Robert J. Kurtz, 74, of North Ridgeville, passed away at his residence on Thursday, December 20, 2007, following a battle with cancer. He was born in Cleveland on June 2, 1933. Mr. Kurtz had resided in North Ridgeville since 1971.
He attended Lincoln High School in Cleveland and graduated from Lakewood High School in 1951.
Mr. Kurtz sold advertising for several publications for many years and started his career at the former Cleveland Press where he also sold advertising. He retired in 1997.
Mr. Kurtz was also a magician since he was 14 years old and performed as a magician for several years throughout the Cleveland area. At age 17, he was billed as the youngest fire-eating magician in the United States. He was a member of the Cleveland Magicians Club I.B.M. Ring 23, the International Brotherhood of Magicians I.B.M. #14278M and the Society of American Magicians.
He enjoyed traveling, gambling, wine tasting and playing pool.
He is survived by daughters, Melody Thomas (Steve) of Brookpark and Sherry Kurtz of Elyria; sons, Robert Kurtz Jr. (Pam) of Elyria and Robin Kurtz (Janet) of Amherst; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen (nee Engle) in 2006; and by his parents, Robert and Thelma (nee Converse) Kurtz.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 5 P.M. Sunday, December 23, 2007 at the Liston Funeral Home, 36403 Center Ridge Rd., North Ridgeville, where Funeral services will follow at 5 P.M. Rev. Chuck Behrens will officiate. Private entombment will be in the mausoleum at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Avon.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 43099 N. Ridge Rd., Elyria, OH 44035
 

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