Kurt Joseph Degenhart, 30, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at his home in Strausstown, PA.
Born in Reading, PA on June 30, 1993, he was the son of Karl and Lynn (Ronczka) Degenhart.
As a child, Kurt participated in karate and was invited to compete in a national competition at the age of 10. He also played baseball for many years, coached by his father. In addition, Kurt enjoyed playing soccer throughout his childhood and high school career. He was very passionate about the Philadelphia Union and enjoyed attending matches with his brother, Luke (he even took his sister, Kaytlyn, to her first MLS game). Kurt loved history and music, and was a great teammate to have for trivia. His favorite band was the Beatles. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends and videogames on his home-built gaming PC. Kurt liked to travel and recently vacationed in Italy. Kurt loved his favorite vacation destination, Rehoboth Beach, DE, and would enjoy playing dominoes and Monopoly with his family every night after swimming and boogey-boarding in the ocean all day. He loved animals, too, especially dogs and cats (he was an uncle to Copper and Harper).
To those that knew Kurt, he was polite, respectful, brave, and considerate. His parents would often receive compliments from friends’ parents, and even complete strangers, on how well-mannered and thoughtful he was. His most unique trait, and one that will be missed the most, was his curiosity and constant search for knowledge.
Surviving along with his parents are his sister Kaytlyn Degenhart; brother Luke Degenhart; grandfather Rubino C. Degenhart; aunts Kate Ronczka (wife of Paul Sinderson) and Ann Tomer; uncles Keith Ronczka and Michael Landis; and his cousins Derek and Jessica Sinderson. He is predeceased by his grandparents Carol and Jim Ronczka, Dolores “Jean” Degenhart, and his aunt Juleanne Degenhart Landis.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at 12:00PM at Catagnus Funeral Home (711 N. Franklin St., Pottstown, PA 19464). A visitation will also be held on Saturday, February 10, 2024, from 10:00 AM-12:00PM at the funeral home. A private burial will be held by the family at a later date.
In lieu of traditional floral tributes, the family lovingly requests that donations be considered in honor of Kurt Degenhart's enduring spirit and commitment to the well-being of others. Please direct your generosity to the Philadelphia Union Foundation's HeadFirst initiative, a cause close to their heart, dedicated to advancing mental health awareness and support in youth. This initiative mirrors Kurt's love of the Philadelphia Union and its Foundation’s dedication to nurturing resilience and hope within the community. Contributions can be made through their website at the following link Philadelphia Union Foundation. Your donation will serve as a lasting tribute to Kurt’s legacy, promoting mental health and wellness in a manner he would have wished for future Union fans and soccer players. Philadelphia Union Foundation