Donald W. Kurtz ’52, H’05 died on October 20, 2025, in Stamford, Connecticut.

(The following was provided by President Zaki in October 28, 2025:)

From: President Zaki
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 3:48 PM
Subject: Donald R. Kurtz (1930-2025)

To the Bowdoin community,

I am writing with the sad news that trustee emeritus Donald Kurtz, whose deliberative manner and analytical mind served the College in innumerable ways over the course of six decades, died on October 20 at the age of 95.

Donald Richardson Kurtz was born August 13, 1930, in Wayne, Pennsylvania, and spent the first part of his youth in Great Neck, Long Island, New York, before his family moved to Portland, Maine. He attended Deering High School and graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy. A member of the Bowdoin Class of 1952, he majored in economics and was a member of Zeta Psi fraternity. He also ran track and played the violin, a skill he developed as a child and occasionally put to use participating with his two brothers in Portland Symphony concerts.

In 2005, on the 200th anniversary of Bowdoin’s first Commencement, Don received an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree from his alma mater.

Don began his service in the US Navy after graduating from Bowdoin, attending Navy Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island.  He toured the world on the USS Wadleigh, a destroyer built by Bath Iron Works, visiting seaports all around the globe. He had achieved the rank of lieutenant when he left the Navy in 1956, and that December, Don married Barbara Biggs of Scarsdale, New York, describing it as the “biggest day of my life.”

The next year, Don began what would be a lifelong career in the world of finance, joining the securities investment department at Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. In 1959, while working as a securities analyst, he completed the MBA graduate program at Columbia University. He subsequently became executive vice president of Equitable Investment Management Company, a separate division within the corporation.

Don and Barbara had three children, Robin, David, and Mary Pat, and lived in Hartsdale and Scarsdale, New York, before settling in Stamford, Connecticut. He made time for sailing and for several years was a trustee of the school his children attended, the Daycroft School in Greenwich, Connecticut. He retired from Equitable in 1986, but as Don once said, “Why quit? It’s fun!” In 1987, he joined General Motors Investment Management Corporation and worked there as managing director of the Pension Fund until 1995.

For eight years starting in 1992, Don served as an equities specialist on the board of the Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO). He later served as an advisor on the investment committees of the Daycroft School Foundation and the Adventure Unlimited Ranches camp in Colorado.

Throughout Don’s busy career, he maintained a deep connection to Bowdoin and an unrelenting desire to serve the College. He joined the Bowdoin board of overseers in 1984 and became a trustee in 1997. He was chair of Bowdoin’s Investment Committee from 1987 to 1992 and then served as the chair of the Trustee Financial Planning Committee from 1994 to 1996, a time of great growth for Bowdoin’s endowment. He worked on the Campaign for Bowdoin and served on the committee for his fortieth reunion. Don served as chair of the board of trustees from 1999 to 2002 and was elected trustee emeritus when he stepped down from the board in 2004.

One of Don’s most profound contributions to Bowdoin was as chair of the Commission on Residential Life that was established in 1996 to evaluate the organization of residential life and its consequences for academic life, the student experience, and perceptions of the College. Don led the sixteen-member Commission as it sought input from all members of the community. There were forums in New York, Boston, and Portland to help build consensus. Ultimately, the committee recommended phasing out fraternities by 2000, the construction of new residence halls, and expanded dining facilities. The board affirmed the commission’s recommendation with its own unanimous vote. “I knew that the most important thing was that, at the end of the day, whatever plan we came up with, it was imperative that we have a broad acceptance,” Don told The Bowdoin Orient on the tenth anniversary of the decision.

When Don was awarded the Alumni Service Award in 1997, he was lauded for his stellar leadership, wisdom, integrity, determination, and sensitivity during what was a far-reaching examination of residential life as well as for his leadership and guidance during an unparalleled period of growth for the endowment.

Don’s presence and devotion to Bowdoin live on today. In the College House system that he helped to create, the Donald R. Kurtz and Barbara B. Kurtz Residential Life Fund supports campus events to encourage learning and discussion outside the classroom with book clubs, guest speakers, and programs to build connections between students and rural parts of Maine. Don also established the Donald R. Kurtz Scholarship Fund in 2015.

Don is survived by his brother, Theodore H. Kurtz, his children Robin L. Kurtz and David L. Kurtz, son-in-law, Frank Acello, grandson, Paul F. Acello, and numerous nieces and nephews, including grandniece Katie R. Kurtz ’24. Don lost his daughter Mary Pat Kurtz-Acello in 2004, his beloved wife, Barbara, in 2010, and his brother Richard W. Kurtz ’56 in 2023.

I had the opportunity to meet Don last summer at his home in Connecticut and experienced firsthand his unwavering devotion to Bowdoin and the warmth and kindness that earned him the affection and respect of so many. His leadership guided and inspired others to be their best selves, and his spirit and influence will continue to live on at this college he so clearly loved. I know you join me in offering heartfelt condolences to Don’s family and his many friends.

Sincerely,

Safa