Kurt Michael Volkringer

Kurt was born in Dorchester, MA, on July 29, 1975, to Paul and Lynda Volkringer. He shortly after moved to South Weymouth, MA, spending his childhood there, and creating many fond memories of his days on Bates Avenue. A devout fan of Boston sports, Kurt left South Weymouth in high school when his family moved to Richmond, Indiana. After graduating from Richmond High, where he started on the varsity soccer team, Kurt attended Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana, where he met his beloved wife, Valerie (Val) Farrow. While at Indiana University, Kurt realized his passion for the liberal arts was not as great as his passion for the culinary arts and he transitioned to Johnson & Wales Culinary School. After graduating from culinary school, Kurt was a lead chef at several restaurants in Fort Lauderdale and, later, in Chicago.

When Kurt and Val arrived in Chicago, Kurt found several loves. First, the City, its restaurants, and its sports teams, becoming a die-hard fan of the Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks. Second, his two oldest daughters, Isabella (Bella) and Ava, who were born in the Windy City. While in Chicago, he transitioned from the restaurant industry into a management role at Whole Foods, a workplace to which Kurt’s loyalty was matched only by its loyalty to him.

As his two young daughters started to grow, Kurt and Val decided to move closer to family and migrated down south to Raleigh. Kurt took a management role at the Whole Foods in Chapel Hill in 2010. Kurt led the seafood department at the store and, though modest, was proud to have run one of the busiest and most profitable seafood departments at Whole Foods. Moving to Raleigh allowed Kurt and Val to raise a beautiful family, which grew with the birth of their youngest daughter, Nora Kate.

Kurt loved fish. He loved prepping it, selling it, cooking it, or trying to catch it. He often brought his daughters on his fishing excursions, with them treasuring their time with their father more than the catch (or lack thereof) that they brought home. Kurt also loved Phish. He would faithfully travel to watch the band perform live around the nation, and somehow always manage to talk Val and/or his loyal friends to join him every single time.

Kurt was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer on July 2017, at the young age of 41 years. While such an advanced stage of colon cancer often overcomes patients within months, Kurt’s determination and strength allowed him to valiantly fight against his cancer for four years. He did not miss the opportunity to create many meaningful memories during his remaining years with family by a place that he deeply loved – the ocean. We will all miss his gentle sense of humor, his joyous laugh, his kindness and hospitality, and his beautiful smile and easygoing personality.

Kurt is survived by his wife, Valerie; daughters, Bella (16), Ava (11), and Nora Kate (5); his parents, Paul and Lynda Volkringer of Greenville, SC; his two sisters, Lindsey House (Bobby) of Greenville, SC, and their children Emma Grace and Tripp, and Meredith Schauer (Craig) of Raleigh, NC, their children Elijah, Micah, Annalynn, and Noah; Valerie’s mother, Patricia Kiesewetter; and countless extended family members and dear friends.

A Memorial Service was held on November 22 at 11:00 am in the Chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home, in Raleigh, NC. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to contribute to either St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to the girls’ 529 Education Funds by the links below under Donations.

Most importantly, Kurt’s family would love for everyone to please take a moment to schedule a colonoscopy. This disease took a man entirely too young, and if his story could help even save one person from having the same story, we would be truly grateful.

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