Robert M. Kurtz Jr.

Robert Meyers 'Rob' or 'Bob' Kurtz Jr, of State College and formerly of Clearfield, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Foxdale Village, State College. He died of age-inflicted ailments.

He was a lifelong resident of Clearfield and the fifth generation of his family to live in Clearfield until he and his wife Marilyn moved to State College.

Rob was born in Clearfield on February 26, 1933.

He married Marilyn Mears Swails Kurtz on July 20, 1991.

Rob was a loving father, husband and grandfather.

Rob attended Clearfield schools with his high school graduation from the Mercersburg Academy in 1952. He later served as President of the Mercersburg Alumni Council and three terms on the Academy Board of Regents. He was awarded the 2017 Mercersburg Academy Alumni Council Medal for Distinguished Service. In 1956 he graduated from the University of Redlands, Redlands, California. He had also attended Penn State for several years.

Rob was past President and Chairman of Kurtz Bros. the school supply and printing firm of Clearfield which was founded by his grandfather, Chas T. Kurtz. Rob Kurtz led the company for over 25 years making it an employee owned company before he retired. That achievement over the years has kept many hundreds of jobs in the Clearfield area.

Rob Kurtz considered that his most gratifying achievement for Clearfield was when he and he alone, established the Clearfield County Charitable Foundation in 1984. He was proud of this permanent legacy bestowed on Clearfield for which he had the greatest admiration. Since Rob established the Charitable Foundation it has been contributed to and extended by many persons and charitable groups who have done much to enhance the charities of Clearfield County well beyond any vision that Rob had for them. For that he is most appreciative and thankful to so many friends.

An author, historian and photographer Rob published three photographic books as well as several family historic books. He participated in many local and area photographic exhibits. He and his wife Marilyn made numerous travels and published many photographs from those trips.

His historic writings, research and photos ranged from Central Pennsylvania (his favorite subject) to Timbuktu and around-the-world. In addition he preserved family historic relics of which many are in the Clearfield County Historical Society.

Rob was a great reader who valued the writings of some of our finest authors and historians. He enjoyed the out-of-doors and much area wildlife which he photographed.

His photographic books are available from the Clearfield Shaw Library. The book titles are "Americana Roads and A Backward Look at Traveled Roads, both of which are photographic books.

He was a member of the Clearfield Presbyterian Church where he served as Trustee and Elder.

He served on active duty in the U.S. Army with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany and later in the Army Reserves in Clearfield.

Kurtz was a leader of many Clearfield civic, charitable and economic endeavors.

He was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Public Service Degree by Lock Haven University at their 2014 commencement exercises. Rob was one of the founders of the Clearfield Campus of Lock Haven University and a member of the Clearfield Education Foundation.

He served 50 years on the Boards of Directors of the local CBT Bank, now Mid Penn Bank of Halifax, Pennsylvania.

He was President of the Clearfield Shaw Library Board and served on the Boards of the Clearfield Area United Way and the YMCA. He received the Clearfield YMCA Outstanding Citizen 100th Anniversary Award.

Mr. Kurtz served 30 years on the Board of the Clearfield Chamber of Commerce and received their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 as well as the 2002 Rotary Club Outstanding Citizen Award. He was recognized in 2002 for his long time dedication to the Clearfield County Historical Society. Rob served 40 years on the Clearfield Economic Development Foundation.

He was a member of the Clearfield Elks BPOE 540, a longtime member of the Kiwanis Club and was involved in the Clearfield Redevelopment Authority. In addition he served as President of The National School Supply & Equipment Association in 1978. For many years he was on the Board of the Stuttering Foundation of America.

Rob came from a long line of passionate, civic minded and gifted ancestors. He was the sixth generation of his family to reside in Clearfield County. His great-great grandfather, Frederick Gregory Betts was the second pastor of the Clearfield Presbyterian Church. Rob and his wife Marilyn gave the adjoining Church Meditation Garden in memory of Reverend and Mrs. Betts as well as in memory of Rob's parents, Robert M. & Dorothy Betts Kurtz and his brother, Charles T. Kurtz, III.

Politically active in the Republican Party, he was elected the youngest delegate to the 1964 National GOP Convention where he strongly supported Pennsylvania's Governor William W. Scranton for President. Rob also served five terms on the PA GOP State Committee.

In his younger days he was an amateur magician who performed many magic shows for local charities throughout Central Pennsylvania.

He is survived by a niece, Karen Kurtz Earl and her son Colin Kurtz Earl; and a nephew, Charles Kenneth Kurtz and his sons Ryan Kurtz and Adam Kurtz, all of State College. Rob is also survived by two sons, Robert Michael Kurtz and David William Kurtz and his wife Adrienne, who all reside in California; four grandchildren, Robert Marsh Kurtz and his wife Rebecca and their daughter Blake, Garratt, Wyatt and Helena Kurtz. Other surviving family includes Marty Bollinger, Sam and Sophie Bollinger as well as Colin Marsh and wife Becca and Karis Genish and husband Brian.

He is preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, whom he married in 1991 at the Old North Church, of Paul Revere fame, in Boston. He is also preceded in death by his parents, Robert M. and Dorothy Betts Kurtz in 1988 and 1989; a brother, Charles T. Kurtz III passed away in 1964. A twin brother of Michael is also deceased as is Rob's step-daughter, Wendy Bollinger.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any fund in the Clearfield County Charitable Foundation, by visiting www.clearfieldcharitablefoundation.org, or send a donation to:  P.O. Box 1442, Clearfield, PA 16830 or any other charity of the donors choice.

A joint memorial service for Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz will be held in the spring..

Beardsley Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

To sign the on-line guest book go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.