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Herbert “Bart” Kurze, lifelong resident of Deep River, departed this life on Aug. 7 at age 96. He was the grandson of German immigrants who came to Deep River from Hannover, Germany, in 1890. On his mother’s side, he was a descendant of John Beebe who arrived in Boston Harbor in 1650 and who was influential in settling New London.

Dad was drafted midway through his senior year at Deep River High School to join the “Greatest Generation” as a member of the Army Air Corps, 8th Air Force, 490th Bomb Group, serving as a B-17 mechanic in Eye, England. Returning home, he married a local girl from Chester, Dorothy Dickinson, and began working at Uarco Incorporated in Deep River. He retired from Uarco after 38 years.

Dad’s love for his country and its flag were evident throughout his life. He will be remembered for his service to the community as an election poll worker into his nineties, for selling poppies in May in front of Adams Grocery Store, volunteering for the annual clean up at the Winthrop Cemetery for 45 years, distributing American Flags to veterans’ graves at both Fountain Hill and Winthrop Cemetery, and marching in every Memorial Day parade since 1946. “Bart” was a member of the American Legion Post #61 and he along with three other WWII veterans from Deep River were given a heartfelt send-off from the town when they traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the opening of the World War II Memorial. April to October, Herb could be found in his garden or watching his beloved Boston Red Sox. He cherished time spent with his family.

He leaves his loving wife of 73 years, Dorothy Dickinson Kurze; his daughters Kathleen (Dennis) Schultz of Deep River, Sandra (Edward) Meaney of Guilford, and Pamela (Cyrus) Kissling of Stuart, Florida, and Essex; five grandchildren, Thomas (Chelsea) Schultz, Karyn (Peter Kendzierski) Schultz, Christopher (Kristin) Meaney, Erin Meaney, and Tanner Kissling; seven great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. He also leaves his sister Barbara (Bob) Perreault and his sister-in-law Doris Kurze and many nieces and nephews. Herbert was predeceased by his parents John J. and Ruth Beebe Kurze, and his siblings John R., Ruby, Lillian, and Elizabeth.

Visitation will be held on Aug. 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main St. in Centerbrook. A graveside service with the rendering of Full Military Honors will follow at the Fountain Hill Cemetery, 57 High St. in Deep River. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Herbert’s name to The Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168, or to The Deep River American Legion Post #61, (Flag Fund), PO Box 114, Deep River, CT 06417-0114. To share a memory of Bart, or send a condolence to his family, please visit www.rwwfh.com.