The world is poorer for the loss of David L. Kurtz. I join his family, friends and admirers in grief at his passing. Mr. Kurtz was the father-in-law of a school chum of mine who is, herself, a beautiful soul. I was informed and educated more than a little bit by this obituary that appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer. In recent years, I've developed a keener feel for the fact that writing obituaries well is a beautiful art. It mitigates our sorrow and chronicles our times.