Obituary of Kurt L. Hertel

Kurt Hertel passed away at home on April 12, 2026, with his loving wife by his side after a courageous battle with cancer.  Kurt was predeceased by his brother, Mark W. Hertel (Sherry). He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Linda (Tumia) Hertel; his sister, Amy (Dennis) Stabler, several sister and brothers in law,  and numerous nieces and nephews who will forever cherish his guidance and generosity.

He was a master technician whose brilliance under a hood was matched only by his generous spirit and love for history.

Born in Rochester, Kurt spent his early years in Fairport before being raised in Gasport. He came to the Rochester area as a young adult, graduating from SUNY Buffalo State University with two bachelor’s degrees. His degree in history fueled a lifelong passion for the Civil War; he spent many cherished days traveling to historic battlefields with his close friend, David.

Kurt’s professional reputation was legendary. As the owner of Village Imports in Henrietta, he was widely regarded as the finest import  automotive technician in the East. While his skills were vast, his heart belonged to Porsche and Audi. Owners of these precision machines sought him out specifically for his unparalleled expertise. Throughout his career, he also shared his talents with Austin Spencer and Craig Autometrics, while operating his own side business, Densmore Motors.

Beyond the shop, Kurt was a gifted storyteller who could explain the most complex processes with captivating detail. He lived a life of action, whether attending drag races across the country, scuba diving in tropical waters during his many travels with Linda, or cheering for the Rochester Amerks. It was at an Amerks game that he met Linda, and they remained dedicated season ticket holders throughout their 33 years of marriage.

He loved his position at RGH where he volunteered for 15 years at the way-finding podium as a walking and wheelchair escort bringing patients to their destination and answering questions with enthusiasm. In his words he "liked pushing people around and telling them where to go"

Kurt’s home was a revolving door of family; he helped mentor many nieces and nephews, always offering his time and skills to those he loved. He was also a devoted "cat dad," holding a particularly deep bond with his cat, Meadow, who keenly feels his absence.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 PM on April 30 at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 1355 Hatch Rd, Webster, NY 14580.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Kurt’s memory to:

Animal Service League, 10 Dubelbeiss Lane, Rochester, NY 14622.