Gary Francis Kurutz

We will all miss Gary and his contributions to historical research and bibliography. I for one also miss getting on the phone and talking to him about some new thing I acquired and what his perspective on it might be. I will also miss going on walks with him and discussing the state of the world. He was among the few librarians who was both a scholar, a master creator of exhibits for people and someone who built a great collection because he had special awareness of the market for and sellers of Western Americana. Fond memories reinforced by his books on my shelves.

One last for now, one of my life´s memorable occasions was when I visited him at the Sutro library that he led so well. I was delivering some items he bought and he showed me the magnificent shelves filled with impressive color plate books in the stacks. We went to his office and he said you might like to see this as he handed me the libraries First Folio Shakespeare. Great experience with a great friend.

Gary, you were a genuinely fine man. I am glad we had a few moments to reconnect briefly after many decades. My love goes out to your family. Godspeed my brother