Richard Wurtz

RICHARD JOSEPH WURTZ Richard Joseph Wurtz, 66, of Mound City, Kansas, died Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at his home. He was born January 11, 1940 in Mound City, Kansas, the son of Wesley William and Ruth Merriman Wurtz. Richard graduated from Mound City Rural High School in 1957. He married Janice Elizabeth Holt in 1961. He attended the University of Kansas, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1961 and his Masters Degree in 1967. He taught history at the University of Kansas, Southern Illinois University, St. Louis Community College and Eden Theological Seminary and was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta. Richard was a farmer and owned George W. Huff Abstract Company and he was also a real estate broker. He was a developer of Amer Heights and Chairman of Health Services Association, Linn County Economic Development Secretary , Lake Region Resource, Conservation & Development Association board member, Kansas Cavalry; Southeast Kansas Tourism Region, Inc. board member; Chairman of the Linn County Democratic Committee; Chairman of the Kansas Democratic County Chair's Association and he served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1996 and member of the Selective Service System Area 6, Kansas. Richard was a member of the International Right of Way Association where he served as the Chair of the Professional Development Committee; Chairman of Region 3; member of the year Chapter 5 and President of Chapter 5; Richard was President of Phoenix Land & Title Company and Phoenix Properties. He was a lifetime member of the Mound City Lodge #33, Pastmaster in 1999. He served as Mayor of Mound City, Kansas from 1997-2001. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Mound City, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Donald. Survivors include his wife, Janice of the home in Mound City and two sons; Joseph & Christopher Wurtz, both of Mound City and one daughter, Melissa Helmuth & husband, Paul of Overland Park, Kansas; one brother, Alan Wurtz of Houston, Texas; 2 grandchildren, Tristian and Jenae Wurtz. Richard donated his body to the University of Kansas for medical research. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 26, 2006 at the United Methodist Church, Mound City, Kansas. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until service time. Memorial contributions are suggested to the University of Kansas Endowment Association c/of Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home. Arrangements: Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home, Mound City, Kansas. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.coffelschneider.com