Richard Kurt von Maur MD

Richard Kurt von Maur MD passed away at home surrounded by the love of his family on February 6th, 2024. Kurt was born May 17th, 1942 to Jacob E. von Maur and Elizabeth (Thomas) von Maur in Columbus, Ohio. 

Kurt was the oldest of two siblings, welcoming his little sister Judi in 1946. He attended Greenbrier Military School in West Virginia for two years, got his act together and graduated from Upper Arlington High School in Ohio in 1960. Kurt attended The Ohio State University where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. After graduating from OSU with a degree in Industrial Engineering, he returned and earned a medical degree in 1969.

The summer of 1968 found Kurt and his fiancé Sharon Rowland receiving their pilot licenses from the aviation program at OSU. This was the beginning of a lifelong adventure together. Kurt and Sharon married in 1968 and a year later moved to Gainesville, FL for his internship and residency in Internal Medicine. In 1972, they moved to Baltimore, MD where they welcomed their first child Kathryn. As an allergy resident at Johns Hopkins, he co-authored articles in multiple medical journals. Moving abroad in 1974, they landed in Frankfort, Germany where Kurt served as a Major in the U.S. Army. After completing his service and adding daughter Kristine to the mix, he returned to the States with his young family to settle down. Kurt loved the Gun Lake area, having spent every summer there as a boy at the family cottage. Therefore, moving to Michigan to establish his allergy practice and raise his growing family was an easy choice, even as a Buckeye. 

Kurt was a devoted husband and father, so proud of his four daughters. An ever-present father and Opa, he could always be counted on to support his daughters and grandchildren in all their academic and extracurricular pursuits. Kurt enjoyed the fun of lake living, playing with family and friends on Gourdneck Lake. In his retirement he delved into the work of improving his bridge game and golfing skills. He loved to travel and leaves us with many fond memories of trips taken, especially with the Flying Physicians Association. Kurt was proud to have earned the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award with his co-pilot Sharon for 50 years of safe flying.  

Always giving back to his community, he was a volunteer assistant wrestling coach at Portage Central High School for 15 years. “Doc’s” contributions helped the Mustang Wrestling team grow into the established program it is today. For 25 years he served as an associate clinical professor of internal medicine for MSU/KCMS. Kurt received the Board-Certified Allergist Award for over 40 years of service in Southwest Michigan. He was honored for his service to his patients and lasting contributions to the field of Allergy and Immunology.

Kurt is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Sharon Rowland von Maur and their four daughters: Kathryn von Maur, daughters Hazel and Sylvie of Grand Rapids, MI and her partner David Bolliet, daughters Marine and Chloé, and grandson Yannis; Kristine Borg and husband Dustin, sons Miles and Henry of Poway, CA; Carolyn von Maur DO and son Ocean, and his father Jordan Rivera of Portage, MI; Allison Rotzien and husband Jared, daughters Frances and Anawae of Christie Lake, Lawrence, MI. He is also survived by his sister Judith Perry, her daughter Elizabeth Eaglin and son David Perry, and their families; sister-in-law Sandra Davidson and husband Jim, their daughters Debra Lane and Cheryl Alexander, and their families; cousin Frances (von Maur) Utley and husband John and their family.

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 411 E Centre Ave Portage, MI 49002 on Monday, February 19, 2024. A graveside service with full military honors will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Please arrive by 9:50 am for the 10:00 am service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Kurt by donating to First Tee of West Michigan, Portage Public Library, Hospital Hospitality House of Southwest Michigan, or The American Cancer Society. To view Kurt’s personalized webpage, please visit https://www.langelands.com