Alfred Ertel Kuerst

Alfred Ertel Kuerst, Civic leader and department store executive, died Jan. 9, 2004 after an extended illness. He was born on July 1, 1915 and was a life-long resident of Indianapolis, most recently residing at Marquette Manor retirement community.A graduate of Tech High School, Lake Forest College and Harvard Business School, Kuerst served as a Naval Officer in WWII. He spent his retailing career in merchandising, finance and acquisition planning at L.S. Ayres and Company and was involved in the development of many shopping centers.A long-time member of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, he served on the Session as an Elder. He was past president of the Crossroads Council, Boy Scouts of America, received the Silver Beaver Award and was an Eagle Scout as are his two grandsons in whom he delighted.Other activities included: Marquette Manor Foundation, Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club of Indianapolis, Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Society of Retired Executives, Better Business Bureau, Indianapolis Day Nursery Foundation past president and supporting and enjoying the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra of which his father was a founder.Kuerst was past Commodore of the Indianapolis Sailing Club and Skipper of Sea Scout Troop 444. He enjoyed world travel including many sailing trips in the Caribbean. Mentoring disadvantaged youth and playing the pipe organ were two of his great pleasures.Kuerst was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Sara Kiningham Kuerst. Survivors include: brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Ellen Kiningham Kuerst of Hayward, CA; daughter and son-in-law, Joann Kuerst Huntington and Charles Riddell Huntington, Sr. of Paoli, PA; two grandsons and their wives, Charles Riddell, Jr. and Stacey Thompson Huntington of Royersford, PA and Dr. Richard Alfred and Amy Sorokin Huntington of Dallas, PA; 6 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; special church friend, Marley Jesseph; and caregiver, Tony Falk.Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13 in Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, 34th and Central Avenue with calling 1 hour prior to services. Burial: Crown Hill Cemetery.Memorials may be given to Tabernacle Presbyterian Church or Crossroads Council, Boy Scouts of America. Arrangements entrusted to Flanner & Buchanan Funeral Center - Broad Ripple. On-line condolences may be made to the Kuerst family at www.flannerbuchanan.com