Kurt Amundson Obituary

Kurt Amundson
July 30, 1952 - February 8, 2014
Resident of San Mateo
Kurt Edward Amundson, 61, of San Mateo, beloved father, brother, uncle and friend, former U.S. Navy Seal and accomplished Silicon Valley business executive, passed away at Mills Peninsula Hospitalon Saturday, February 8, from extended illness following a surgery last fall.
Kurt is survived by his two children, Erik, 17, and Sophie, 13, of Menlo Park and his two sisters, Anne Marie Kniel of Orinda and Trudi Amundson of Richmond, as well as his brother-in-law Chris Kniel and his nieces and nephew, Kurt and Karen Kniel and Molly and Robin Cohen. He is also survived by his dear companion Eileen Olmos of San Mateo, a source of constant support throughout his illness.
Named CFO of the Year for Private Companies twice, first by the San Jose Business Journal in 2011 and again by the San Francisco Business Journal in 2012, Kurt had been CFO of fast-growing video camera company GoPro of San Mateo from 2009 through 2013. In his role he helped to steer GoPro from a startup to tremendous growth and success worldwide. He held similar senior financial and executive positions at a number of Bay Area companies, with more than 20 years' experience as a CFO for companies including Proxim, Inc., Abaxis, Metra Biosystems, Shaman Pharmaceuticals and Adesso Healthcare Technology. He began his career at Price Waterhouse in San Jose in 1980, following his graduation from Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo. He spent four years prior to college serving for the U.S. Navy from 1972 - 1976, including his time in the SEAL special forces unit.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Kurt relished the wealth of California's natural wonders throughout his life, from surfing in the waters of Santa Cruz as a teenager to skiing in the Sierras, hiking in Yosemite and the many Peninsula Open Space parks, diving in the Monterey Bay and riding his bike with his kids around the waters of Foster City. He especially loved the water, being an accomplished swimmer, SCUBA diver and sailor. He was also a world traveler, avid reader and politics and history buff. His generous spirit, dynamic personality and love of sports were celebrated by his many friends and colleagues.
A celebration of Kurt's life will be held Friday, Feb. 21 at 2:30 pm at GoPro Headquarters in San Mateo.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Navy SEAL Foundation, which Kurt loved and generously supported, with the mission of providing assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and their families.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Feb. 12, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Kurt Amundson

9 Entries

Eileen Olmos

July 28, 2018

Happy Birthday, July 30th. You always called me your angel but you truly were mine.
You know that I always feel you near and can still feel your giant arms around me. Such a place of comfort, always.

February 8, 2015

Thank you for your entries into the Legacy guest book. Kurt died exactly one year ago on a day much like today. (rainy) It is hard to grasp that a year has passed because the events are still so vivid. I think about my brother all the time. I appreciate the words about his life. Your thoughtful entries help us to know him better.

Berry Gibson

November 20, 2014

My heartfelt condolences to Kurt's family and friends - I was staggered to hear of his passing. I served in the Navy with Kurt in the 1970s when he was assigned to Light Photographic Squadron SIXTY-THREE Det 5 at NAS Miramar in San Diego, CA. I recall his enthusiasm and ambition to be a SEAL. Even though I never saw him again once he left for his training, I am proud to have served with him and of his success in life. I held the highest regard and respect for Kurt. Again, please accept my sincere sympathy.

Peter Hulme

July 29, 2014

I was more than shocked to see this notice appear when I typed Kurt's name into Google this evening. I served with Kurt on board the USS Constellation. We were Photographers. He had amazing ambition back then. He surprised all of us when he announced that he was going to SEAL training. He persuaded me join 3 book of the month clubs back then so as keep my brain stimulated while we were at sea. Somehow exercising with Kurt was a test he always got us to push ourselves to the next level.After he joined the SEALS (1973)or so, we never saw each other again until I ran into him in Palo Alto in 2001 or thereabouts . It was really a treat to hear about all that he had accomplished,it also came as no surprise,he was a driven individual. He was a good man.

March 2, 2014

Erik, Sophie and Eileen-- I knew Kurt for over 20 years as a client. Since he worked at GoPro, he became a client again, and we also became friends. Erik and Sophie, your dad loved you both, and Erik, your dad and I discussed your baseball career. He was very proud of what you accomplished and your earning a scholarship. Eileen, I know he appreciated your love and support.
My condolences to all of you. We will all miss him.
Sincerely,
Steve Sawyer
Woodruff-Sawyer & Co.

Breanna Michaels RN

February 22, 2014

Dear Eileen, I will never forget you and Kurt. It was an honor to have met you both and will always be impressed by the love you shared.

Bill Waggoner

February 13, 2014

Kurt, I appreciate the time we spent together. I hope you are in a better place now.

Harris

February 12, 2014

Erik, Sophie, Anne Marie, and Trudi - We are so very sorry for your loss. Such an accomplished, soft-spoken person with so many smiles and so much love for his family. Out thoughts are with you. Love, Matt, Janine, Keller and Kai

Anne Marie Kniel

February 12, 2014

I am missing my little brother so much.

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