Kurt Alfred Gehring, beautifully went to Jesus,  March 1, 2022, at his home in Creswell, Oregon.  He was surrounded by close friends and his sister-in-law, Connie.

Kurt retired from his job as a drug and alcohol counselor at Emergence on the last day of November 2019.  He and his wife, Elena, traveled to Zihuatanejo, Mexico for a two week celebration trip to start their next season of fun and travel. 

Upon arriving home from Mexico, Kurt had four doctor appointments for  checkups and overall maintenance of his health.  The day before Christmas Eve, Kurt fell ill to the flu virus.  Elena caught the flu Christmas Day.  Both were ill for two weeks with the usual symptoms.  Kurt didn't fare as well.  He never quite recovered and the cough lingered for three months.  Along with other symptoms not normally related to other flus, Kurt ended up in the hospital on March 17, 2020 with A-Fib, requiring five days in the heart and vascular wing at Peace Health.  He had pre-existing conditions that were being monitored:   Stage three Kidney disease, Pulmonary artery disease and COPD.  The  Congestive Heart failure was the latest ailment.  He ended up in the HAVC again three weeks later for a reaction to a blood thinner for four days.  We all know what was happening with Covid.   And,  Kurt had a compromised immune system.  But, his attitude remained of enjoying life to the fullest!

Elena,  his wife,  helped get Kurt up and going to enjoy what they could with his conditions.  Flying was no longer an option.  Air miles were exchanged for hotel stays in Yachats for their Anniversary.  They went to Cascade Locks for a trip on the Riverboat sternwheeler; enjoyed  Gold Beach for the views and Ocean air and Grants Pass welcomed a trip on the Jet boat up the Rogue River. They also bought a little motorhome Elena could drive to catch a few more camping trips to Elkton and Belknap Hot Springs.  He hated that little bathroom in the motorhome!!  But he went along knowing how much Elena loved to camp.  It was a gesture of Love to go as he was very comfortable at home in his chair.   He started to play a Fishing game and a cartoon-like strategy game with Knights and such called Hero Wars.   He liked it because he was able to chat with players from France and other countries.   He also loved to read.   Evening was spent watching his favorite shows,  most definitely Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

Kurt was born in Portland, Oregon, on January 16, 1942,  at Multnomah County Hospital.  His parents,  Helen and Ralph Gehring,  were a military family.  They found permanent residence in San Rafael,  California.  Once his father retired from his military service,  he worked with Helen's father,  who owned a Delicatessen and Bar in town.  Kurt's grandparents lived a block away and he loved being at their home.   Kurt attended Military school as a young boy for two years.  Then, he  went on to San Rafael schools.  In high school,  Kurt's favorite story is when he played high school Varsity basketball.  The Catholic school needed players,  so they recruited Kurt plus a few of his buddies.  The priest baptized him and they went on to play in the state tournament!  Someone ratted them out and they had to leave the court in the middle of a game.  That's what you get for lying!!

Kurt loved to travel.  He spent 10 years in his mid 20s-30s exploring Italy,  England, Yugoslavia, Australia,  Crete,  Germany,  Russia and more of Europe.   His stories of travel were amazing and unbelievable,  but hey,  it's Kurt!!  Like,  leaping  off a cruise ship... thinking he saw land...luckily someone saw him or he would have been shark food!!   He was working as a wine steward on the ship.   Also, standing on his buddies shoulders to cut down a flag secured to a pole from a country we won't mention....  running from the police, and not getting caught!   Also, getting beat up for stealing a  beer stein from a Hoffbrau in Germany,  and the guy who chased him, who beat him up got put in jail for aggravated assault....  bathing in irrigation pipes....  having a short marriage to an Australian girl and living in caves on Crete!   Oh, and there IS more!   He always found employment  when he traveled to keep his tummy full.   And, boy did Kurt love to eat!!!

Two jobs stand out during his travels.  He drove a cement truck as well as washing dishes at a military base in London for the upper brass.   He would take the throw away food/steak concealing them under his clothes.   He made friends easily and always had travel buddies along the way.  

In His mid 40's Kurt's love for the ocean took him on adventurous scuba diving in Costa Rica, Galapagos Island and Channel Islands with a Dive Group in Livermore,  California.  His wife, Elena,  shared the love of diving, too.  They enjoyed trips to the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Monterey, Kauai, Hawaii, Mexico,  Alaska and Italy.  They used their four timeshares quite frequently.   Sharing the vacations with family and friends were so important to them to create memories.   They have tons of video and pictures to prove it, antics and all.  

