Family, Friends Remember Kurt Brown

By Misty Volaski
Upon graduating from Nordhoff High School, joy faded and reality set in: I’m leaving friends who, for four years, had trudged on by my side through the tempest of drama and inside jokes and hormones that is high school.
My parents tried to quell my fears; it was perfectly normal, they said, to drift apart from high school friends. I refused to believe it.
Well, we did go off to college, where we did meet new friends. My “crew” moved to Morro Bay, Simi, Chico, Germany, Hawaii, Reno.
But get us together again, and everything falls into place: this one the comedian, that one the peacemaker.
Kurt Brown was our “Jolly Green Giant,” our “cheer-meister,” our patience and our pride.
Kurt passed away Dec. 22 in a motorcycle accident. He was in town from Cal State-Chico to visit family and friends.
He was a smiler, a genuine sweetheart. Raised by three women — mom Bonnie, and sisters Teresa and Sara — Kurt was sensitive and loving. “Equal parts Prince Charming and Evel Knievel,” said Teresa.
No matter how long it had been, Kurt would greet you by your high-school nickname — so few people call me “Mishie” these days — and wrap you in a triumphant bear hug. “I’ll miss that the most,” said longtime friend Naomi Eshoo.
Kurt was an inspiration — at 24, he was blossoming into an accomplished architect, just like he always said he would.
Journalist Chuck Palahniuk once said, “We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.”
What Kurt created was simple love and kindness, as evidenced by these memories from friends and family:
• Mom Bonnie: As a little guy one of Kurt’s favorite bedtime books was, “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always.” It’s a story about a boy who grows up to be a strong, loving and kind man. I would not trade any second I’ve shared with this incredible man. He changed everyone he met for the better.
• Sister Sara: Kurt is an example of an extraordinary person who “figured it out” early on. He lived so honestly and loved so completely.
• Friend Naomi Eshoo: Kurt taught me that the sun will always come out. His joy in life could only be eclipsed by his radiant, ever-present smile.
• Friend Amanda Franey: Whenever I was feeling down, sad or frustrated, he would always try to make me smile. He always saw the positive in life.
• Friend Tom Baughman: Kurt was a true genuine person that did everything from the goodness of his heart. I’ve never been one to follow any single religion, but I think that we all have a big guardian angel looking over us now named Kurt Brown.
• Friend Evan Folk: I remember Kurt showing me his office in Morro Bay, and his boss couldn’t say enough about how stoked he was to work with Kurt. He was a great friend.
• Friend Chad Mortensen: He was an amazing friend, wonderful roommate (in Chico). I was so proud of him, he pulled a 4.0 this semester. He was an incredible, kind, generous person, always ready to make a Taco Bell run.
• Friend Tiobe Barron: He was so kind and calming. I had more respect for him than damn near anybody.