Donald (Don) Lee Kortz, 81, a pillar in Denver philanthropy, real estate and health care, supporter of numerous Jewish and civic causes and a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, passed away July 25, 2021, in Denver.
Don Kortz
Mr. Kortz, who battled a brain lymphoma during lockdown and was fully vaccinated, contracted COVID-19 earlier this summer. He died on the day of his 34th wedding anniversary to his wife Mary Lou Kortz.
Mr. Kortz spent most of his career at Fuller & Company (now Cassidy Turley Colorado), and served as a mentor to young attorneys and real estate professionals.
Chair of The Children’s Hospital, he was on the boards of National Jewish Health, Colorado Children’s Health Foundation and the Crohns and Colitis Foundation.
Mr. Kortz, who was instrumental in negotiating the sale of Rose Medical Center to Columbia/HCA, served as the first president and CEO of the Rose Community Foundation, created from proceeds of the sale.
Dick Robinson, a lifelong friend and associate, said he knew Don Kortz “since he was born. I’m 10 years older, but I ran with Don for a lot of years.
“He was outstanding but humble,” he said. “He never took any credit for all those accomplishments.
“When he accepted a job, he took it all the way through. You could be sure it was going to be done . . . He was very quiet at meetings because he’d already taken care of things.”
Robinson said that Mr. Kortz’ family “was number one; ahead of everything else. He also had great friends. I’ve talked to most of them in the last few days, and they are as sad as everyone I know, except me.
“Don and I talked every day. Will I miss him? I already miss him.”
Mr. Kortz’ nephew Gary Kortz said his uncle taught him to give tzedakah, support Jewish healthcare institutions and make sure all Denverites had access to good health care.
“Don absolutely influenced me,” Gary said, “particularly my involvement in AMC Cancer Research Center’s transition” to CU Anschutz’ cancer center. “He helped me when I needed help, guided me, and inspired me to push forward.”
The fact that Mr. Kortz, who fought tirelessly for the health of others, died of COVID is “unconscionable,” his nephew said. “You can’t get your mind around it; that the virus got him.”
The cancer treatments Mr. Kortz underwent for the lymphoma saved his life but left him immunocompromised.
“Don was as vibrant and capable at 81 as some are at 61. He had way, way more to give,” Gary said.
Mr. Kortz inherited his kindness from his parents, especially his mother. “She believed in caring about people, and passed this down to both her sons.
“Everyone can figure out ways to help people, whether it’s volunteering or doing whatever you can,” he said. “That’s Don’s legacy.”
Rabbis Joe Black and Steve Foster were scheduled to officiate at the July 29 service at Temple Sinai, with burial at Emanuel Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Don Kortz, a third-generation Colorado native, was born July 9, 1940, in Denver to Benjamin and Juliette Kortz, owners of a longtime jewelry store downtown — but their son chose another path.
Mr. Kortz received a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and a law degree from DU.
He was a captain in the United States Army, stationed in Germany.
Soon after his discharge, he joined a small law firm whose clients included the real estate firm Fuller and Company. Fuller soon asked him to become house counsel.
Over the next 40 years, Mr. Kortz rose to CEO and chairman of Fuller, and, following a merger, chaired the board of Cassidy Turley Colorado, the fourth largest real estate firm in the US.
“Don was always the quiet, thoughtful voice and motivator moving Colorado forward,” the family said of his community efforts in health-related projects. “This is what he did every day.”
The new Children’s Hospital Colorado opened during Mr. Kortz’ term as chairman of the board.
Colorado Gov. Bill Owens appointed him to the task force on child welfare, and Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter named him to the blue ribbon commission for health care.
Mr. Kortz, a thoughtful business, community and civic leader, was board chair of Colorado Concern and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce; trustee of the Denver Zoological Foundation; and board member of the Mizel Museum of Judaica, Judith Ann Griese Foundation, the Staenberg-Loup JCC, DU’s Institute for Interfaith Studies and the ADL.
He also belonged to the Denver board of Water Commissioners, where he addressed the needs of water for Denver’s growing community.
Mr. Kortz was a director of Omni Bank, Key Bank of Colorado, Merchant’s Mortgage of Colorado and a founder of Steele Street Bank & Trust, now MidFirst Bank.
“Don was eternally cheerful and optimistic and always had time for family and friends,” his loved ones said. “He loved to travel and was always eager to learn something new.”
History was his passion. He and like-minded friends could spend hours (with a scotch, of course) discussing the finer points of history and historical books.
Mr. Kortz and Mary Lou have one daughter, Zoey. “I knew he was a businessman,” Zoey once said, “but it seemed to me that his number one job was being my Dad.”
The family is grateful for the compassionate and excellent care provided by the doctors and nurses at CU Anschutz.
Don Kortz is survived by his wife Mary Lou Kortz; daughter Zoey (and fiancé Joel); brother Robert Kortz; nephews Gary (Kathy) Kortz and Gregg (Kim Kortz; and sister-in-law Susan (Rick) James.
Copyright © 2021 by the Intermountain Jewish News
