Stephen Guild Kurtz ’48

Steve Kurtz, principal emeritus of Phillips Exeter Academy, died Jan. 24, 2008, of pancreatic cancer.  He will be remembered at Exeter for the faithfulness and the generosity with which he served the school. He facilitated the transition in the early days of coeducation and brought women into the mainstream of Exeter life. Steve joined us by way of Stony Brook School on Long Island. He was a member of Prospect. He sang with the Nassoons, was president of the Glee Club, and graduated with a bachelor's in history. He and Jeanne, daughter of Dean Francis Godolphin '24 *29, were married in 1947 and produced a daughter and two sons. Steve's career was in academia. His Ph.D. was from Penn. He taught and coached at Kent School for five years before being appointed a Fulbright professor at Wabash College. At various times he was on the faculty of Hamilton College, William and Mary, and Columbia and also served as interim president of Athens College after his distinguished tenure at Exeter. Our condolences are offered to Steve's children, Sharon, Thomas, and Stephen, and four grandchildren on the death of a remarkable educator.