Ozarks Profile: Marty Kurz

Marty Kurz

Owner and head pharmacist, Cotter's Pharmacy and Health Care Center, 1959 S. National. Cotter's is the oldest independently-owned pharmacy in Springfield, having opened in 1920. A former pharmaceutical rep, Kurz met and befriended the second owners of Cotter's in the 60s because Cotter's was in his sales territory. He purchased the business from the two partners in 1969 after learning it was for sale. Under Kurz's ownership, Cotter's expanded to become not just a pharmacy, but a health care supply center. Cotter's reported that it had two pharmacists and 16 employees in May 1999. Kurz is a member of the Ozark Pharmacy Association and the National Community of Pharmacists.

Age: 65

No. of years in Springfield/area: Kurz has been in the Springfield/Joplin area since 1962.

Education: Kurz attended parochial school in St. Louis and received his pharmacist's degree from St. Louis College of Pharmacy, the first college of pharmacy west of the Mississippi River.

Early career: Kurz mowed lawns for neighbors in St. Louis as a boy, then worked in a paint store in high school. After attending St. Louis University, Kurz entered the Navy for four years and served in the Medical Service Corps in the U.S. Hospital in Guam, which led to his interest in the medical field. After pharmacy school, he worked in the pharmacy at St. John's Hospital in Joplin, then got a job in pharmaceutical sales with Winthrop Laboratories. Cotter's was in his sales territory and he became friends with the owners, eventually buying the business.

Current projects: Kurz established the home health side of Cotter's business and continues to make improvements to it.

Management philosophy: "We now have three to four different generations of customers coming in our store every day ... get to know your customers they become your friends. I love the people who come in day after day, and I love meeting new people," Kurz said.

Spare-time pursuits: Kurz lives on 30 acres and raises Black Angus cattle. He also enjoys gardening and spending time with his family.

Family data: Kurz and his wife, Jean, have four children who live in Springfield and Baton Rouge, La. They also have three grandchildren and one on the way.