Conrad C. Gurr

Conrad Charles Gurr, beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and widower of Anne Gurr, breathed his last on December 17, 2024. It was probably a curse word, as Chuck was not pleased with the aging process.

Born on July 2, 1935, Chuck was the eldest of four children in a house that moved to get out of the way of Idlewild Airport. He loved animals, and his adult home was never without a bark, usually from dogs his children offloaded on him, or an occasional meow from several cats that he only begrudgingly loved. They only begrudgingly loved him back, as cats do. He proudly served in the US Navy from 1952 to 1956 and followed this service by joining the naval reserves from 1968 to 1988, mostly from patriotism, but maybe a little bit to get out of the house. His wife Anne was happy with this arrangement.

In the Navy, which was undoubtedly the best time of his life given how often he recounted the stories, Chuck traveled the world as a member of the SeaBees, learned engineering, got a couple of tattoos, and lost his teeth in a boxing match. Following his honorable discharge (which we all question, given the stories about the ice cream theft and the illicit rowing across the Potomac), Chuck immediately took dancing lessons, which he used to good effect with his wife and daughter. He worked a variety of engineering jobs throughout his long career, often bringing his children along. He loved professional (and homestyle) wrestling, and instilled a lifelong passion for the Flying Elbow Drop and Jimmy “Superfly” Snooka in his children. After retiring and until he was in his eighties, Chuck volunteered to drive elderly patients to their medical appointments and would frequently and unironically regale his family with stories of how they didn’t understand technology. He enjoyed talking baseball with his son John; his wife’s cooking (which his daughter will never live up to); movies (2001’s Rat Race was finally banned from his home because he laughed so hard Anne thought he might choke to death), music, and billiards, as do most people.

With his beloved wife, Chuck built a loving family that he took care of until the day he died (and beyond, being a great believer in life insurance. Thanks, Dad). He is predeceased by his wife of sixty-two years, whom he missed daily and terribly, and his son Stephen, of whom he was very proud. He is survived by his sisters Carol and Jacquelyn, his brother George, and George’s partner Joel. Together, the four siblings have been spotted line dancing to “New York, New York”, but only if it was sung by Sinatra. We have pictures. He is also survived by his children, daughter Barbara (aka “Barjra”. We have no idea why) and son John (who to this day will discuss any wrestler you can name in great detail); his son-in-law Steve and daughter-in-law Lisa (both of whom he might have loved more than his biological children, which we hold against him a little bit), and his grandchildren Melody (who brought great joy to him in his final years and whose hair, according to Chuck, is delightfully tawdry), Hailey (for whom his love was quiet but fierce, and with whom he was “pretty impressed”), and Charlie (“Charl”), whom Chuck adored before he was even born, and who will now be forced to drink a “Heinie” in Chuck’s honor.

We are tremendously proud of Chuck and all that he was, did, and gave. His loss leaves a hole that will never be filled, in the line dance and in our lives.

We'll meet, I know we'll meet, beyond the shore
We'll kiss just as before
Happy we'll be beyond the sea
And never again I'll go sailing

Funeral services are private. Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.