Dave Kurth
Degree: Fourth
Member since: 1983
Hometown: Marengo, Iowa
Dave Kurth was born and raised a Catholic in Marengo, Iowa, and later found his place with the Knights of Columbus in West Des Moines where he helped to lay the groundwork for the new council in 1999.
After graduating high school, Dave continued his education at Central College in Pella focusing on a major in Economics with Business Tendencies (Business Administration). Once Dave finished his degree in Pella, he landed a job with Deluxe Check Printers in Des Moines and found himself moving to the city in 1974. In 1996 Dave left his management job at Deluxe after their closing and worked 11-and-a-half years for Electronic Data Systems (EDS).
Dave retired from the corporate world and started driving a school bus for West Des Moines Schools in 2008. He retired from bus driving in 2008, but the school district asked if he would consider driving again in August of 2020.
Family
Dave and his wife, Judy, were married in 1977 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines. Sacred Heart housed a chapter of the Knights of Columbus and Dave felt his call to join in 1983.
Together Dave and Judy have four children: three boys and one daughter. The Kurths have been blessed with 12 grandchildren so far with the 13th on the way.
Both Dave and Judy were raised Catholic even though Dave’s father was not originally Catholic. “I knew about the Knights growing up because my father had become Catholic and joined the Knights along with my grandfather,” Dave says.
Dave’s oldest son, Jason, is a member of the Knights. He serves as the chancellor for the Des Moines Diocese and works for Bishop Joensen in West Des Moines.
Activity Involvement
Dave has spent countless hours volunteering his time with multiple activities through the Knights of Columbus. Dave participated in the Knights for years and found a leadership position once the St. Francis Chapter (12422) where he became the first Grand Knight of the council in 1999 and served almost two years.
“I started out as a Grand Knight so I never really worked my way up through the ranks, but then I became a Trustee for three years,” Dave says. “Then I just laid low and never did anything on the District or the State level. Two years ago this July I became the Faithful Navigator of the Fourth Degree.”
Dave has been an active volunteer in many different events held by the Knights including the parish fish fries, the CPID (Tootsie Roll drive), roses on Mother’s Day, the free throw contest and always lending a hand to a new parish priest in need.
“I enjoy the Knights because they are a great group of people with similar beliefs and thought processes that I share,” he says. “We are a group of men and we are all strong Catholics who believe in Catholicism.
“I believe strongly in what they stand for, fraternalism and helping others in need,” he says. “The Knights also fight against abortion and I am a big advocate for not aborting babies. The Knights are always available to help financially and personally with the seminarians, priests and deacons.”
Dave is thankful for his fourth degree and looks back on how he can lend advice to young and future Knights seeking a similar path. “Don’t just pay your dues and do nothing,” he says. “Get involved. Be a part of the Knights and you will get a lot more out of it if you get involved with the activities and get to know the group of people we have in our assembly and in our council.”