JACK Kurtz: May 21, 1957 to October 19, 2021

Posted by ZUMAPRESS.com on October 20, 2021
Posted in: ZUMALAND. 1 Comment

‘ZUMA fam think of jack today and remember, better to have known him.. we are lucky, for his was a bright light…
It’s a very sad day. We lost Jack Kurtz today. They say you can not loss unless you had something to loss… I was blessed to have a friend like Jack and we all were thru his gift of seeing and telling stories that needed to be seen! Thank you Jack:) Miss your big light and will look into the skies tonight to see your star!’ – fellow Visualist, Scott Mc Kiernan ZUMA Press Wire Service

May 18, 2010 – Bangkok, Thailand – A Thai Buddhist monk flashes the peace sign as he walks through Din Daeng intersection, while others take cover from snipers. The area has been under periodic sniper fire near Thai military lines. Nearly a week after Thai troops started firing on protesters and Bangkok residents took to the streets in violent protest against the government, protesters continued to set up roadblocks and flaming tire barricades across parts of the city (Credit Image: Jack Kurtz/ZUMA Wire)
Colorado City is home to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) which split from the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). Polygamy is the practice of marriage to more than one spouse simultaneously. Recent research states there are as many as 37,000 fundamentalists, with less than half of them living in polygamous households in Arizona and Utah. Most of the polygamy is believed to be restricted to about a dozen extended groups of polygamous fundamentalists. The FLDS Prophet (Credit Image: Jack Kurtz/ZUMA Wire)
PRESIDENT SELFIE: January 18, 2020, Indianola, Iowa, USA: Former U.S. Vice President JOE BIDEN, candidate for President in Democrat primaries, takes selfies with students after speaking during a campaign event at Simpson College Saturday. About 250 people came to Simpson College to listen to Vice President talk about his reasons for running for President. Iowa hosts the first event of the presidential election cycle. The Iowa Caucuses are in two weeks on February 3rd. (Credit Image: © Jack Kurtz/ZUMA Press Wire)

From Jack’s widow Cathy Kurtz:

“The end… John, better known as JACK Kurtz: May 21, 1957 to October 19, 2021

 Photographers know that the perfect picture may take time to develop. Patience for the right moment. Things can’t be rushed. The last couple weeks have felt like that, with the nurses convinced he was ready to go and he was ready but the perfect time was still to come.  I sit in the recliner next to his bed, in the dark, late at night, holding his hand, I image the perfect words to wrap up a life. They aren’t coming. I will only mention that in our 40 years of life together, he was the trailblazer and always went on to a new place first, set things up and I came and joined him. We did it in Fergus Falls, Florida, New York, El Paso, Phoenix and Bangkok. Now he is going on first and I will join him in a few years.

7 I will just throw together some thoughts. We met at college and travelled the world. It was a great ride. He would say that while he worked with many great reporters, words get too much play and you should let the photos tell the story so here are his websites. His photographer buddies will know that he did more than just “F8 and be there” he gave his all on every story or assignment. 

Our desire is for everyone to find one of his photo galleries and explore the world. Be challenged and inspired. GO TO ZUMA.press SEARCH Kurtz

Now, we could conclude with the famous AP   -30-  (journalists know this means the end) but it isn’t. His photos will continue to be marketed by ZUMA Press, his photo agency for the last 20+ years. One of Jack’s last acts was making arrangements for his ongoing royalties to be donated to help future international journalists. A firm believer in freedom of the press he will continue to support this with his royalties going to: Reporters without Borders: www.RSF.org 

If you are so inspired, feel free to support the future in his honor: https://donate.rsf.org/us/donate/~my-donation.   Make sure you look for the English translation button in upper right, unless you prefer French!

Sidebar to Jack’s story: Every day, week, month and year, millions of men, women, daughters and sons, sit beside loved ones during their last days, hours and minutes as they transition to the next life. In that respect I am nothing special. I was honored to be by his side in life during adventure for 40+ years and it was privilege to be with him as he had made the transition to the next. Life goes on, just in a different format. Thank you all for your continued love and I will post about a “Celebration of Jack’s life” online and in person in the future.

Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press

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