Posted by Terry Powers on March 13, 2023:

MAURICE K. KURTZ JR. 1949 Cullum No. 16813-1949 | May 20, 2005 | Died in Satellite Beach, FL Interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA Maurice Keyes "Monk" Kurtz, Jr. was born in June 1927 at Ft. Sill, OK, the only son of Maurice K. Kurtz '19 and Margaret Turpin Kurtz. Bright and imaginative, he was adept at turning games into projects, and projects into adventures. His father, a career Field Artillery officer, taught him how to hunt, shoot, and fend for himself in a military environment. His mother, he recalled, "didn't want to know what we were up to." As an "Army brat," he became accustomed to moving, but during World War II his parents stabilized his education by enrolling him at Oak Ridge Military Institute in North Carolina. His outstanding performance there led to an appointment to West Point in July 1945. At the Academy, Monk had little trouble adjusting to the system. He breezed through academics, helping roommates and other classmates on frequent occasions. An accomplished rifleman, he starred on the Corps Squad Rifle team, earning a Minor "A." He also joined the Ski, Camera, Radio, Model Airplane and Model Railroad Clubs. On one occasion, his enthusiasm for model trains (in the barracks) almost provoked a confrontation with his tactical officer - until the latter discovered he had served with Monk's father in Europe a few years earlier. Thus Monk averted a minor crisis, displaying political finesse that would often be needed in later years. Upon graduation, Monk entered the Corps of Engineers and, after the usual training, headed to Japan for a two-year tour. Enroute, however, the Korean conflict erupted and Monk was diverted to join his unit, the 3rd Engineer Battalion, 24th Infantry Division, in Korea. He arrived in July 1950, just in time to cover the retreat of Task Force Smith into the Pusan Perimeter. Under the desperate conditions of those days, he performed both Engineer and Infantry duties, at one point becoming the only officer remaining in his company. After the perimeter breakout of September 1950, Monk and his unit supported the 21st Infantry Regiment during their subsequent advances and retreats into an eventual stalemate position over the next 18 months. He remained in Korea until the entire division was withdrawn to Japan in early 1952. By that time, he had earned the Bronze Star, seven campaign stars, and more rotation points than anyone else in his unit! More importantly, he had met his future wife (during a short break in Tokyo) and was about to make captain. Life was definitely looking better. Returning stateside, Monk became the assistant professor of military science for engineers at Clemson University, SC. But before immersing himself in teaching duties, he arranged a second date with his wife-to-be, Barbara Hester. Fortunately, her father was stationed at Ft. McClellan, AL, simplifying his courtship. On 15 Aug 1952, Barbara and he were married at Ft. McClellan. Thus began a lifelong partnership that produced many fond memories and three wonderful children: Maurice III, Rosalie, and Roxanne. Later came four grandchildren, including a grandson who would enter the Air Force Academy some 50 years later. Following the Clemson years, Monk's career shifted into high gear. He earned a master's degree in structural dynamics at the University of Illinois, then served at the Engineer Research and Development Laboratories, HQ, USAREUR, and in the Office of the Chief of Engineers as a nuclear weapons effects expert. After completing Command and General Staff College and serving a short tour in Korea on the Eighth Army staff, he spent a memorable two-plus years at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory as deputy director and director, Nuclear Cratering Group. He next commanded several Engineer battalions and groups and was promoted to colonel. Even then, Monk's education continued: he subsequently attended Purdue University, earning a PhD in photo-grammetry in 1971. During those two very busy years, his wife received her BS degree, and his son graduated from high school. After Purdue, Monk came home to Ft. Belvoir, VA, where he remained, quite happily, for the remainder of his military service. Initially assigned as director, Department of Topography, at the Army Engineer School, he successfully guided its transformation into the Defense Mapping School. Continuing there for three more years, he earned a well-deserved reputation as "the last of the great horse traders." At that point, he considered retiring but was offered a position he could not refuse: commander of the Army Engineering Topographic Laboratories, also at Ft. Belvoir. It was arguably the best job of his career; but two years later, with his youngest daughter approaching high school age, he decided it was time to change gears, settle down, and get on with the rest of his life. With relatives in Florida, what better place to begin? In 1977, the family moved to Satellite Beach, FL. It was a perfect retirement setting, but Monk wasn't quite ready to retire. Within a few months, he joined the faculty of the Florida Institute of Technology and never looked back. Moving up quickly from assistant to associate to full professor of Civil Engineering, he played a key role in developing the curriculum at FIT and establishing a new computer graphics laboratory. He continued this second career until 1997, retiring as professor emeritus. Along the way, he was licensed as a Professional Engineer, became a mentor to many students, and pursued several hobbies, including gardening and genealogy. Monk's final challenge was unexpected but unrelenting - Parkinson's disease. He fought it with courage and grace for 12 years, but the outcome was inevitable. Now that he is gone, what memories remain? Simply these: Monk was bright, honest, kind, and thoughtful; a gentleman and scholar, at peace with himself and the world. Whether we recall him as soldier, teacher, friend, or loved one, we all miss him from the world we shared. May he rest in peace. His family and classmates

admin