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Diane Kurtz Hartley posted a condolence
Sunday, April 25, 2021
My father, Harry Philip Kurtz, Jr (Phil), was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania on February 12, 1926. He moved to St. Petersburg in 1931. Phil attended Roser Park Elementary, Southside Junior High and St. Petersburg High School. He graduated from St. Petersburg High school in 1943. He enjoyed working on the reunions throughout his life.
After graduating from St. Pete High, Phil attended Florida Southern College where he helped build the Frank Lloyd Wright houses to make extra money in college. He quit to join the Army. He served as a paratrooper in the 13th Airborne Division in Europe during World War II. His division luckily saw no action. They were called the “Lucky 13”. After the Army he attended University of Tampa and graduated with a business degree in 1949.
In 1947, Phil married June Van Son. They were married 67 years until she passed at age 90 in 2014. He missed her very much.
Phil Kurtz was employed by City Loan Company for 8 years and retired after 25 years from Florida National Bank. While at Florida National Bank he ran the installment loan department and was Vice President of the bank. He was even featured in the bank’s newspaper ads and was even pictured on a billboard.
Dad strongly believed in the power of education and believed the education was the way to get ahead. He was treasurer of the United Negro Scholarship Fund in the 60’s. He and Mom would be the only white people attending the parties and balls associated with the United Negro Scholarship Fund. He would always tell us, “when you go to college….” I never knew that there was a choice not to go to college.
Phil Kurtz was very involved in the community. He believed that it was important to give back to your community. Dad was a member and past president of the Breakfast Sertoma, past president of the Sales and Marketing Club, volunteered at the Christmas Toy Shop. He was Grand Marshal of St. Pete’s Christmas parade. He was an active member of Allendale Methodist Church. He loved collecting model trains and working on his layout and trains. He also loved restoring his Model A’s and was an active member of clubs for trains and old cars. He also volunteered at the Heritage Park., Northeast High School Band Boosters and St. Petersburg Bicycle Club. He taught banking at the America Institute of Banking. He was always helping others.
Dad had a sense of humor. As a teenager, he put a firecracker under a street car in St. Pete. He loved to tell jokes and laugh at other people’s jokes. His laughter was loud and contagious. He had a talent of being able to remember everyone’s name and about their family. Where ever we went on vacation, he would always see someone he knew.
Dad taught us the importance of uncompromising integrity and honesty. He taught us strength and independence. He insisted that we always do our best. He did demand perfection- at a minimum our best, which shaped us all. He was always there when we needed him.
He was able to retire in his 50’s. He bought a house in Hayesville, North Carolina. He and Mom spent every summer and fall in North Carolina when they weren’t traveling.
Dad had a cocktail at 4 to 5 o’clock every day. Raise your next glass and toast Phil Kurtz, a life lived fully and with love and devotion to his family.
We will always love you
Diane
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Dave & Lori Estabrook posted a condolence
Monday, March 29, 2021
Dear Rick, Vickie, and Family:
So sorry about the passing of Rick's father! Sending prayers to all of the Kurtz family and wishing all our blessings during these challenging times!
Take Care,
Dave & Lori Estabrook
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Anne Wiley posted a condolence
Monday, March 29, 2021
Phil was a wonderful neighbor when we lived across the street with young children. He was caring,helpful,& very humble as took years for his distinguished community&career path to unfold to us. We were sorry he moved away as imagine he was a great mentor. He was always active & busy. now that we just learned his age, see he was my father’s age & certainly earned his stripes to be one of the greatest generation. Our condolences & admiration to his family.
Anne & Bob Wiley
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Max&Sandy Ramos posted a condolence
Monday, March 29, 2021
Goodbye to a true American hero. Long may your story be told. Our condolences to the family.
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Barbara Bernice Creech posted a condolence
Sunday, March 28, 2021
Phil was always a great co=worker at the bank. We enjoyed the retirement lunches at the Yacht Club. But our fondest memory were the outings at Sawgrass Park eating the HOBO Stew that Phil concocted. Blessings to all his family. Bernice Creech
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Wallace Hood posted a condolence
Sunday, March 28, 2021
I met Phil in the 1960’s when he was a loan officer at Florida National Bank and I was a loan officer at First National Bank. We loaned each other small loans, at arms length of course. He was a friend and fine gentleman. Wally Hood
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Ed Bittman posted a condolence
Sunday, March 28, 2021
So sorry to hear of Phils passing. I first met Phil when we worked for different banks. Then we ran into each other at various car shows and finally we were in a model train club, (SAFE). together. His train layout was a work of art and we enjoyed many hours with it. Rest in peace my friend and keep the trains running.
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Laurie Hempel posted a condolence
Sunday, March 28, 2021
So sorry to see Phil's obituary in this morning's paper. My deepest sympathy to Rick, Diane and Rob. He accomplished his wish to live to 95! Phil and June were wonderful friends to Eddie and me, and we loved the times we shared with them, and Blanche & Howard Audibert, chasing trains together. He will be greatly missed, indeed, and we have grand memories to treasure forever. May God bless all of you with His love and comfort at this difficult time. Laurie
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James Dusil posted a condolence
Sunday, March 28, 2021
I worked with Phil at Florida National Bank from 1971 to 1983. Phil was in charge of the Installment Loan Department and was an excellent loan officer. I used to go out on calls and tell people I worked at FNB and they would say "Oh, Phil's bank". Phil knew many people and was friends with all of them. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone. I saw Phil several times after he retired from the bank and will miss him very much.
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Tom Gibson posted a condolence
Sunday, March 28, 2021
So sorry to hear of Phil passing, he and June were a wonderful friends to Gib and Audrey, and I have many fond memories of our adventures in NC and bike rides.
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The family of Phil Kurtz uploaded a photo
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
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