a good idea."

Sturm also is active at First Christian Church and chairs the youth committee for the Exchange Club of Cape Girardeau. Besides sharing a love of reading, he said he also tries to express values to the kids and help them to appreciate each other. It's especially important for the boys in the classroom to see him reading, he said.

"There's a tendency for kids, particularly young boys, to think it's not cool for men to read," he said. "If nothing else, I can convey to them that it's fun and okay to read."

Although the reading material has changed much since Sturm read to his children and grandchildren, he said he plans to continue volunteering as long as he's able. People can continue learning throughout their lives, he said.

Besides, it's fun.

He said he's doing for these children what he once loved doing with his own.

"It's nice to be a granddad again."