Riley Kurtz Memorial Scholarship

Riley Benjamin Kurtz, age 24, passed away on Monday, January 3, 2022, at Aspirus Hospital, in Wausau, Wisconsin. He earned his nickname “Smiley Riley” with his affectionate smile and welcoming personality. He was one of the good ones, kind, patient, funny, outgoing, and an avid outdoorsman. He had a passion for anything outdoors including hunting, fishing, and camping. He would give you the shirt off his back and was always there for anyone who needed anything. He truly cared for others, which led directly to his life of service as a police officer.

In high school Riley would go to his Dad daily to have him sign a waiver allowing him to go on police ride a-longs. He then proceeded to follow his love of law enforcement and graduate from NTC with his Criminal Justice degree. Officer Riley Kurtz served for approximately two years with the Merrill Police Department, over one year with the Kronenwetter Police Department, and approximately six months as a Reserve Deputy with the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office. The expectation of this scholarship is to support students financially that are in the Criminal Justice program Riley graduated from. The funds will assist students to advance in the program in hopes they will protect the people and communities Riley once did.