Richard Lee Kurtz

Richard Kurtz, 84, of DeWitt, Iowa, passed away at home on Friday, May 27, 2022.

Richard was born June 15, 1937, in Clinton, Iowa, to Leo and Virginia (Frey) Kurtz. He grew up in Welton, where he graduated from high school in 1955. He married Alice Frett in 1956, in Clinton. The couple resided in DeWitt, where they raised their family. Richard owned and operated gas stations in Welton and DeWitt, drove semi, and later worked as a mechanic at Caterpillar in Mt. Joy, retiring in 1989, after the plant closed. Richard enjoyed his second career, “working” for the DeWitt Police Department in the “Traffic Control Division.” You could often find Richard driving 5 miles an hour through town, with a line of cars behind him, making sure the speed limits weren’t being exceeded. Following retirement, Richard and Alice enjoyed wintering in Arizona. Alice preceded him in death in 1994.

Richard liked all things mechanical. He spent many years helping local stock car drivers as their mechanic. He enjoyed attending basketball games. Richard also loved spending time with his granddaughter and great-grandson in Arizona.

He is survived by his sons, Steve Kurtz and his wife Margie Dominguez-Kurtz of Tucson, Arizona, and Mark Kurtz and his wife Colleen of DeWitt; granddaughter, and great-grandson, Elizabeth and Brady Horvath also of Tucson; a brother, William Kurtz of DeWitt; a sister-in-law, Eleanor Kurtz of Clinton; nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Kevin, and brothers, Jim and Russ.

A memorial gathering will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 10, 2022, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for future dedication.

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