Bill Stirling

Born in Gainesville, Florida in 1942, second oldest among five siblings. Son of an itinerant Episcopal minister of Scottish nationality and a poet/teacher. Lived all over the South and graduated from Palm Beach HS in 1960. Graduated from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee., cum laude, 1964. Majored in Political Science, minored in English and was President of the student body.

Served in the Peace Corps in Kenya from 1964-66, only one year after the Mau Mau insurgency had ended. Saw this service as a peaceful alternative to the American War in Indo China. Worked with farming co-op associations made up of a tribe, closely connected to the legendary Masai people, mostly working with cattle. Climbed Kilimanjaro and spoke Kiswahili everyday for two years.

Returned to America and moved to NYC and entered Union Theological School, a non-denominational seminary, which was the east coast center of the anti-Viet Nam War movement. Reinhold Neibuhr and Paul Tillich were on the faculty. Testing this spiritual and religious milieu was the only way to be sure this could be his life’s vocation.

Left the seminary in the summer of 1967, and became an English teacher in a series of different store front schools for high school dropouts in Harlem. Co-organized and led the African Summer in 1968 and took 25 of store front drop-outs back to Africa for three months. The experience was a mind bending connection with their roots.

In 1969 co-founded Identity 69, aka College Discovery, at Ft. Dix, N.J., which was a college prep course for returning Viet Nam G.I.’s. Placed the graduates in the junior college system of the City University of New York. At the same time garnered an independent study M.A.T. in urban education from Montclair State University, N.J. The master’s thesis traced the subsequent academic performances of Identity 69 graduates in the NYC community colleges.

In July 1969 married a co-Identity 69 teacher, a brilliant, winsome, and innovative thinker, named Terry Turek. Bill’s father married them in NYC at a small Episcopalian church on W. 126th St., West Harlem, on the very street Bill had been living.

Moved to Aspen in 1972 with Terry on a self-styled sabbatical from east coast teaching with every intention of returning to NYC within two years. Sabbatical still underway 36 years later. Was a bartender, dump truck driver, carpenter, property manager, substitute HS teacher in social studies, small business entrepreneur in property management and real estate. Divorced from Terry in mid-70’s, as laissez-faire Aspen in the 70’s was not easy on a newly evolving marriage. Remains good friends with Terry to this very day. Started Stirling Homes, Inc. in 1978, an Aspen real estate brokerage, property management and real estate company. By 1987 SH, Inc. was the second biggest property management firm in Aspen. Sold off the property management division in 1991. Celebrating 30th anniversary of the company this year. Stirling Homes, Inc. is devoted to working tirelessly to match the right property with the right client.

In 1986 married the love of his life, Katharine Thalberg, after a nine year courtship. Married by brother Douglas Stirling in the lobby of the Hotel Jerome. She was a writer, radical feminist, animal rights activist, and founder/operator of Explore Booksellers and Bistro, which was Aspen’s cultural and literary center. Katharine was Bill’s campaign manager for elections, editor of his speeches, letters and columns, moral compass of the community and mother of his three fine stepdaughters: Ashley, Brooke and Deva Anderson. Bill raised Deva together with Katharine from 1977-86. Was stretched and inspired in everyway by this lover, best friend, political ally and business colleague for 29 years.

Has been a life long political activist. Was a Jesse Jackson delegate to the 1988 National Democrat Convention in Atlanta. An Obama delegate to 2008 Colorado State Convention in May. Was Mayor of Aspen 1983-91 and overcame an unsuccessful recall effort in 1990, which was inspired by disgruntled citizens unhappy with his progressive programs. Sponsored or co-sponsored ground breaking land use, historic preservation, and environmental ordinances. Was considered controversial by his Realtor colleagues, as he took a long term view of Aspen’s best interests and resisted short term, business oriented fixes. Co-founded the Community Office of Resource Energy in 1994,aka CORE, which brought wind power to Colorado and helped form the American chapter of Peak Oil. Devotes any time away from his business to changing the currents of Climate Change. Currently chair of a citizen’s Task Force appointed by the City Council, charged with analyzing the historic preservation programs of the City of Aspen.

Was President of the Aspen Board of Realtors, 1978-79. Was Vice President of the Colorado Association of Realtors, Mountain District, 1981-82. Taught a course on the Western Slope, named “marketing mountain resort properties.” Sold the legendary Sardy House in mid 1980’s, which was one of the early million dollar deals in Aspen. Is very knowledgeable about Aspen and Pitkin County’s land use codes. Was Aspen’s first Realtor of the Year and was awarded the Colorado Association of Realtor Political Achievement Award in 1988.

An enthusiastic skier, climber, hiker, tennis player, and golfer. Is an animal rights activist and owns two rescue dogs. Was together for 29 years with Katharine Thalberg, until her death in 2006. Remains in close touch with his three successful stepdaughters. Ashley has her own public relations firm in Santa Barbara; Brooke is VP in charge of Communications for the NTI (Nuclear Threat Initiative); and Deva is Music Supervisor for films working out of Tom Hanks’s Playtone offices in Santa Monica. Is a voracious reader and lover of classical music, rock and roll and independent films. He still introduces authors and leads book discussions for the new owners of Explore Booksellers in his spare time.