Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Richard H. Kurth Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Jun. 3, 2016 at 2:00 AM Posted Jun. 3, 2016 at 2:00 AM » Social News Richard H. Kurth, 76, passed away May 31, 2016 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford, Ore. of Stage IV metastatic melanoma. Kurth was born Feb. 1, 1940, in Oak Park, Illinois, to Mildred and Irvin Kurth, now deceased. Even though diagnosed with Diabetes 1 in 2003, Richard lived an active and vital life with great respect for his fellow man and the environment. He graduated with an M.S. in metallurgy engineering from the University of Wisconsin in 1964, and he spent most of his professional career in the San Francisco Bay area, working with IBM in San Jose, California. In 1983, through the Big Brother/Little Brother Program in the Bay Area, Marc Lyman, age 10, and Richard, age 43, formed a bond that has grown stronger during the past 33 years. Marc said, “Describing Richard as a father figure understates the meaning he had in my life. He was a wise, kind, compassionate friend whose motivations you never had to question. Richard touched my life with his creativity, respect for humanity, moxie, and countless other ways. I will gratefully carry his gifts with me in his honor. Richard will be missed in the same way he lived his life: deeply and profoundly." Richard was instrumental in creating the Inner City Outings Program in the Bay Area. It was not unusual for him to spend 36 weekends a year taking inner-city kids rafting, back packing, alpine skiing, or camping. He loved travel: he trekked Annapurna and Kanchenjunga, Nepal; sailed in Tonga and the British Virgin Island; bicycled three months around New Zealand; did a walking safari in Africa; and he married his second wife, Sue Spurgeon, at Victoria Falls, at the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, in southern Africa, in 1990. He built a second home from the ground up with his exemplary handyman skills at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains in Stanley, Idaho. He and Sue moved to Ashland in 2005. In March, 2016, Richard was petting grey whales in Baja. George Henry, Mountain View, California, a friend for almost 50 years, said, “Richard was thoughtful, imaginative, and entirely ‘hands on’ in attacking any problem – and he did ‘whatever it takes’ to push through to a solution.” “In our last conversation, by telephone,” according to Henry, “we were reviewing our health issues, and Richard said ‘Well, I always did run a little faster than you’ – as indeed he did. A dear friend, sorely missed.” Richard is survived by his wife, Sue, and his former wife, Barbara Frampton, whom he married in 1964; two adopted children, Juliette Kurth and Nick Kurth; four grandchildren, Owen Emerson, Charlotte Emerson, Jack Kurth, and Kate Kurth; two nieces, Lauri Kurth and Kelly Avila-Chavez; a nephew, Kevin Avila; and a brother, Ray Kurth. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Richard’s honor to: KS Wild; Inspiring Connections Outdoors; Children International; or Doctors without Borders. DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Jun. 3, 2016 at 2:00 AM You may leave your condolences or share memories by signing the Guest Book here » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501