Alan Wurtz passed away at the age of 69 from MDS on July 19 at 1:04 p.m. at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, surrounded by his family and friends.
He was born in a log cabin to Wesley William Wurtz and Ruth Merriman Wurtz on January 14, 1947 in Mound City, KS. He was a Kansas boy who loved to fish, hunt and get into mischief while working on his family farm. He was regularly tormented by his older brothers, Richard and Donny.
Alan graduated from Mound City High in Mound City, Kansas. He completed his Bachelors and Master's degree at Pittsburgh State University. Later he completed his Juris Doctorate at the University of Tulsa.
He married Marcia E. Wurtz and had 3 daughters, Jennifer, Cassandra and Allison. He was a devoted father. He taught his daughters girls don't cry, life's not fair, inside my house it is a benevolent dictatorship, and no matter what the hardship, this too shall pass.
He began his career as a junior high teacher and coach. After six years as a teacher he started WURTZ BROTHERS Abstract and Real Estate Company with his brother, Richard Wurtz.
Life events called for a change and through the recommendation of a friend he entered the right-of-way business with COATES FIELD SERVICE as an agent. He continued his work as a manager with Williams Natural Gas and Williams Energy Services.
He had a passion for the right of way profession. He joined the International Right of Way Association early in his new career. He served the organization from the chapter level through the International Executive Committee, serving as president of the association from 2001-2002.
The annual IRWA conventions were used as the annual family vacation for years. An avid history buff, he often added side visits to historical sites and museums much to the chagrin of his daughters.
He passed on his passion for the right of way profession to the families of his three daughters. A member of each of these families has been or is currently active in the right of way profession.
He married Gail Foster on June 2, 2007. They enjoyed traveling, concerts, movies, and spending time with friends.
In his last professional role as President of Percheron Acquisitions, his nearly 40 years of successful right of way experience was instrumental in forming the company.
His legacy will be his faith, his family, and his service to others and the profession he loved.
Graveside service will be 10:30 A.M., Monday, July 25, 2015 at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5111 S. Memorial Drive, Tulsa, OK. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233