Longtime civic president, CB 10 member Bob Kurz, 77
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, AUGUST 3 14 0-SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 BTR
Kurz in 2016 at the SHCA’s pie-eating contest, part of the organization’s
annual summer olympics. Photo courtesy of the Schuyler Hill Civic Association
BY STEVEN GOODSTEIN
A beloved Throggs Neck
community activist passed
away recently.
Longtime Schuyler Hill
Civic Association president and
Community Board 10 member
Robert Kurz passed away on
Friday, August 16. He was 77.
Born in 1941, Bob lived on
Pennyfi eld Avenue and Fern
Place for 50 years, not far
from the SHCA’s waterfront
clubhouse located at Mitchell
Place.
After graduating from City
College he taught printing and
woodworking at an Eastchester
school for 30 years.Bob held
many popular events as president
of the Schuyler Hill Civic
Association, including holiday
parties and the organization’s
annual Summer Olympics
and beach cleanups Labor Day
beach closing competitions.
The summer olympics included
running and swimming
races, hula hoop challenges,
potato sack and three-legged
races, egg throwing, cupcake
decorating, pie eating and watermelon
eating contests. He
was the SHCA president for 30
years.
It was not uncommon to fi nd
him at Restaurant Depot or various
box stores purchasing the
supplies and food items for the
upcoming weekend activities.
During his presidency, the
biggest threat to the club’s existence
came when the city
started to dramatically escalate
property tax on not-forprofi
t beach clubs. To counter
this drastic revenue challenge
he reversed the club’s declining
membership by scouting
out new members from adjoining
communities that did not
have the amnities that SHCA
had to offer and almost singlehandedly,
relying on a small
army of volunteers, turned the
off-season party room rentals
into a booming income-generating
resource.
“He was well loved by the
neighborhood - he would give
you the shirt off his back,” said
Anthony Romeo, vice president
of the Schuyler Hill Civic Association,
who knew Kurz for two
decades. “He was instrumental
in the success of the (Schuyler
Hill) Civic Association, and
just a great man.”
“He is was such a loving -
such a caring individual,” said
Laurie Conception, who was
one of Kurz’ best friends. He
loved the (SHCA) as much as
anything - he made improving
the association his mission.
He was also a great neighbor
and always strived to make his
community better.”
“Bob was a steady infl uence
on the community board,” said
Joseph Russo, CB10 chairman,
who knew Kurz for 15 years.
“This is a major loss for the
community - and he will be
missed greatly.”
“He loved everybody in the
community - he just wanted everyone
to have a good time and
be happy,” said Marie Christian,
volunteer at the Schuyler
Hill Civic Association.
Bob’s physical health had
deteriorated over the past fi ve
years and he required an electric
scooter to get from place-toplace.
Bob’s wake was held at
Schuyler Hill Funeral Home.
Visitations took place on Tuesday
and the service was held
on Wednesday, August 21. He
was interred at St. Raymond’s
Cemetery. Thursday, August 22
would have marked Bob’s 78th
birthday. He is survived by his
two daughters, Debbie and Michelle.
Bob’s wife, Rosemary,
passed away in 2018.