I am in shock to learn of Kurt's death after over a year and a half!!  Although we had a long re-union by phone a few years ago, Kurt was never far from my thoughts and memory.  I was Kurt's sax teacher, band director and jazz ensemble director while Kurt was a student at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music (Shenandoah University) in Winchester, VA.  He was a student I most admired for his creativity, his willingness to think the unthinkable, and speak the unspeakable.  I will always remember the day that I took him to see a 3-acre plot of beautiful woods I had purchased to build a home.  His comment:  "It's a shame to mess this up with a house!"  Throughout his college experience, I gave him much latitude to explore and be as creative as his talents would allow.  He was always a feature in the jazz ensemble, and loved to explore the low woodwinds of the band.  I will miss knowing he is around.  He was truly one of a kind, and a beautiful part of my memory as a teacher.

I have been thinking about Kurt lately and decided to google him only to be shocked of his feath 31/2 years ago..what a loss to us all..a great person, and a one of a kind musician.Even though it has been many years since we both attented Shenandoah, I still laugh at Kurt's one liners..always broke up the classes!!