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Bruce Kurtz Obituary
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Janet M. Post
November 22, 2020
On Angel’s Wings, Bruce
Kate Robbins
November 8, 2020
Mr. Kurtz was my elementary PE teacher in the 1990s and I am now a teacher myself. I have often told my colleagues of the influence that Mr. Kurtz had and continues to have on my teaching. I strive to emulate the fun and caring relationship that he had with all of his students, the connection to those who felt disconnected at school.
Over the last week I have reconnected with several elementary school friends as we have learned of Mr. Kurtz' passing. We all fondly remember games of capture the flag, and even better, capture the bean. As an adult, I see the genius in Mr. Kurtz hiding that small piece of plastic in a grassy field and sending 30 fourth graders out searching!
Betty Audette
November 8, 2020
I loved our visits when I lived in Rhinebeck. We would exchange emails so we could keep up with what was going on in our lives when I moved to Florida. Her had such an exciting life and lived each day to the fullest. RIP Bruce enjoy your reunion with your beloved Marion.
Your Cousin
Betty
William Wheeler
November 7, 2020
I knew Bruce through the Greater Springfield Harriers and the Cyclonauts. He is a legend in the Western Mass Running/Triathlon community and will never be forgotten.
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Stacey Kurpaska
November 6, 2020
Mr. Kurtz was the best teacher ever. He had an amazing spirit abs we could always count on him to pull up to the school every morning on his bike. He loved every child equally and included every single one of us regardless of our skill set. He will be missed and remembered fondly.
Donna Brown
November 6, 2020
Bruce was a great guy a colleague of mine at Soule Road School and my 3 children’s gym teacher. He was quite a character! He loved life, reflected in his job and activities. He also showed his love to his students as stated in the tributes flowing in, he left his mark!
I must share one funny incident. We lived across the street from the school on Pheasant Farm Rd. One morning about 7:30 I came downstairs to find Bruce in my family room. He realized cycling to school he needed help moving mats out to the gym for the day. Having been over to the house before he wanted help from our son Pete ,one of his students. Pete wasn’t ready for school when Bruce knocked on the door so was waiting. They walked to school together. I’m smiling as I write this for it makes me realize he was an extraordinary , unique ,down to earth guy that will not be forgotten. A life well lived!
Paul Kokoszyna
November 5, 2020
I had Mr. Kurtz as my gym teacher for one year (7th grade.) I've always remembered him for his kindness and especially his patience in dealing with my pre-teen immaturity. He was different than many teachers, as he always allowed kids to be themselves vs. demanding that we conform to a set standard of behavior, a lesson that has served me well throughout my life. I had no idea how many athletic and philanthropic pursuits Mr. Kurtz was involved in. He truly lived life to its fullest and I am sure positively influenced countless lives along the way. My condolences to all of Mr. Kurtz' family and many friends.
Joe Albano
November 5, 2020
Mr. Kurtz was my Gym teacher in 1976. He was one of the most kind and caring and FUN teachers we kids ever had. He loved us and we loved him.
Emily Bonci
November 5, 2020
Man. Mr. Kurtz was probably the only gym teacher I had that I enjoyed and who didn’t make me feel bad or embarrassed.
He was encouraging, kind, passionate and fun. He accepted what you did and smiled. He was so kind and humble. He would give away his medals that he won to us at school like they were nothing big. I have one of them to this day - from A swimming competition he apparently won. It’s tucked into my jewelery box and it’s made it through my childhood, 8 moves, 4 states, 2 kids, a farm and into my adult life with me because when I hold it I smile. He was the coolest teacher. He would come in with a fistful of medals from something he did, and hold them up and we’d surround him watching in awe. I can still see him in his shorts and wind breaker and tube socks doing that!
He was a teacher that made a difference in my young life. If more people were like him, what a wonderful world it would be.
Kaitlyn Gentile
November 5, 2020
Mr. Kurtz was one of my favorite teachers growing up, everyone couldn’t wait to get a high five from him. He was such an amazing teacher and an inspiration for me to become one myself. My heart is heavy at this sad news of his passing and my condolences go out to his family and friends.
Karen Drenzek
November 5, 2020
Sorry to read of Mr. Kurtz passing, my condolences to his family, He sure did have a full life of fun and activities. May he Rest in Peace. A former student in Wilbraham, MA.
Patty Grandfield
November 5, 2020
Mr. Kurtz was the most amazing teacher! He was the first person to try to make me feel good about myself. He is the person who taught me to ignore the bullies and rise above them and he was one of the few people who knew how much I was going through as a kid. I remember how much fun I had in his class and how included he always tried to make me feel because he saw how hard I was struggling in life. Mr. Kurtz lived down the street from my grandfather, so when we would visit I would make sure to walk down to Mr Kurtz's house to say hello and he would always bring me out a cookie or a popsicle. I remember he used to carry me upside down in class and pretend my hair was a broom because it made me laugh. To this day i do that with my kids, because of him.
Rest easy Mr Kurtz. You have been so impactful in my life, and to think you were "only" my elementary gym teacher.
Mark Vezzola
November 5, 2020
Mr. Kurtz lived down the street from me when I was a kid. He was always so active, tinkering with his bicycles, helping older neighbors. Although I didn't know his wife I recall how devoted he was to her. Rest in peace.
Kris Rademacher
November 5, 2020
Bruce was an icon in the cycling community. Always eager to help out, he'd be the first to arrive and the last to leave an event. His energy and generosity will be missed. Rest in peace with your Marian Bruce.
Mike Courtney
November 5, 2020
Mr. Kurtz (always Mr, never Bruce as I was the student and he the teacher/coach) is an absolute legend. An Icon of the Wilbraham school system. I have 10 kids in my family and it seems that everyone of us had Mr Kurtz as a gym teacher. He was also my one and only cycling coach. I was an inaugural member of the Pioneer Valley racing club in 85. I would meet Bruce at school and we would ride to whatever race was that week and then he would organize and a I would race. His wife Marion would give us a ride home in their van. At the time I was the only one in Wilbraham, it seemed, that was into cycling. Bruce took me under his wing and coached me and mentored me. Those days cycling with Mr. Kurtz are some of my fondest memories. I can still hear his particular speech and inflection in his voice as he coached and taught us kids in gym class and beyond. God bless you Bruce. Rest well. See you on the other side.
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21 Tinkham Road, Springfield, MA 01129
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