Clarence Zantzinger Wurts

Clarence Z. Wurts, nicknamed "Bink," passed away on September 29th as a result of medical complications. He was born September 27, 1940. His Parents, John Wister Wurts and Mary-Vaux Zantzinger Wurts, sent him to Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia where, as an honor student, he was president of his class from freshman to senior year, a soccer player and also the pitcher for the varsity baseball team. As an ardent sailor, he won a National Junior championship in a "Comet Class" boat and later continued his racing career with his family's classic yacht "Hayseed" built in 1912 and which reigns as the oldest active Chester and Halifax based member of the Chester Classic Fleet. At Princeton he majored in history, dined at Colonial Club and was a member of the ROTC. Upon graduation, he married the love of his life, Patricia Weaver Wurts, known as Patty. Then it was off to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he completed his military obligation as a Captain with the 479th Field Artillery Brigade. His father John W. Wurts '31 was a World War II veteran and retired in the reserves as a Major General. Like his father and grandfather, Bink entered the chosen profession of corporate finance, investment research and stock trading. From '65-'69 he was an Officer and Director of Drexel, Harriman & Ripley, Inc. For the next fourteen years he worked as a partner of Alex, Brown & Son - commuting daily to NYC as a floor broker and later returning to Philadelphia to open their office. Then it was the presidency of Edward C. Rorer & Co., Inc. followed by a partnership with Laverell, Reynolds Securities, Inc. In 1989, Bink established Philadelphia Investors, LTD which he presided over until 2019. Over these years, Bink was actively involved in industry regulation, serving on many boards including as Governor of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and as a Vice Chairman of the National Association of Securities Dealers. Although his registration and employment history ended in 2019, Bink never really retired but continued to do consulting work for family and friends.

In addition to sailing, Bink had many hobbies including playing competitive racquet sports with all the requisite collegial banter. When not on the water and the courts, he could be found tending to his gardens and making intricate models and half hulls of his beloved sailboats as well as elaborate model train sets for his sons and grandchildren which involved ever changing mountain landscapes, tunnels and towns that changed by the season. Aside from his family, his greatest passions were his philanthropic activities, most notably his work for the Princeton Class of 1962, serving on the boards of Germantown Academy, Bartram's Garden, the Morris Arboretum and as Chairman of the Philadelphia Zoo.

Bink is survived by his wife Patricia, sons Charlie and Ben (Julie), his Grand Children, Merritt, Benno, Emma and Nicholas, and his brother, John.

A Memorial service will be held at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Whitemarsh, 2pm, Tuesday, November 26, 2024.

St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Whitemarsh
7020 Camp Hill Rd.
Fort Washington, PA 19034
(215) 233-3970

In lieu of flowers please give to The Morris Arboretum or Philadelphia Zoo

The Morris Arboretum and Gardens
E Northwestern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215)-247-5777
https://www.morrisarboretum.org/join-give

The Philadelphia Zoo
3400 W. Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104
https://www.philadelphiazoo.org/support/