Joel Allen Kurtzman

Joel and I went to high school together in Woodland Hills, CA. We used to have a lot of what could be termed "'intellectual" conversations, quite unlike how I'd talk to most of my friends. There was always a lot of humor involved, as in we"d make up bogus theories and try to convince the other that they were true. Then when we were convinced, we'd laugh and say something like "Ha ha ha! You dummy! I made all that up, it's pure BS!"

From your novel, Crown of Flowers: Joel, "Go warm shod and well lighted in the mind."

I'm stunned and very sad to learn of Joel's death . We were friends at Berkeley where we spent many hours at the Terrace debating philosophy and politics (we agreed mostly). After Berkeley, I watched in amazement as Joel reinvented himself over and over again, each time revealing greater depth than I or any of his Berkeley posse ever imagined he had. Things were not always great for Joel, bad enough during the early '70's recession that he once took a job polishing brass fittings at an antique shop called Van Ginkle & Moore on Union Street in San Francisco. I filled in for him for a month or so to preserve the job for him when he needed to be away. I last saw Joel in Boston in late '80s (I think). We downed a couple ales at a nearby pub. He was a very good guy, gone way too soon.

May he Rest In Peace. Joel was my first boss at UNITAR in 1981.
Always kind and profesional. Coming from overseas he made my stay in NY more safe and enjoyable. He and Mr. Erwin lazlo were dreamers I thought about regional and inter regional cooperation among developing countries. But now I realize that destiny and dreams are not transferable. I trust that he fulfilled his dreams and is noe a hostage of eternity and always in the memory of sweet moments with his family.
Thank you Joel from the bottom of my heart. I will never forget you
Claudia L.Lima Gonzalez

May condolences to that family. Jole had such positive spirit. He always possessed a warm smile and soft hello when we passed each other in the office or the streets.

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope.

My heartfelt condolences to you Karen and to your and Joel's families. I have been on the advisory board for Briefings, since I joined Korn Ferry in 2010. Joel will be so deeply missed. His insight, intelligence, humor, editorial wit, curiosity, and perhaps most of all, his humanity will be remembered and treasured.

I first met Joel when I was interviewing with Korn Ferry, and our conversation was a turning point in seeing the power of thought leadership here. It was a privilege to have worked with him, and whenever he talked about you...he positively glowed!

May you always feel the warmth of the love you shared.

I worked with Joel for the better part of a year when he was at PwC, and I was a senior manager there, and we collaborated with Microsoft to put on their CEO summit in 2000. He was warm and welcoming of new ideas, and also direct and helpful in his feedback. I learned a lot from him and from the experience, engaging directly at the event with so many CEOs. Looking back, I can see that my experience with Joel was one step along the path to becoming an executive coach working with senior leaders. Karen, I knew your name from Hudson conferences, and I remember talking with you about networking (and I have your Easily Wired materials on a shelf next to my desk), but I didn't realize until this week that you were married to Joel. It's a reminder of how small and interconnected our world truly is. My deepest condolences.

My sincere condolences & prayers to the family of Joel. Chief, as I fondly address him "Rest in Peace".

Hi Karen,

although you and I never had the opportunity to meet, I was a colleague of Joel's at the Milken Institute, and he spoke of you often.

He was a great inspiration and mentor, and I was very saddened to hear of his passing. Joel's wisdom will live on in those of us whom he left an indelible impression.

Please accept my best wishes during this difficult time.

Best regards,

David Rice

Karen,
I was so saddened to hear of the loss of your husband Joel. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Best,
Pat O'Neill

We count ourselves very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Joel Kurtzman in the summer of 2009. He moderated the theme panel for our annual Summit that year: Milken Scholars: Changing the World Around Them. It was a panel on environmental stewardship, and his participation was very much a breakthrough for the Milken Scholars Program. For him to take the time not only to participate, but to also help us plan, launched an active relationship with the Milken Institute. We are forever grateful for his time and generosity. Needless to say, the impact of his panel also extends to many of the bright young Milken Scholars Lifelong Leaders for a Better World who were present, and whose influence our Program exists to promote. It is just a small microcosm of the ripple effect that his life's work will have. The thoughts and prayers of the Milken Scholars Family are with his.

From his friends and colleagues at the Milken Scholars Program.

Photo caption, from left to right:
Dr. Jane Foley, Director, Milken Scholars Program
Joel Kurtzman, Senior Fellow, Milken Institute
Debbie Levin, President, Environmental Media Association
Bobby Shriver, Councilmember, City of Santa Monica
Dr. Yang Yang, Principal Investigator, UCLA Yang Yang Laboratory Research Group for Organic Electronic Materials & Devices
Gregory Milken, Director, Milken Scholars Program