Sherman Titens, who wrote the Family Ties Online column on Thinking Bigger Business’ website, passed away last week at age 81.

Sherman was a longtime consultant who specialized in family businesses and nonprofit organizations. He taught graduate-level classes in marketing and business management at Webster University. He also was a prolific writer on family business issues and had a passion for helping those companies with succession issues.

Thinking Bigger Business is grateful for Sherman’s service to Kansas City’s small businesses and expresses condolences to his family. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Stacey Titens; daughter Joan Titens; and three grandchildren: Marissa Wizig, Hayley Wizig and Josh Titens.