| Notes |
- The Honorable Robert Kenneth Duerr, 88, of North Tonawanda, died peacefully on September 2nd, 2015, surrounded by his family at their home. He died from complications associated with Alzheimer's. Judge Duerr was born on December 24, 1926 and lived his entire life in North Tonawanda, NY. He was the son of the late Arthur and Lonia (nee Hoffmeister) Duerr of North Tonawanda. Judge Duerr is survived by his wife of 62 years, Caroline Czamanske Duerr and seven children, the Reverend Robert K. Jr. of North Tonawanda, Timothy of Birmingham, MI, Mary (Mark) Stettner of Milton, GA, Ruth (Randy) Ortiz of Rochester Hills, MI, Rebekah (Daniel) Stayner of Youngstown, NY, David (Marjorie) of Burr Ridge, IL and Sarah (Daniel) Anderson of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; a brother Richard (Jean) Duerr also of North Tonawanda. His brother and sister-in-law Donald and Marianne Duerr preceded him in death. Judge Duerr attended St. Mark Lutheran School, graduated from North Tonawanda High School (1944), attended Canisius College and graduated from Valparaiso University with a BA (1951) and a Juris Doctor degree (1953). He was a member of the Law School's Golden Gavel Society and had an award named after him at the Law School. The “Duerr Award”, was created to honor graduates whose exemplary personal and professional lifestyles enhances the Law School's reputation in their own communities. The symbol of the award is a black blazer hand stitched with the School of Law crest. He was a member of the Sigma Delta Kappa Law fraternity. Judge Duerr was captain of his NT football team his senior year and played football at Canisius and Valparaiso. He served as a special agent, Counter Intelligence Corps, United States Army from 1953-55. He practiced law in North Tonawanda since 1955. He was an assistant District Attorney of Niagara County from 1958-1967. He was elected North Tonawanda City Court Judge and served from 1980-1995. Presently a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in North Tonawanda, where he served as president and elder, Judge Duerr also served as president and treasurer of Redeemer Lutheran Church in North Tonawanda. He was a member of the Rotary Club, America Legion, Sikora Post, Gratwick Hose, Dom Polski's, The Boys Club of the Tonawandas, DeGraff Memorial Hospital and the Bar Association of the Tonawandas' and Niagara County. He was a past president of both the Bar Associations and the Town Club of the Tonawandas. Besides his great love for his family, a few of the Judge's true passions were taking immaculate care of the yard at his home on Christiana Street, his famous backyard cookouts, attending Valparaiso Homecomings, and following the Valparaiso University Crusaders. He was an avid Buffalo Bills fan, season ticket holder and traveled to all their Super Bowl games and many away games over the years. Friends may call at Fretthold Funeral Home Inc., 1241 Oliver St. at Ward Rd in North Tonawanda, on Saturday from 2-8 PM. Funeral services will be held on Sunday at 2 P.M. at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1135 Oliver St. North Tonawanda. The Rev. Robert Duerr, Jr., the Rev. Keith Knupp and the Rev. Andrew Abraham will officiate. Burial will take place at St. Mark Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Robert K. and Caroline Duerr Scholarship Fund at the Valparaiso University School of Law, Valparaiso, IN 46383, or St. Mark Lutheran Church. Guest register available at frettholdfuneralhome.com
|
1926 - 2015 (88 years)