ROBERT H. KURTZ, 86, Major, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 2nd, 2011 at his Hingham residence after a brief illness. Major Kurtz was born in Confluence, PA where he graduated from High School. He attended Grove City College in Pennsylvania before serving with the Air Force from 1944 to 1964. As an Air Force pilot Major Kurtz had over 10,000 hours in the air and flew 35 combat missions with the 456th Bomber Group in Cerignolo, Italy. He was the holder of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, European Theatre Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, was involved in the Berlin Airlift and earned the Air Force Longevity Service Medal with 4 Bronze Clusters. When on active duty he was stationed in Italy, Iceland, Germany, Alaska, Bermuda as well as bases in the United States.
Following his military service, Major Kurtz was a real estate broker and appraiser. He was Past President of the Plymouth County Multiple Listing Service, a lifetime member of the Plymouth County Board of Realtors and for many years was an elected member of the Town of Hingham Board of Assessors. He was a member of the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Hingham, the Hingham Historical Society, the Wardroom Club of Boston, the South Shore Chapter of Retired Officers' Assoc., the Distinguished Flying Cross Club of Calif. and the Hingham Yacht Club. His interests included; model railroading, model airplanes, photography, canoeing and was co-owner of Kurhaus Antiques.
Husband of the late Jean (DeForest) Kurtz, he leaves his daughter Robin (Kurtz) Miyamoto and her husband Keith of Topinabee, Mich. Also survived by 5 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Jean Kirst.
A Memorial Service will be conducted on Saturday, Nov. 26th at 11 AM at The Church of St. John the Evangelist, 172 Main St., Hingham, MA 02043. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Church of St. John the Evangelist or The Hingham Historical Society, P.O. Box 434, Hingham, MA 02043.
The interment was private.