Richard Raymond Kurtz

Richard was born in Monroe, MI on November 22, 1932. He graduated from Monroe High School and attended General Motors Institute in Flint before being drafted into the Army. After returning from the Korean War, Richard was employed by General Motors - Chevrolet Division as a Senior Design Engineer for 36 years. Richard was deeply committed to his work in automotive design, including the early Corvette, Camaro, Caprice, Cavalier and numerous other models. He briefly, after retirement, joined Daimler-Chrysler to work on the final assembly details for the original Viper platform.

Richard married Josephine Hurst on January 16, 1953. He embraced his responsibilities as husband and father very seriously, ensuring his children and grandchildren understood, experienced and fully enjoyed the gifts of family. He spent many summer family vacations educating us on our nation and the significance of national and state parks. Richard always set an example for his family encouraging us to participate in a variety of hobbies and sports, including fishing, waterskiing, sailing and boating. He was extremely proud of his children, their educations and successful careers in engineering and education. Richard was also a gifted singer and story teller, entertaining friends with stories of his childhood and numerous songs a cappella.

Richard had a passion for automobiles and was a gifted mechanic. He enjoyed cars, motorcycles, boats, horses and even earned his private pilot’s license logging many hours in the air. He was a long standing member of the AOPA, Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association, and a volunteer for the Young Eagles, encouraging young adults to experience flight and aeronautical mechanics.

Richard was survived by his children, Thomas Raymond Kurtz, Pamela Gaye Kurtz (Margaret Snow), Mary Alice Kurtz and was proceeded in death by his wife, Josephine and daughter Nancy Louise Kurtz. He is also survived by his grandsons, Timothy Raymond and James Alan Kurtz, sister, Marjory Peters, brother-in-law, Glenn Peters, nephew, Brian Peters and nieces, Julie Peters Angel, and Jill Peters Frank.

Richard’s family has chosen to postpone a formal celebration of his life in respect for everyone’s health and safety.

We ask that, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Richard’s name to either your local animal rescue shelter or the Heifer Project International (www.heifer.org). Richard’s love for animals led him to support these organizations and other nonprofits for several years. The Heifer Project is a global nonprofit working to eradicate poverty and hunger through sustainable, farming community development.

To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit our website at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/rochester-mi .