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Thomas Kurtz Obituary
Hanover, NH - Thomas Eugene Kurtz died peacefully at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, NH, November 12, 2024, at the age of 96.
He was born on February 22, 1928 in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of Oscar Christ Kurtz and Helen Bell Kurtz. He graduated from Arlington Heights HS in 1946, Knox College in 1950 and received his PhD in mathematics at Princeton in 1956. He was hired by John Kemeny at Dartmouth college to join the math dept. in 1956 and has spent his entire life since then living in Hanover, NH.
In 1953 he married Patricia Barr. They had 3 children: Daniel Barr Kurtz and Timothy David Kurtz, twins born on February 27, 1954, and Beth Louise Kurtz, born June 26, 1957. Tom and Pat were divorced in 1973. In 1974, he married Agnes Seelye Bixler. He is survived by his wife Aggie and brother David Allen Kurtz, of State College, PA.. He is survived also by his 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren.
Outside of his family, Tom is well known as the co-inventor, with John Kemeny, of the BASIC programming language in 1964. A version of BASIC still exists today. John Kemeny and Tom had already developed a version of the Dartmouth Timesharing System, a method of sharing computer access allowing multiple students access to the computer at the same time. From 1966 to 1975, Tom served as the director of the Kiewit Computation Center at Dartmouth and as director of Academic Computing from 1975 to 1978. In 1979, he and former student Stephen J. Garland organized a professional master's program in Computer and Information Sciences, CIS.
He retired from teaching in 1993. He has received several awards and has traveled the world sometimes involved with computing, sometimes just to get away with his wife, Aggie.
He loved hiking and almost anything outdoors. In 1979, he and Aggie spent 11 weeks roaming around Alaska with backpack and tent: 3 days out in the wilderness, and then a day in a motel somewhere to get cleaned up and plan the next three days. In 1989, they bought 150 acres of land in Kirby, Vt. It has become a favorite place for all 4 generations so far. There are now 4 cabins on the property and a nice way to keep the extended family in touch with one another.
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Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Kurtz
Lynn Sattler
November 21, 2024
I wish I would have sent this note to Mr Kurtz before he passed away. I would have thanked him for his efforts in making the Basic computer language and the time sharing system. These inventions were instrumental for me in starting a career in the computer field. I was a sophomore at the University of Toledo in the fall of 1968. I had no understanding of what I would do career wise. But by God's grace I took a Basic language programming class that fall using a time sharing system and immediately found a way to make a living for the rest of my life.
I thank Mr Kurtz and his co-creator for their pioneering efforts.
Tauseef Riaz
November 20, 2024
I don't know him personally, but a whole generation of my friends and I, born in the 70s in Pakistan, got into computing, became engineers and lifted ourselves and our families economically, thanks to BASIC. His impact will be felt for generations. May he rest in peace.
Steven Hobbs
November 20, 2024
I fondly remember Tom and his family when I was just starting my college career at Dartmouth. I would sometimes babysit his kids, Danny, Timmy and Beth, and he would have me visit his home at other times. A touch of family life was wonderful when a college freshman was away from his home for the first time.
Tom became the boss who was always there to help when I had problem. Later he became my advisor for my senior thesis.
He worked hard with John Kemeny to make computers accessible for a majority of liberal arts student at Dartmouth. The environment Tom created at Dartmouth was unmatched at the time when compared with the universal computing access available at any other college/university in the world. Students at Dartmouth were fortunate to be able to participate in the learning environment that Tom helped create.
Gerry Hornik
November 18, 2024
I had the privilege of serving on the ANSI BASIC committee with Tom. He was not only its inventor but a wonderful, most likable chairman for the committee. My deepest condolences to his family.
Gregor McGregor
November 18, 2024
Tom, whom I met on a tour of the Kiewit Center, and his wonderful wife Aggie, who beat me at tennis, made indelible contributions to Dartmouth and far beyond. My huge personal condolences to Aggie and the entire extended family.
Alan Kibbe
November 18, 2024
Tom Kurtz became my faculty advisor when I arrived as a Freshman at Dartmouth in 1966. Although a mathematician and computing innovator, he was absolutely instrumental and his advice essential in helping me lay a foundation for a career in the performing arts! While a graduate student at Yale Drama School in 1972, I helped pay my tuition by teaching a computing course at the School of Architecture as an adjunct Professor. Thank you, Tom, for all you gave to your students and to the world. Godspeed.
Doreen Keith
November 18, 2024
I am so sorry Aggie. My thoughts are with you.
RB
November 18, 2024
Mr. Kurtz´s work as the co-inventor of basic had far reaching affects in the world of computer science. Such an amazing mind that made major contributions with computers early on. Sincere sympathies to the Kurtz family, May God be with you all in your time of loss.
Amos Benziel
November 18, 2024
Thank you for realizing your vision many years ago. Not only did you create such a profound tool, but just as important, you inspired me to try and finally to succeed.
Sidney Marshall
November 17, 2024
I am very sad to hear of his passing. I worked with him for many years at Dartmouth and he was always cheerful. He was an Excellent statistician. I wrote DOPE (Dartmouth oversimplified programming experiment) on the LGP-30 which convinced Kurtz and Kemeny that they were on the right path with time-sharing.I knew him for many years and took him out to dinner several times. He will be missed. Aggie, you have my deepest sympathy.
Hugh McNally
November 17, 2024
Rest in peace, Prof. Kurtz. You changed the world.
David Bailey
November 17, 2024
I remember Tom Kurtz from my time growing up in Hanover, attending the same church and being the same age as his children. I am sad to learn of his passing, but I am very glad to have known him and his family. And there is no way not acknowledge the great gift he gave the world in his work with computers. I remember spending a lot of time at the Kiewit Computer Center while I was in high school, learning BASIC. The world is poorer because of his passing, but much enriched by his having lived. My condolences go to all the members of his great family.
Kim O´Hare Gleason
November 17, 2024
Aggie I remember Tom so fondly and send you my love and condolences. You were both a treasured part of my Dartmouth life. Kim O´Hare Gleason
November 16, 2024
Aggie, so sorry to hear of your loss. Fellow golfer Ellen Antell
Stevens R Miller
November 15, 2024
Without his magnificent ability to make programming possible for all of us, I wouldn't be who I am today. Thank you, Dr. Kurtz. The world is a better place because of you.
David
November 15, 2024
Fair winds and following seas
DR
November 15, 2024
My deepest sympathy is with the Kurtz family and friends during this time of grief and sorrow. May the fond memories of your dear loved ones always be remembered
RR
November 15, 2024
A brilliant mathematical mind, his contribution to technology and computers has had far reaching effects. Sincere condolences to the Kurtz family, so very be sorry for your loss, May God be with you all.
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