Kurt Frederic Loesch

1925 – 2013

Pacific Grove ~ Kurt Loesch died March 11, leaving all who knew him saddened. As a Point Lobos docent he was known as the “Father of Whalers Cabin”. He shepherded the Whalers Cabin from its conception as a museum in 1985 to its inclusion in the National and California Registers of Historic Places in 2006, and was its Curator for 23 years. Kurt was most proud of connecting through the museum the people who once lived at Point Lobos not only to the Monterey Peninsula community in general but to their descendents in particular. Kurt was able to honor the Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese and Native Americans through museum exhibits and place name dedications of Ixchenta Point, Escobar Rocks and Kodani Village.

Kurt was widely recognized with awards: 1990-- Resolutions in his honor were introduced in the California Senate and Assembly; 1993—State Park’s Volunteer of the Year and Monterey County Volunteer of the Year; Award of Merit from California Historical Societies; 1996 Monterey County Film Commission for The Reel Story, a compilation of clips from movies made at Point Lobos; 2007—Preservationist of the Year awarded by Alliance of Monterey Area Preservationists; 1990 and 2008—Golden Poppy Award (California State Park’s highest volunteer recognition); and 2009 The De Witt Award for Partnership.

Kurt met weekly with a group of noted local historians and, although he considered himself to be an amateur historian, he was honored to be accepted as an equal.

After graduating from Peddie School in New Jersey, Kurt was inducted into the Army’s elite 10th Mountain Division, the only division in the U.S. Army to specialize in fighting in the cold mountains in Italy. Recruits into this division were selected solely on their ability to ski. After his discharge, Kurt earned a B.A. in English from Colgate University. In 1999, Kurt was the subject of an article in the Colgate Scene, a publication from his alma mater.

Surviving Kurt are Betty, his wife of 49 years, his daughter Susan Loesch, son Steven Loesch, and grandson Joshua Kurt Hale.

The Point Lobos Foundation and the Docent Association are working together to create a fitting tribute to honor Kurt for his long and inspired service at Point Lobos. Donations in Kurt’s name can be made to the Point Lobos Foundation online at www.pointlobos.org or via post at PO Box 221789 Carmel, CA 93922.