Kurt Spohn Obituary

KURT WALTER SPOHN Kurt Walter Spohn of Honolulu passed away on December 13, 2023, after decades-long battles with cancer, which he faced with bravery and determination. He was born in Chicopee Falls, MA, on June 23, 1953. Kurt's love of surfing prompted his move to Hawaii more than three decades ago. But he soon found his time on the waves limited by the demands of his job from government service following a long and distinguished career with the Department of Attorney General, State of Hawai'i and the Maui and Hawai'i County Prosecutors' offices. Kurt's dedication to justice has helped to create a safer community for the residents and visitors of our islands. His unceasing efforts to implement an active on-line sex offender registration and sex offender registration laws provide essential protection to all of Hawai'i's citizens, especially our keiki. In 2005, Kurt was named the Department of the Attorney General's Employee of the Year. On August 30, 2006, Governor Lingle and Lieutenant Governor Aiona proclaimed August 30, 2006, as "Kurt Spohn Day". Small in stature but big of mind, Kurt possessed an impressive breadth of knowledge on a wide range of subjects. He had a nuanced view of the law, politics, and other major topics that made it difficult to predict where he might stand on a given subject. But the operative principles were always fairness and evenhandedness. He put great faith in reasoned discussion as a way of arriving at the truth. There were few things he enjoyed more than a spirited but friendly debate with family and friends. Kurt composed poetry and wrote short stories. He loved Hawaii and was passionate about its flora and fauna, its mountains, its people, its sea, and its night sky. An avid amateur astronomer, he set up a high-powered telescope on his apartment balcony for night time viewing of the heavens. Kurt earned a B.A. in history in 1977 from Yale University, where he was a member of Berkeley College, and a degree of Juris Doctor degree in 1986 from Northwestern School of Law, Lewis and Clark College. Swimming played a big role in Kurt's life from age seven through college. He swam competitively in Florida at Satellite High School in Satellite Beach and with the South Brevard Y Swim Club under legendary coach Walt Deichert. Later, he was a member of the varsity swimming team at Yale. He set a national age group record as a teenager in the 220-yard butterfly and a Yale freshman record in the 200-yard butterfly. Prior to competing in the 1972 Olympic trials, he spent a year training with the Santa Clara Swim Club in California. Kurt is survived by wife June, the love of his life, sister Isabelle, brothers Gustav and Albert, nieces and nephews. Service will be held at the Honolulu First Church of the Nazarene, Thursday, December 28, 2023, 1:00 pm. Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC