Dennis “Den” C. Schurr
1950-2020
On Jan. 19, 2020, Dennis Craig Schurr, 69, recently of Almond, N.C., slipped away peacefully at home following years struggling with illnesses due to agent orange exposure during his service as an airborne ranger in the Army in Vietnam. A celebration of life will be held in Ohio at a later date. Funeral and interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Den was known and loved as someone who never knew a stranger and did nothing in a small way. He was kind, jovial, generous and service-oriented. He enjoyed playing with various personas and costumes, from Victorian Father Christmas to Civil War Sutler. Den leaves behind his beloved wife, Karen Lisbeth “KaeLi” (Lier) Schurr, close friends in high school, they reconnected in 1998 and were married in 2010; and two canine companions, Comet and Bella, who were a constant presence and source of comfort, especially in his final years.
Den was born on June 24, 1950 to John Franklin and Eileen (Bodenmiller) Schurr and raised in Sidney, Ohio. He belonged to the First Baptist Church. He graduated from Sidney High School in 1968 and joined the U.S. Army in October 1968, rising to the rank of Staff Sargant E-6 following Ranger School. Beginning in November 1969, Mr. Schurr served two tours in Vietnam, was an 82nd Airborne Division Ranger, Long Range Patrol team leader and advisor to the South Vietnamese Army. In the first tour, he served as a Ranger instructor for K Co. 75th Infantry Rangers. In the second tour, he was a light and heavy weapons specialist for the 52nd Vietnamese Ranger Battalion. He was a two-time recipient of the Bronze Star.
Following his military service, Mr. Schurr worked in sales management in the building trade industry in Pittsburgh, Penn. from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. He then worked as a national architectural representative for Hurd Windows and Doors, retiring in 2010. While living in Pittsburgh, he was involved in fund raising drives for WQED-TV (PBS)/WQED-FM (NPR). He also bicycled cross country with “Wandering Wheels,” completing two of three coast-to-coast across America rides. He moved to North Carolina in 1999 and lived at the Outer Banks from 2000 to 2016. He spent the last three years living in Almond, N.C. in the mountains of far western North Carolina.
An interest in antiques led to a passion for Civil War history. He became a recognized expert to researchers, authors, museums and collectors. One of his major accomplishments was serving as an expert witness to facilitate the return to Brown University (Rhode Island) of a stolen Civil War sword of Col. Rush Hawkins that he had discovered.
Mr. Schurr was also instrumental in planning and presenting “Flags Over Hatteras,” a week of events in 2011-12 recognizing important North Carolina Civil War history under auspices of the Friends of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum on Hatteras Island during the nation’s Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. A descendants’ reunion, conference with nationally-known historians, and exhibition that he co-curated were largely funded by an auction that he envisioned and orchestrated.
Den is survived by his daughters, Elaine Cantrell (Keith) of Sidney, Ohio, Stephanie Pohlman (Mark) of Osgood, Ohio and Jennifer Atkinson (Luke) of Wallington, London, England; grandchildren, Keegan (Alyssa) Cantrell, Kaleb (Ashtin Barnes) Cantrell, Cassie Pohlman, Cody Pohlman, Colton Pohlman, Ashlynn Hensley, Micalah Hensley, Dylan Hensley; great-grandchildren, Amirrah Bolden, Atheyia Bolden and Liam Cantrell; his brothers, J. Douglas Schurr (Cindy) of Crossville, Tenn. and Mark S. Schurr of Sidney, Ohio; a sister, Cheryl (Michael) Schurr Byars of London, Ohio; brother-in-law, Michael Stuart Lier of Tipp City, Ohio; nieces, Nancy (Andrea) Schurr of Chattanooga, Tenn. and Emily (Emily) Schurr Stapf of Knoxville, Tenn.
Den was preceded in death by a grandchild, Christen Hensley; a great-grandchild, Winston Cantrell; and a brother-in-law, Gerhard E. “Casey” Lier.
Memorial donations can be made to the Stecoah Valley Center, 121 School House Rd., Robbinsville, NC 28771, designated in his memory for the Veterans Memorial project or to the Stecoah Township Rescue Squad and Fire Dept., 30 Loyd and Lydia Dr., Robbinsville, NC 28771.
Townson-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Schurr family. An online register is available at www.townson-smithfuneralhome.com.
Paid Obituary 84569
