Aging with Purpose: Jerry Stein’s Mission of Love

Written by Danielle Glorioso

Jerry Stein may have opened our interview by proudly mentioning Ohio State’s national football championship (his wife and several other family members are proud graduates of the university), but it quickly became clear that what really lights him up is not trophies or titles—it’s relationships. Jerry is the son of Sam and Rose Stein, whose generosity and foresight helped establish the Stein Institute for Research on Aging. Decades later, Jerry is not just honoring their legacy—he’s living it. As we study the science of successful aging, here is Jerry, offering a living example of what that truly looks like.

At 89, Jerry exudes energy and optimism. He’s made thoughtful changes to his diet—cutting back on red meat, eating more chicken and fish. “I allow myself pizza four times a year, cheeseburgers maybe one per month. The further I get from those foods, the easier it gets.” He’s also committed to regular physical activity, biking 30-40 miles a week around the Miramar Reservoir, and occasionally adding longer rides at Mission Bay or Coronado. A lifelong athlete, Jerry was a competitive swimmer and weightlifter in his youth, and continued in a master’s swim program well into his 50s.

But Jerry’s philosophy on aging runs deeper than diet and exercise. “My mission is to demonstrate the power of loving relationships,” he says. “That means treating others the way you want to be treated—genuinely wanting the best for them.” That principle has guided him not only in his personal life, but in business, in leadership, and in the many organizations he has helped build and support.

One of his most impactful efforts is his long-standing work with Casa de Amparo, a shelter for abused, abandoned, and neglected teens. What began as his wife Sharon’s volunteer commitment became a major life project: Jerry formed a committee, helped to raise over $12 million, acquired a property, and built a 12-acre campus in San Marcos. The center provides care not only for abused teens, but for young adults transitioning out of the foster care system—offering stability, education, and job support. “Without intervention, too many of those kids will struggle,” he says. “This gives them a chance to build a real life.”

Jerry and Sharon have been deeply involved in over two dozen charitable organizations, including Rady Children’s Hospital, Elizabeth Hospice, Vista Hill’s Stein Education Center, and more. “My dad introduced me to Vista Hill,” Jerry says. “It’s personal. These aren’t just causes—they’re relationships.”

That spirit of connection is perhaps most moving when Jerry talks about Sharon. Married since 1960, they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in May. “She’s been my partner in everything,” he says. “Our love has made everything more meaningful.” Their family (four children, ten grandchildren, two great grandchildren) remains close, gathering multiple times a year at their cottage in Huron, Ohio where both Jerry and Sharon grew up.

Now living in a Senior Living Community in San Diego, he notes that many residents talk about their legacy. “It’s about the kind of story I’m continuing to tell.” That story is one of service, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the value of human connection. The Stein Institute was founded by a family committed to understanding and enhancing the aging experience. How fitting, then, that Jerry Stein—son of Sam and Rose—is not only carrying that legacy forward, but living it fully.

Here at the Stein Institute, we are honored to carry forward the work made possible by Sam and Rose Stein. And we are moved to see, in their son, the embodiment of everything we hope aging can be: purposeful, joyful, connected—and full of love.