Michael C. Gurtz

GURTZ MICHAEL CHARLES GURTZ (Age 36) Artist and poet, went to the arms of God on February 23, 2011. He was the third generation of his family to be born at Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington, DC. Graduating from Watkins Mill High School in Gaithersburg in 1992, he earned a BA in Studio Art from the University of Maryland in 1999, with an award for his senior exhibition. Mike was an Eagle Scout and later helped with Hurricane Katrina cleanup in a Louisiana scout camp. He enjoyed painting, sculpture and photography and self-published four art and poetry books. For many years, he helped at the Montgomery County Fair, where his mother was very active in the baked goods department. In recent years, he took Champion and Grand Champion awards for his art entries. He worked as an Exhibition Aide at the National Gallery of Art since 2007, particularly enjoying his work with visitors. Earlier, he was part time assistant manager at the Jane Haslem Gallery, and museum assistant for the art gallery at the Phillips Collection, both in Washington, DC. He also was facilities assistant for Rydex Investments. Mike was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed golfing, basketball and had season tickets for the University of Maryland football games for many years. He assisted his father in cataloging antique maps and sending out newsletters for the Washington Map Society. Mike raised corn and vegetables in his garden and was the master of the grill for family gatherings. Mr. Gurtz is at the Robert E. Dailey & Son Funeral Homes, P.A., 1201 North Market Street. There will be no visiting or calling at the funeral home. Mike is survived by a loving family - his parents, Dennis M. and Carolyn Gurtz of Gaithersburg, MD; and his brother, David M. Gurtz, sister-in-law, Amy and nephews, Owen and Theo of Hull, MA. He is also survived by two uncles and their families, Martin and Sharon Gurtz and their children, Ryan and Laura of Reston, VA and Charles and Ellan Spring of Middletown, MD and their children, Chuck and Lori Ann Spring of Society Hill, SC, and Jeff Spring of Middletown, MD. He will also be missed by a number of close friends and his beloved dog Gus. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 27, at 2 p.m. at Covenant United Methodist Church (address below). The family will receive friends an hour before the service and a reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mike's memory to the help the homeless at the Community for Creative Non-Violence, 425 Second Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 or to his church, Covenant United Methodist Church, 20301 Pleasant Ridge Dr., Montgomery Village MD 20886. online condolences at: www.daileyfuneralhomes.com www.daileyfuneralhomes.com