Kurt John Harju

I have been in Ann Arbor for games the last two weeks, and will return this weekend. I cannot help but think of you when I walk through the town. Fall is almost here, and I know how much you loved A2 in the fall. God bless and keep you, Kurt.

So sorry to hear of the loss of Kurt, as we plan our 40th high school class reunion.

To a passionate soul
Who looked into the mirrors
with depth and understanding
beyond the words on the pages,
seemingly incapable of seeing in his own reflection
what was truly there.

Scattered memories and thoughts:
A2 and k2
The arb, fragels, Orange Julius and
Snowball fights on South U.
A fraternity unmatched by the Greek houses,
true unions not dependent on oaths.
Film clubs that mimicked life and love
along with

Kurt was a man of great sensitivity and imagination. He was good with children. We lived upstairs from our friends John and Ginny, and their young son Devin. One time, when Devin was just a toddler, Kurt totally captivated him with a simple gesture. "Watch, Devin," he said, and held up a packet of sugar over a cup of coffee. He tore the corner of the packet and poured it in a slow high arc into the coffee. Devin was riveted.

When his sister Joyce and the two older kids would visit,...

My Dear Big Brother,

I will miss you greatly. I wish you had had a phone or e-mail and we could have been in touch more often. I hope you enjoyed seeing Commerica Park in July with us, even though your Tigers lost. I have a lot of memories from childhood, and a good part of our adulthood memories that I will hang onto. I love you.

Your Sister Joyce

For Kurt

Extra Innings

I wish you long days of endless summer
Celestial baseball games with extra innings
Stars in the outfield, the planets for bases

The lost sister found.
Old sorrows but dim shades
To anchored present joy

Or say it’s as we fear
A great nothing, unending quiet sleep
Then I wish you the peace of that sleep

But know it must be true
One day emerges something new
A seedling perhaps,...

I didn't get to know my oldest brother very well when I was young, as he left for college when I was in elementary school. As an adult, I got to know Kurt better. We were able to discuss everything from our childhood, poetry, Shakespeare to politics. Kurt's wit and wisdom will always bring a smile to my face. You will be greatly missed! Your "little" brother, Tom.