Kurt Ernest Ackermann

In his time Kurt owned several businesses; built cellos; waved at everybody from his boat; raced by on a motorcycle – sometimes with a sidecar; owned every kind of vehicle he ever wanted – and some he didn’t; bought, tricked out, and sold many houses; ran away to Hawaii until he and Connie got bored with life in tropical paradise and moved closer to “the kids;” achieved Preferred Customer status from his pal Jeff Bezos; and laughed his sweet goofy laugh all over the world, even though it meant he sometimes had to sprint straight for the Smoking Area after landing in a foreign country.

He was born in Alaska, but his best life was in Oregon, with Connie by his side. For nearly 30 years they shared a love that was like one long and superfun sleepover – they did everything! And they did it together. Except for that time Kurt wore the MC Hammer pants – to a wedding. That was before Connie, and she accepts no responsibility for it.

Like all of us, Kurt had challenges. And like all of us, he sometimes got knocked down. And like the BEST of us, he always got back up. Kurt didn’t surrender to the darkness, and as a result we are fortunate to have enjoyed his wide sunny smile and goofy laugh for many years. It wasn’t enough years – but we’re grateful for all the time we had with him.

Kurt was a good man, who loved his wife and the family that loved him. We will miss him forever, and never forget how much love, help, advice, and fun he gave us. And we will ALWAYS be grateful for the love and the joy and the gift of him.

The world will never be the same without him. And the world will ALWAYS be better because he was here.

May his spirit fly free.