Prime time: He may be retired, but retiring? No way. Prime time: He may be retired, but retiring? No way. (May 26, 2004)

By Renee Batti
Almanac News Editor

His face is recognized by many in this community -- from young adults who decades ago were welcomed aboard the school bus he drove, to Menlo Park residents who have relied on him to taxi them to the library or the senior center. And also by local softball enthusiasts, who sometimes provoke a calm but firm warning: "Now don't talk smack, fellas."

Those who know Prime Sterling Sr. speak of his unwavering kindness and friendliness: Easy-going, and gentlemanly, he appears unruffled by life's little annoyances, and is always ready to trade you a smile for your own.

Although Mr. Sterling, 72, has retired from two public-sector jobs he held in the community and is now an East Palo Alto resident, he is still very much a presence on the Menlo Park scene.

For six years, he was the stalwart behind the wheel of the city-operated van that gives senior citizens rides to and from the senior center in Belle Haven. He retired nearly two years ago -- but couldn't quite give it up completely. Now, he substitutes for the current van driver when needed, and he transports seniors and disabled residents to and from the library for its monthly Saturday morning program.

He has many fans among library attendees and seniors, says outreach librarian Roberta Roth -- and she's one of them. "He is a joy to know," she says. "He is a wonderful human being, and is fantastic with seniors."

Mr. Sterling lived in Menlo Park for 22 years before moving to East Palo Alto, where he lives with his wife, Sandra. The two married about 20 years ago; Sandra, who has worked in the Ravenswood School District for some 31 years, now is head of the early childhood education program, Mr. Sterling says.

His continuing connection with Belle Haven goes beyond the senior center, where he often spends hours participating in programs and playing dominoes. A member of the Macedonia Baptist Church on Berkeley Avenue since 1977, he has served as deacon there for about 20 years.

In a era of bumper-sticker and TV-airwave religiosity, it's refreshing to talk to Deacon Sterling about his faith. He doesn't hesitate to talk about it when asked, but he doesn't proselytize. He believes in teaching by example, he says. "The Bible tells you: You live your life, and if you live your life right, people can see that, and be curious."

Before driving the van for the senior center, Mr. Sterling was a bus driver and jack-of-all-trades for the Las Lomitas School District in Menlo Park for 24 years. "I loved driving a bus," he says. "I loved the contact with children. I'm a people person, and the more people I have around me the better I feel -- especially children."

While his own kids were growing up and playing sports, he managed Little League teams. Now, he stays close to baseball by working as an umpire for the American Softball Association out of Redwood City. He umpires mostly slow-pitch for adults, but also fast-pitch for girls.

"Umpiring is one of the things I look forward to," he says. "I love the game -- I love being around it." When he gets yelled at, "I have to say, 'that's all guys -- one more time and that's it' And if they go on to talk smack, I say, 'all right, this is it, fellas.' Foul language is completely out."

Prime Sterling Jr., who benefited from his father's training many years ago when he was a Little Leaguer, plays softball with the ASA. Prime the umpire says sharing the field with Prime the player is fine with him. "I don't do any favors," he laughs.

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