Norfolk —Larry (nee Lawrence) Bennett Kurzer passed away in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on March 10, 2017.
The 63-year-old Norfolk native was the devoted son of Lillian Traub Kozak, the late Phillip Kurzer and step-son of the late Norman Kozak.
Larry attended the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater, the Talmudical Academy of Baltimore and Wilson High School before graduating summa cum laude with a political science degree from Old Dominion University and a master’s in public administration from George Washington University.
After a brief teaching career in Portsmouth Public Schools, Larry embarked on a varied civil service career that took him from coast to coast and eventually to Southeast Asia. He was a well-respected Navy contract specialist who worked in Norfolk, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Colorado, San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Larry then moved into the rewarding family services branch, where he helped transitioning personnel adjust to life abroad and find post-military employment.
Following his civil service retirement, Larry moved overseas where he taught English to adult South Koreans in academies and companies. While there, this “wandering Jew” backpacked extensively in Cambodia, India, Japan, Thailand; to South American countries Panama, Bolivia, Uruguay and Peru; and to various parts of Africa.
Larry, a guitar player, was a huge lover of all music, from rock to jazz to the blues. While living in Philadelphia, he worked security on concerts ranging from ex-Beatle Ringo Starr to guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughn. In his younger days, he also loved to tinker with his MGB, TR6 and motorcycle.
Though far away, family was never far from his thoughts—with a helpful idea, a generous check or bouquet of flowers on Mother’s Day. Larry was indeed a good son, brother and uncle.
Survivors include his mother Lillian Kozak; brothers Alan Kurzer, Ben Kozak, Mark (Brenda) Kozak, George (Angela) Kozak; niece Rachel (Daniel) Rabin and nephew Sam Kozak.
A graveside service was held at Mikro Kodesh Cemetery in the Berkley section of Chesapeake. Rabbi Jeffrey Arnowitz of Congregation Beth El Norfolk officiated. Altmeyer Funeral Home. Donations are suggested to HAT or Beth Sholom Home.