Kurt met his wife, Elena,  during his mid-life at 54.  She was 33 and the attraction evolved from a  group camping/Abalone diving trip in Gualala, California.  They dated for four and 1/2 years.   They married on April 24th, 1999.  The two would have celebrated 23 married years this April... altogether for a fun-filled life of 27 1/2 years. They moved in 2000 to Oregon from California.  Kurt wanted to take Elena back to Oregon so she could  be near her family.  They had a home built in Creswell.

Kurt held many jobs during his life.  He was very proud to be a Union man and served as a representative many times.  He began as a liquor salesman for McKesson;  also, distributed Coca-Cola,  Budweiser and  Sysco food products.   Finally, moving to Oregon,  Kurt worked as a Drug and Alcohol counselor at Serenity Lane and Emergence.  He was very humble about the people he helped.  His wife,  Elena,  remembers all the times witnessing folks in public giving a "shout out" to Kurt or big "running" hugs.  She would ask, "One of your people?"  And he would just smile.  Elena continues to receive texts from Kurt's "work wife" Heather, letting her know that people are still stopping by his  office to see if he's working for a visit. He left an impact on many people with his black and white counseling. There was no grey area with Kurt!

Kurt knew "Bill W" spanning  41 1/2 years.  Kurt stayed in touch with "Bill" throughout his travels.  He has many friends in California and Oregon.   The Zoom meetings were a blessing the last two years of his life to keep connected with folks all over the country.

Kurt found his relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  His wife, Elena, started going to Creswell Church of Christ with encouragement from her friends.  She would come home and talk about how amazing  Pastor Doug's messages were..  He decided he needed to check this Doug guy out. Kurt Instantly felt a connection with the church at his first visit....They always sat in the front with their best friends who took up the whole 20 feet of the pews.  The words, the singing and praise team, as well as Doug's messages resonated in their minds and hearts.  The people who attend are neighbors and many close friends.  Kurt was baptized in the Willamette river in August 25th, 2019.  It was a beautiful day.  Kurt and Elena were able to watch the Church's live feed every Sunday for the last two years because of Kurt's health.  Doug visited often and prayed 🙏with Kurt the day before he passed.

There were no siblings or biological children in Kurt's life.   He did help his former wife raise a son, Patrick, and helped him through Auto mechanic trade school.   Patrick currently lives in California with his wife.  But lo and behold Elena would bring her fun loving family into his world.  Kurt was blessed to have met Elena's dad, Mitch Siroshton, they had a mutual respect for one another as both were teamsters and both loved Elena. Mitch passed away in 9-08-95.  Elena's mom,  Ann,  lived with them for a short period before moving into an assisted-living apartment.  Kurt and Elena's mom, Ann, had a very special bond.  Ann told Elena before she died, " I never have to worry about you, because you have Kurt."  Ann passed on 10-03-07.  Elenas family includes a brother Dan  (Ruthie),  children Jim, ( Kristi),  their children Rylan and Abbey.  Another brother Dave ( Karen), children  Benjamen (Jayne), child Charlotte,  son Zack (Jamie), their little girl Olivia.  Daughter Krista, children Ahna and Oliver.  A Sister Connie (Michael) children Joey, his significant other Heather and his son Kyszek.  Karen Lynn (Brian), children Kendall, Lexi(Steve) and Laney Kate.  Alissa (Troy),  children Lyla and Cole.   And Brian, who is a super cool bass player in a band that they got to see perform at Mt.Tabor theatre in Portland, Ore!   So many family memories of attending the niece's and nephew's sporting events,  cheering loudly, the kids would sometimes get embarrassed!   We hope they are loving it now.🥰  Memories of fishing with the brothers at the Oregon coast along with Dennis Taylor who took him also on his boat;  catching  salmon, tuna, crab and halibut. Kurt didn't have the greatest eyesight with tying Knots around the hooks, the boys always helped him.  Also, attending the many Oregon Duck games or watching at-home sports.... eating Hot Wings.   Plus,  shopping with the sister-in-laws was one of his favorites at Christmas time.  He thoroughly enjoyed family in his❤ heart.

A celebration of life 🥳will be held Sunday,  July 31st, 2022  at Jasper Park in Pleasant Hill, Oregon:  starting at NOON.   Come and enjoy an afternoon remembering Kurt's adventurous and full life with family and friends.  We know you all have stories about Kurt to share!!   Together we will share food and fun times of remembrance. The love of warm weather,  beach vacations🏝 and wearing Tie Dye come to mind??  Wear your favorite attire in honor of Kurt!*** Please PM me if you are attending and how many in your party.***

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/kurt-gehring/obituary/

Copy