Ernest Kurtz

"There was once a velveteen rabbit, and in the beginning he was really splendid..." I still see and hear you reciting in front a class at the Rutgers University Summer School on Alcohol Studies this wonderful fairy tale about being "real". And your book "Not-God" remains to me the most accurate definition of what a "real" human is (and is not!). Thank you, Ernie. Daniel Laguitton

I have a memory of a great human being, a loving man, a good friend.

He changed my life, helped me define it, and showed me it's meaning and purpose. A truly amazing individual.

I met Ernest Kurtz twice at the Rutgers Summer School of Alcohol Studies where he was teaching in the early nineties and I was in touch with him by mail on a few occasions since. I have kept an indelible memory of his vibrant teaching style and, most of all, of the substance of his teachings. If I had only one word to sum-up the wisdom he was trying to reach and communicate, I would use the title of his masterly history of AA : Not-God. By a mysterious alchemy, that word paves the path to...

Ernie will remain one of the people I will always cherish. He treated me like a friend and I considered him a mentor. This orthodox rabbi will forever remember the afternoon we spent together in Ann Arbor as very holy time spent in a very holy place. May his memory remain a blessing and inspiration for all who knew him. May you, Linda, find the comfort, support and consolation in the embraces of those who love you. - cyberhugs - Rabbi Hirsh Chinn

I'm not exactly which year it was--1978 or 1979, but it was in my first year of sobriety that Mr. Kurtz came to Calgary, AB and spoke to a small group of people. I
couldn't keep my eyes off of him all during his talk. He said after his talk, that he'd like to take me back with him, so that I could be his attentive student all the time. Mr. Kurtz ignited the desire of sobriety in me those many years ago, and for that I will be forever grateful.

What a wonderful gift he gave so many people through his writing and understanding of people like me...those of that share the disease of alcoholism. Thank you, Dr. Kurtz, for giving this alcoholic valuable insight on how to live a better life.

Ernie and my father Dr. Ben Williams were close friends and I cherish the exchanges I enjoyed with Ernie. He gave so much to the world through his life and his work. Blessings to you Linda. Karen Branan