Saturday morning, September 18, 2021, the doors of heaven opened wide, the trumpets played, and the angels gathered as the Lord welcomed his servant into his arms he spoke the words Robert so longed to hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
Robert Michael Kurtz was born November 8, 1946 to Dorothy Witfield and Ernest Kurtz in Washington D.C. Raised mostly by his grandparents, he went to school in Florida then Texas. He joined the U.S Marine Corps immediately out of high school. He served in the Vietnam War, where he earned various medals for his exemplary service including the speed in which he put his rifle together. He was so proud to be a Marine and displayed every attribute of this elite group of respected servicemen with the honor it so well deserved, but without boastfulness, only humility. Robert went on to marry Maudie Hall, and they had three children together. Maudie’s two older children were adopted by Robert and they too were loved and treated as his own.
Robert began his career with ExxonMobil in 1980 in the Wilmington field and advancing to the level of Field Superintendent. He met Sandra Rios in 1992, at Exxon where they worked together. After dating a couple of years, he proposed on his knees to her and her two boys who were 5 and 7 years old at the time. Together they said yes and started 27 years of a God-centered, unselfish, deep, purposeful, loving life that was filled with serving and loving each other from our waking moment to the end of each day. He said his love for me was an “Agape” love.
My love was an exemplary man of God, a gentleman in every way. Consistently described by others as kind, compassionate, gentle, one of a kind, selfless, loving, no finer man, caring and above all that he loved the Lord and his Angel. He served others as often as he could, always looking for opportunities to give freely and happily of himself and his time. He never left home without his bible, so that any opportunity that presented itself whether it was to pray for someone in need or encourage those who needed uplifting. Always done with the hope that he could lead another person to the Lord. There are so many selfless examples of the work he tirelessly did for the Lord with a pure heart, a gentle, humble spirit and happiness. He considered these opportunities great privileges.
He worked hard for his family, a natural born leader who was honored and respected by his colleagues at all levels. He earned countless recognitions. Where so many chose to keep God from the workplace, as a leader he finagled a way to include him in every day. He would join the men together each morning starting and ending the work day with a prayer for their safety, personal challenges and whatever else the Lord put on his heart. The men came to expect and look forward to those morning prayers. A better gentler, kinder, more compassionate man would be hard to find. He had a gentle bond with all who knew him. It is normal to hear words of love and admiration when one passes from this life to the next, but the words being expressed to us over and over paint the picture of his giant presence, his warm heart, his kindness to all and his overwhelming love for everyone and his God.
Our lives were filled with love, laughter and mutual admiration for each other. I will cherish the beautiful, loving memories we made together. We traveled to many places, Maui, Oahu, the Big Island, Puerto Rico, Curacao, Aruba, Mexico, Spain and various states to visit his children. Until our hearts and souls are together again my love, now rest in the peace and beauty of heaven where you have diligently earned your place.
My Robert leaves behind to love and keep his memory alive his “Angel’, his children John (Ute), Jackie Olney, James (Maria), Robert, Jr. (Wendy), Cathy, Raymond Robledo (Erin) and Daniel Robledo (Soo). He was loved by 14 grandchildren (including two in heaven) and another expected in December; and 5 great grandchildren. He also leaves behind his brother Ernie Kurtz (Anne) in Iowa, his mother-in-law, Lupe Rios, who he always embraced and said to her “te quiero con todo mi corazon”, his sisters-in-law, Liz Carrillo, Leticia Sosa (Ray); Marisela Hansen (Peter), Veronica Licea (Carlos) and brother-in-law Tony Rios (Anna) along with his many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind so many loyal friends, colleagues, and neighbors whom he loved.
To the love of my life, thank you for your selfless love, your faithfulness, your deep genuine love for our Lord, life and me. Thank you for protecting me, supporting me, and always uplifting me and showing me the true qualities of a righteous God centered life. Until I see you again, I will live by your example. The Lord gave us 29 years of happiness together. How thankful I am!
Robert’s viewing will be held at JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE at 757 E Main Street in Ventura on Wednesday, September 29th from 5 to 8 P.M. Seating is limited. We respectfully request mask guidelines be followed. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, September 30th at New Life Community Church, 1251 N Rice Ave, Oxnard at 10 AM with interment immediately following at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura. A reception will be held at Spanish Hills Club located at 999 Crestview Ave, Camarillo.
I will always be indebted to his many friends, especially Roland Holliday, who was with Robert when he started feeling ill, and to Luis Garcia, a colleague and former Marine, who watched over and guarded his brother until the Angels of the Lord escorted him home to his loving Lord and Savior.