Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1936
DIED
2025
Denis Kutch Obituary
January 31, 1936 – February 11, 2025
Denis loved life and was engaged with his creative and community projects until the very end.
Denis was a talented architect and served on the Nevada City Planning Commission for many years. Denis enjoyed his dramatic roles (Father Christmas, Gerald Ford/Marching President, Captain Von Trapp) and singing with Music in the Mountains. Denis was a bright light who will be remembered by many!
A Celebration of Life: 2-4pm March 16th. 220 Bresee Place, Grass Valley. Please join us in sharing our memories. See his Facebook page for more remembrances.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Denis Kutch
Paul Dirdak and Wendy Pomeroy
April 23, 2025
Denis was among our heroes.
In the mid-80s, he bartered hours in the Engineering Library at UCBerkeley that I would do for him against hours that he would spend designing this house for us that we built near Snow Tent Spring on Tyler Foote Crossing, north of Nevada City, CA. It is all full-dimension lumber milled from our own trees. We had help with framing, but from there on, we did all the remaining work ourselves. Denis was the architect-consultant to the County Building Department, so he led them to adopt codes that provided for poll buildings in place of perimeter foundations in off-the-grid houses. Ours was the first. He built this model as a guide for the framers. It remains as pride of place in our home, now, in Santa Fe, NM. We see his craftsmanship every day.
Nancy Hazelwood & Bob Roberts
March 16, 2025
Denis Kutch was a dear friend to my parents, my sisters, my husband Bob and I as well as the architect on 2 remodels of my parents´ home on Ridge Road. He was amazingly talented and very kind. He will be greatly missed by all.
Laurie Oberholtzer
March 12, 2025
I am proud to have served on the Nevada City Planning Commission with Denis Kutch for many years.
As an architect he was a great asset to the Commission. Denis served with Karla Arens and myself on the Planning Commission subcommittee that created the first written version of the Nevada City Design Guidelines. It took an entire year of meetings to complete and it is still in use today having been built on since then.
He had an admiration of Nevada City´s architectural heritage which always came through in his work on the Commission. He helped improve many projects throughout his terms with his knowledge of Victorian architecture and detailing. He was always thorough, prepared, and eloquent in his design reviews. Denis was also a skilled site planner and environmental planner which was always useful as a Commissioner. Everyone sat up and listened when it was his turn for input.
He had many contracts with the City of Nevada City on important public buildings including an early Nevada Theatre renovation and the city pool and bath house.
He was also the Planning Commission liaison for the Pioneer Park bandshell construction and the historic art moderne city hall renovation,
As a private architect he also worked on other important Nevada City buildings including the Methodist Church, the Episcopal Church, and Miners Foundry.
Denis really made a lasting difference in our little town.
-Laurie Oberholtzer
Gregory Wolters
March 11, 2025
I have had a lot of architectural conversations over the years with Denis.
The thing I remember is that he always had time for me. If anything came up regarding architecture, or life, he was always there. When I was young, he ws my mentor.
Brian Wallace
March 6, 2025
Denis May your soul rest in Peace.
Condolences to all your family and friends.
Susan Solinsky
March 3, 2025
Denis always had time to consult on architectural issues and offer fresh ideas. He was such a warm presence and will be greatly missed.
Beverly Marks
March 2, 2025
A dear and warm person - he will be missed.
Manette Shuholm
March 2, 2025
One year, Denis and I were both volunteers for the Barb Schmidt Milar Memorial triathlon. During the event, a golden retriever had broken free was running with a long rope still attached. He piled the willing dog on my lap in his Jeep and we went door to door in Cascade Shores until we found the owners. The story ended well.
Phil Carville
March 1, 2025
Denis was such a wonderful person. A credit to the human race... and not many people qualify for that. RIP
Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results
Make a Donation
in Denis Kutch's name
Memorial Events
for Denis Kutch
How to support Denis's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Denis Kutch's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
