Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, a friend to many valued for his good judgement and excellent advice, a lifelong New York Giants fan and an avid Brooklyn Dodgers fan in his youth, Kurt John Kuehn, formerly of Suffern, New York and Punta Gorda, Florida passed away on November 27, 2025.
Kurt was born on August 26, 1931 to Alma and Alois Kuehn in New York City. Alma and Alois came to the United States from Germany in the 1920’s and met in their evening English language classes. Alma worked as a housekeeper and Alois worked in a meat-packing plant where he learned the skills to open his butcher-shop business in New York City. Kurt worked part-time in the butcher shop throughout his childhood.
After graduating from high school, Kurt joined the Navy for four years, serving on the USS Coral Sea (1951 – 1952) and the USS Steinaker (1952 – 1954). One of his commanding officers saw his intellectual and military potential and offered to sponsor him for the Naval Academy but he declined. Dad would often tell us stories about how his commanding officers always wanted him at the helm of the destroyer or aircraft carrier he was stationed on, whenever they were pulling alongside another ship. He’d get the call, “Kuehn to the bridge”. He had an unusual ability to pilot the ship, understanding ocean currents and having a good feel for the ships’ engines and maneuverability.
Meeting his wife Claire after discharge from the Navy, he decided to further his education at night while working to sell insurance. We often wondered how he managed it all since they had young children early in their marriage. Being a young father, working full-time and going to school at night was his life for many years. After graduating from Seton Hall University, Kurt and Claire moved the young family to Rockland County, New York after Dad took a job teaching mathematics at Mahwah High School, New Jersey. He continued his education by taking night classes at universities in New Jersey. Education was a constant focus of his life and he said to us often, “Anyone who can handle the coursework in college should attend college.” Dad started as a teacher and was quickly recognized as an effective leader and rose through the ranks serving as Chairman of the Mathematics Department at Mahwah High School, as well as District Supervisor of Curriculum for Mathematics and Computers (Grades K-12) for many years. Mom was always very proud of his career accomplishments; they worked together as a team to support his career advancement while raising six children.
Dad was a good athlete; he played basketball in the Navy, and we remember him teaching his four sons how to play on our home driveway court. Installing a basketball hoop was one of the first things he did upon moving to the Suffern house. Hearing the basketball bouncing on the driveway with the boys playing (or arguing) was life in Suffern. At first, Dad didn’t want to move to the Suffern house. Mom, feeling their current home was much too small for a family of eight, secretly found the new development and took Dad to see it. Once he walked through the model home, he was sold. After they closed on the house, Mom suggested the two of them go to McDonald’s to celebrate. Dad said, “Claire, we have $12.00 left in our bank account, sorry we can’t afford it”. Money was frequently very tight for our family but that house and neighborhood was a great gift to the family, creating many good memories and lifelong family friends.
Over the years, Kurt honed his sailing skills on the Hudson River, often recruiting his children as unsuspecting deck hands. After retirement, he captained his sailboat on a three-month journey with Claire as they sailed down the Intracoastal Waterway, stopping at many coastal towns and marinas along the way as they evaluated where they wanted to retire. They settled on Punta Gorda, Florida due to the climate and year-round sailing opportunities. Retiring to Punta Gorda was an exciting time for our parents as they had the finances to continue sailing, joining the Isles Yacht Club where they served on many committees. Active in the Punta Gorda community, Kurt served as Commodore of the Isles Yacht Club and enjoyed organizing sailing trips with other members to visit marinas up and down the Florida gulf coast. They took almost thirty ocean cruises on Princess Cruise Line, traveling all over the world; he loved being on ships of any kind as it reminded him of his years in the Navy. A post-career highlight was learning that a mathematics scholarship at Mahwah High School for a graduating senior was being funded and formed in his name by a former student, (a student who went on to attend MIT and pursue a distinguished science career). He was very emotional and grateful for the recognition as he was able to attend the inaugural Jae Lim Foundation awards presentation of the annual “Kurt Kuehn Mathematics Award”.
As Mom’s health worsened, they relocated to Miramar Beach, Florida to be closer to family. Kurt’s family is deeply appreciative of the staff of the Blake Assisted Living and Memory Care facility who were so helpful, professional and caring to our parents in their last years. Having excellent help right outside their door at the Blake was a gift. We are also very grateful to the caregivers at Christlike Senior Care Services who took care of our parents round the clock in their final weeks. Kurt was predeceased by his parents and his beloved wife, Claire, who passed away just over one year ago. He is survived by his six children, twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Dad felt that half of him was missing after Mom died; he stayed busy on his computer and with his reading but he felt that his quality of life had worsened terribly. As much as we will miss him, we are grateful that he no longer has to endure life without Mom.
Dad never lost his wonderful sense of humor, often kidding and teasing those around him. Along with his remarkable intelligence, his knowledge of history, his insights and wisdom about current events, he often surprised us with his funny comments that forced you to laugh or smile. Thank you, Dad, for everything you did for Mom as her health failed, you were steadfast and dedicated to her care up to her last breath. She always knew you were nearby as she was fading from life and we know that gave her great comfort. Thank you for everything, we love you and will miss you.
