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<p><em>Kurt O’Neal Lynam</em> was born April 17, 1956 in Arrington, Cambridgeshire, England to Edmond and Verona Lynam. He was the first of three children in an Air Force family. His father was a career pilot, and his mother became a senior Red Cross manager. His family fostered a sense of duty, discipline, service and faith. Living life on the move due to his dad’s frequently changing assignments, Kurt formed friendships easily. He explored his talents through Scouting (reaching the rank of Eagle Scout), sports and being outdoors. Kurt graduated from O’Fallon Township High School and earned a presidential appointment to West Point. He chose to join the Army instead of the Air Force in part because he disliked his father’s routine absences on air missions and deployments. </p>
<p>At West Point Kurt first joined H-1, the company known for being the toughest on plebes. He won respect for his discipline, thoughtfulness and calmness in the face of pressure. In the summer of 1976, while training with an airborne unit at Fort Bragg, NC, Kurt experienced a life-threatening jump mishap when a soldier landed on his chute. After their two main chutes and the soldier’s reserve were twisted together, Kurt successfully deployed his reserve chute shortly before they hit the ground. Ever unflappable, he went on to jump again and later sought airborne assignments. After that summer he joined Company C-1. His roommate, Rich Van Orsdale, said that “Kurt always had a smile on his face. It was as if he knew something that nobody else knew. He never stressed on anything.” He noted that Kurt was so devoted and in love with his Bev that everybody knew they were going to be a perfect permanent couple. Kurt graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and was commissioned in Infantry. Kurt married Beverly Ann Moulton three days after graduation. </p>
<p>Kurt’s first assignment was with 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment in Germany. He served as an aide-de-camp before joining the 82d Airborne Division. After company command, Kurt served an ROTC assignment in Oregon. After transferring to Third Army, Kurt deployed to Desert Storm and supported a United Nations peacekeeping operation. In 1992 Kurt resigned from active duty and returned to Beaverton, OR to be able to spend more time with his family. He transitioned to the Army Reserve and Civil Affairs and served 12 years with the 364th Civil Affairs Brigade, deploying to Bosnia in 1997. He retired in 2016 as a lieutenant colonel. He was most proud to be a Master Parachutist and Ranger-qualified infantryman, having served with the 82d and 101st Airborne divisions.</p>
<p>Kurt’s civilian career began at Evergreen Aviation in 1992. He went on to be a successful national sales director at a medical equipment company, Bioject, where he excelled in sales, marketing, business development and project management. With his proven strength in account and relationship management, Kurt joined the Department of Energy’s Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) in 2007 as the manager of the employee relations team. He transferred to public affairs in 2010 and served 10 years as the account manager for Tribal Relations with all the Native American tribes in the BPA’s area of responsibility. Kurt retired from BPA and 32 years of federal service at the end of 2019. In 2020 Kurt became an independent tribal relationship management and policy advisor, widely respected for his wisdom, plain speaking, kindness and concern for others. </p>
<p>Kurt was a devoted and loyal husband to Bev for nearly 46 years. They loved going to the beach together, working in the yard, cheering on the Portland Thorns, walking the dog, eating McMenamins burgers and cheering on their children and grandkids at sporting events. Their favorite place to visit was Maui. </p>
<p>Kurt’s family was his pride and joy. He was a devoted father to his three daughters and was known for his warmth, humor, and wisdom in guiding them through life’s challenges. He was “Daddy Kurt” to his grandchildren. Kurt was their ever-present supporter, encourager and helper and made sure that they knew how awesome they were and how proud he was of each of them. </p>
<p>Kurt felt a strong connection to his Choctaw heritage. He drew strength from the traditions of his ancestors and learned as much as he could about Choctaw language and culture to not only represent himself authentically but also to pass this knowledge on to his family. </p>
<p> “Kwik Kurt” was a lifelong runner. He ran with a team that completed the annual 200-mile “Mount Hood to Coast” race for many years until he retired from the team in 2021. Kurt always felt at one with nature. He would venture on camping trips and elk hunts that took him into the wilderness for days at a time. Whether you knew Kurt for a lifetime or just a fleeting moment, his warmth, kindness, and zest for life touched you. </p>
<p>Kurt went out running on the morning of April 5, 2024 and tragically suffered a heart attack and passed away. His passing was a shock to all who knew him. His family shared, “We can say with 100 percent certainty that our Kurt lived a life of no regrets and took every possible moment to be present, listen, love and serve.” Kurt is resting now from a race masterfully run but finished too soon. </p>
<p><em>— Dennis Szydloski, Beverly Lynam, and Classmates</em></p>
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