FULTON, NY – Dr. Kenneth A. Kurtz, 95, of Oswego, formerly of Fulton, entered this world on August 25, 1920, and departed 95 years, 7 months and 29 days later on Saturday April 23, 2016.
He was the son of the late Arthur and Joyce Montague Kurtz and grew up in Syracuse, NY.
In his youth, he attended Syracuse city schools, had his own chemistry and photography labs and was active sailing with the Sea Scouts.
While attending Syracuse University College of Medicine at the start of World War II, he, like all dental and medical students, was drafted and assigned to complete school.
Ken received his Doctorate in Medicine in September 1944, entered active duty in July 1945 and served in the U. S. Army Air Forces as Captain in the 11th Airborne Division.
Following a shortened tour of duty in Japan with the occupation forces he was honorably discharged in 1947.
Ken became a Board Certified surgeon and was named a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons on November 19, 1954.
Ken married Alice Jane Peterson on March 17, 1951.
They lived in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., before moving to 188 S. Third St., Fulton, in 1954 where he established a private practice with privileges at A. L. Lee Memorial Hospital becoming a prominent surgeon and physician in Fulton for many years, retiring in 1989.
After retiring, he became a member of the Fulton Rotary Club serving as president and becoming a Paul Harris Fellow.
He was a longtime supporter of the Fulton Y, serving on its board as well as on several others.
Ken was known for his generally cheerful demeanor, his love of reading, wine and beer as well as his love of jokes – both good and bad.
Surviving are his four children, Guy Kurtz of Bleumont, Va., Evan (Tracy) Kurtz of Dryden, NY, Noel (Laura Hogan) Kurtz of Ithaca, NY and Monica (Jim) Dinan of Arlington, Va.; brother, Bruce (Judy) Kurtz of Tidy Island, Fla.; sister, Nancy Ramsden of Navarino, NY; eight grandchildren, Emily, Jacob, Matthew, Kaitlin, Gabriel, Jennie, Stephanie and Alison; three great-grandchildren, Max, Jackson and Lucy; and 14 nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Jane Kurtz, in February 2004.
Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 27, and 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 28, with a service of remembrance to immediately follow at Foster Funeral Home, 910 Fay St., Fulton.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to The Rotary Foundation, the Fulton Y or the Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse.
Foster Funeral Home, Inc.
www.fosterfuneralhome.com
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Many years ago he operated on my appendix before it burst, I was twelve and scared and he assured me he would make me better! Never got to say “Thanks Doctor Kurtz” rest in peace!
A great man and friend. He touched many lives. Sorry for your loss.
He was a truly amazing man~brilliant, skilled and a terrific individual~ his kind are rare~I am so sorry~