Please let us know if you are coming to the funeral or would like to receive information about the live stream to watch remotely from home, contact: pete.strauss@ntlworld.com . 
There is no formal reception after the funeral but we plan to meet somewhere nearby (cafe or pub) for an informal gathering, for anyone who wishes to chat afterwards.  Details on the day.
Kurt requested donations to Refugee Action York (see link above) and/or Northern Friends Peace Board.

Information about the Memorial Meeting to be held in May is at the end of the obituary below.

Kurt Strauss was born near Stuttgart in 1930 to a Jewish family. In 1937, his father - Viktor - made the decision to send Kurt’s older brother, Helmut, to safety in England. Viktor wanted to find a good school for his son and selected one which he believed must be very good indeed, because it was an “Approved School”. This misunderstanding was to save the family from the Holocaust. The chair of governors was a Quaker who realised immediately that Helmut was definitely not a delinquent in need of rehabilitation and arranged for his transfer to Sidcot - the Quaker boarding school in Somerset.  
The Head Teacher of Sidcot took a close interest in the fortunes of the Strauss family, and referred them to the Quakers’ Germany Emergency Committee who were trying to help Jews to escape from the Nazis. Quakers went on to organise places for Kurt and his mother – Marianne – on one of the last Kindertransport out of Prague and the whole family were finally reunited in London in the spring of 1939. Quakers found a place for Kurt at Sidcot school and paid most of his fees. It was at Sidcot that he met the love of his life, Ann (nee Clark).  Kurt often said that he owed his life, his education and his wife to the Quakers. 
Kurt left school at 18 and joined EMI where he served an apprenticeship including part-time study for a degree in Radio Engineering. His work and studies were interrupted by two years of National Service with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. 
Kurt moved with Ann and their small children to Brussels to take up a job with Eurovision. The family returned some years later to London where Kurt began work at the Electricity Council’s Overseas Relations Branch.  He rose steadily to become Associate Director before retiring, prior to privatisation, in 1989.   
Kurt served on countless Quaker committees working for Peace, inter-faith understanding and international aid. He was hugely respected by Quakers across Europe for his quiet and dedicated service, his wise navigation through knotty discussions, and his good humour. He brought all these qualities to bear in his relationships with family, friends and colleagues and in a wide range of voluntary roles, particularly with groups who supported Asylum Seekers and Refugees. 
Kurt was a passionate European and spoke both French and German fluently. He loved travel and was a keen and talented photographer – documenting his many trips with Ann and the family in meticulous albums.  His love of classical music brought him great joy. He was a hands-on engineer in the home and at Quaker Meeting - designing all manner of ingenious contraptions and devices.  
Kurt and Ann moved to Hartrigg Oaks, York in 2006 where Ann died in 2013. Kurt is survived by his three children – Peter, Diana and Alison - his six grandchildren (Josh, Holly, Jake, Dan, Lily and Adam) and his four great grandchildren (Minna, Ida, Ruben and Frankie).

Kurt Strauss Memorial meeting
Saturday 23rd May 13.00 (for 13:30 start) -15.00, New Earswick Folk Hall (YO32 4AQ).
RSVP: To give us an idea of numbers, and if you can join us for refreshments afterwards at Hartrigg Oaks restaurant from 15.30 (YO32 4DS). Contact: dianastrauss0@gmail.com