Kurt Paul Thum

Kurt Paul Thum, 84 of Shrewsbury, NJ, passed away on Saturday, July 24th.  He was born in Newark, N.J., to the late Frederick and Gertrude Thum.  Kurt earned his Master’s Degree in Fine Art from Kean University.  He was a lifelong artist and served as Arts Supervisor for the Freehold Regional High School District.

Kurt is predeceased by his two sisters, Barbara and Katherine.  Surviving are his wife, Donna; two sons, Gregory Thum and Kurt Paul Thum, Jr.; his daughter, Paula Brett (and spouse, Jeffrey Granger); his brother, Frederick Thum; and his grandchildren, Nolan and Elliot Granger.

Kurt was truly a Renaissance Man.  His love of art, music, science, his children, grandchildren, stepchildren, and man’s best friends— “Woof-Woof,” “Hans,” “Stephen,” and “Lola” — gave meaning to his life.  Nature was his haven, as many of his artworks reveal.  Curious and always questioning, he loved to dismantle and reassemble objects, ideas, and personalities.  He was a perceptive and loyal friend.  Lest we forget, his humor was dry, intelligent, witty, sometimes dark, and everywhere in-between.

Thum’s artwork has been collected across the U.S. and in Europe.  He has exhibited in multiple galleries and museums throughout New Jersey, including Monmouth Museum, Georgian Court College, Pavilion Galleries, Kean College, The PNC Arts Center (Garden State Arts Center), Bell Laboratories World Headquarters, Jentra Gallery, Rabbet Gallery, and Gallery Jupiter.


There will be a visitation at the John E. Day Funeral Home 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank, N.J., on Monday, August 2, 2021, from 11 AM to 1 PM, followed by a service at the same location.  Interment to immediately follow at Fair View Cemetery in Middletown, N.J. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Parkinson’s Research: The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014. www.michaeljfox.org 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.