Kurtis L. Soo

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Marina High School Marina High School

Kurtis Soo Obituary

SOO, Kurtis L. -- Kurtis Lanning Soo, died suddenly on January 19, 2004, while traveling in Mali, a country in western Africa. He was born October 8, 1956, in Berkeley, California, the son of Donald Soo and the late Juanita Fong. Kurt is survived by his parents Donald and Joan Soo; his brother Damon and sister-in-law Sylvia; and brothers, Joseph and Randall Soo. He was a 1974 graduate of Marina High School in San Leandro, and attended local colleges. Kurt became interested in computers as a teen-ager, making heavy use of the public access facilities at the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley. In his early career he worked for Hayward Unified Schools, and Fuller-O'Brien Paint. As the computer industry moved from mainframes to desktops, Kurt worked in Silicon Valley for Data Design Associates. Later he formed Oasis Consulting Group with partners and traveled the United States working as a consultant. His home was in Fremont, California; so he racked up many frequent flyer miles coming home on weekends while on extended postings in the Cincinnati, Ohio area; San Antonio, Texas; Pineville, Louisiana; and Atlanta, Georgia. His most recent postings were at NUMMI in Fremont, and Verizon Wireless, in Folsom, California. It was Kurt's gift to make friends where ever he went. Kurt was happy to live in different places as a part of his work life. He also loved to take vacations. In addition to regular trips with friends to Mardi Gras and COMDEX, he made it a point to attend the camel races in Virginia City, Nevada. He was a world traveler, taking adventure tours to Africa, Antarctica, China, Morocco, India, Tibet, and motorcycle tours of Canada. For sixteen Thanksgivings, Kurt volunteered time and energy to the Thanksgiving Operation Good Neighbor, Volunteers of America, Bay Area (VOABA) Food Distribution. Volunteers make up food baskets at the Coliseum in Oakland and deliver them around the Oakland area. An article about Kurt's activities is online at: http://www.voaba.org/docs/cands_winter02.pdf. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to VOABA-Operation Good Neighbor, in honor of Kurtis Soo, 1701 Harbor Bay Parkway, Suite 220, Alameda, CA 94502. A celebration of Kurt's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2004, at the Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA 94612. (510-451-1903). If you wish to speak at the service, please email [email protected]. For correspondence: Soo Family, 35691 Dee Place, Fremont, CA 94536.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Jose Mercury News on Feb. 1, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Kurtis Soo

13 Entries

Sharon Robinson

December 31, 2004

I just received the sad news of Kurt's unexpected passing; I met Kurt in Casablanca the first day of our Morocco trip which turned out to be one of my best trips. I remember sitting in front of our tents in the Saraha watching an incredible falling star display with the group. Kurt was proud of his family, his business, and had a keen interest in others...a gentleman who will be missed.

Kathleen and Bill Caine

December 31, 2004

It has now been a full year since we last visited with Kurt, and it is still very hard to believe he is gone. Our annual New Year's Day feast is here, and it will seem a little odd not to have our good friend with us for the occasion. But we definitely raise a toast in his honor.

Bob Marino

December 30, 2004

I just learned of Kurt's passing today. I was terribly saddened. I met Kurt in 1995 on a trip to Morocco. My fondest memory of Kurt is our first night in Casablanca as we navigated the narrow streets of the Old City for 2 1/2 hours. Neither one of us wanting to admit we were lost!

Laura Moran

February 17, 2004

I met Kurt while he was implementing PeopleSoft where I work, circa 1996. We shared lots of laughter, and we maintained a good e-mail friendship since then. Kurt's personality made being a techno-geek cool at a time when those of us who love technology weren't considered cool at all... Rest in peace, my friend, and may your heart soar like an eagle.

David Ventura

February 17, 2004

As everyone knows, Kurt was a great person, respected by everyone he met during his life adventures. I met him when he was on assignment at Toyota in Erlanger Kentucky. I was also lucky enough to know him outside of work. I remember when we met up at a friends wedding on Staten Island. The following day he was ready to go sight seeing, so we went to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. He always lived life to its fullest. My regards to his family.

Fran Gordon

February 17, 2004

I was on the West African trip to Mali and Burkina Fasso with Kurt. In a short period of time, we discovered many similarities and became close traveling companions.

The enthusiasm we shared together as we were introduced to the wonderful people of Mali solidified a new relationship into a firm friendship.

It's not often people are blessed by others, but I was because of my time with Kurt. He taught me many things in our short time together.

I miss Kurt very much. Please celebrate Kurt's life and know how happy he was to be on this trip. He was pure joy.

Carl Eberling

February 5, 2004

What a loss!

Kurt was always the consumate professional and seemed to have a balance in life that was an envy to all those that knew him. My thoughts and prayers to the Soo family. He was a good man, and will be missed by all those that worked with him over the years.

Madan Mohan

February 4, 2004

I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Kurt's family.

I worked with him in Verizon Wireless FOLSOM, CA. He was a very good friend and a co-worker. We all miss him very much.

Laura Thornberry

February 4, 2004

Kurt - Your light, your smile and your happiness were catching. You were my biggest and best marathon supporter!

My last correspondence from Kurt was his explanation of the great journey he had planned. I can only wish that he saw 1/2 of the places he intended to go!

"About every two years, I pick a place on the planet to explore in depth. I immerse myself in the culture, food, music, art, politics, religion, etc. I ususally pick a place where the culture is under threat from globalization, because if I don't see it now, it might not exist in a few years. Needless to say, they tend to be out-of-the way places. In January, I visit two west african countries of Mali and Burkina Faso. Getting around won't be easy due to the terrain and lack of infrastructure. Once I arrive in the capital city of Bamako, we take a 4WD jeep to the edge of the Sahara desert. From there, we cross the dunes on camels until we reach the Niger river, where we transfer to pontoon boats and stop to visit towns and villages along the way. So what's to see? Most Americans have many images of Africa, but these are often mixed up. On this trip, we'll hear amazing music (some artists are popular in the US), and witness amazing native dancing -- you know, the kind where they put on elaborate costumes, paints, and large fantastic masks. The trip will be rigorous, but fun. I'll be traveling for 3 weeks."

May your heart and spirit roam freely forever! We miss you!! -Laura

Sheryl Holt

February 4, 2004

I met Kurt while working at DDA. Although we have not seen each other since, we always kept in touch with Christmas cards. We always said DDA was like a family and as such, I feel in losing Kurt, I have lost a member of my family. My life has certainly been richer for having known him. He will be missed.

Schaefer O'Neill

February 3, 2004

Kurt viewed life as an ongoing adventure. I started working with Kurt in 1982, when Kurt, Jerry and I started DDA's Customer Support.

We will miss your smile, your gentle heart and your generous nature for all things large and small.

Dora K. McLaughlin

February 3, 2004

Although I had not seen or spoken to Kurt for many years, he has always been someone I remember fondly. He is one of my favorite people from my old DDA days. His kindness, generosity and sense of humor touched many of our lives. My condolences to his family.

Fay Harmon

February 2, 2004

To Kurt's family,

I would like to express my condolences to all of Kurt's family. Kurt was a good friend and a highly respected co-worker at DDA. He has left some wonderful memories with all who knew him.

Warm Wishes, Fay Harmon

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