Jurgen Lutz

Jurgen Lutz

Painter, Filmmaker, Father and Friend.

Jurgen Lutz was born in Berlin, Germany April 27, 1937. He died on November 3, 2021 with his loved ones beside him.

Jurgen and his parents, Erwin and Dora Lutz, lived in Berlin for most of the second world war.  Because of a profoundly war-torn childhood, Jurgen’s great purpose in life was creating beauty everywhere, and he needed to live in peace.  For this reason, he was a great gentleman, grounded and sensible, and easy to be around.  Jurgen leaves behind many friends and colleagues. Jurgen taught at Ryerson University in Toronto and took his turn as Head of Media Arts before he retired in 1989.  His gift to Ryerson? He taught the art of creation itself to many of today’s well-known artists and filmmakers.  His students adored him. He made many experimental films from 1970- 1987 when he directed “A Moving Picture “about the choreographic work of Ann Ditchburn for CBC.  After retiring in 1989, Jurgen moved to Knowlton, Quebec, where he spent the next twenty-five years painting.  His work can be seen on the website.

https://jurgenlutz-thegillianproject.weebly.com/

Jurgen was an only child. His parents predecease him. His father in 1958 and his mother in 1989.  He leaves behind his ex-wife Ute Lutz and his two beautiful daughters; Mimi Lutz MacLeod, her husband Ian MacLeod and their children Ryder, Kaiya and Sierra; Jule Lutz Charlton, her husband Doug Charlton and their children, Nyah and Cole, all of British Columbia, Canada. Jurgen was the special surprise for Mimi’s Birthday a few years back, and yes, very unlike his dignified self, he popped out of a birthday present. In 2016 Jurgen spent months in BC with his children and grandchildren. This was a special time.  Jule, Mimi and grandson Ryder have been at Jurgen’s bedside this week.

We are grateful for the best heart-centered care in Ontario at Redstone Household in Malton Village Long Term Care. This was the first Butterfly Care Home in Ontario. Since December 2017, this has been Jurgen’s home, and he has received great emotional support and medical care from the staff. He told us recently that he saw their care of his failing body as love. Staff ‘loved’ him very well every day. He loved them too.  Thank you to many doctors and nurses who did amazing things to make Parkinson’s appear less formidable than it was.  Jurgen shows us all how to find peace in unexpected places. He was not at all willing to be there at first. And then he told us “I’m okay here.” That is because Redstone House is a special place for sensitive people.

Before that, his best friend, Debbie Barrette made it possible for Jurgen to live outside of a nursing home for years. No small feat. This was dedication and friendship beyond the beyond. Angels hang out with Debbie, one of their own.

His friend, and surrogate niece, Kelley Ditchburn has been at his side at Malton Village regularly for four years.  This week she has held his hand as he transitioned.  Jurgen was the best sarcastic joker.  Kelley too. Lately they would tease one another, “Let’s not get too sentimental.“  But then they’d both cry.  Kelley has been a magnificent care giver.

He will be very missed by his friend, Ann Ditchburn, sister in spirit.  They had a fifty year collaboration and they were every kind of friend to one another, ultimately sister and brother felt most true.

Thank you Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, Buddha’s Light, for chanting this week.

Many friends say Jurgen did not quite live on earth. It felt like he lived on a higher plain, so it is fitting today that this beautiful man is going all the way home.

We cry and we celebrate.

Soon there will be a celebration of the life of Jurgen Lutz and all the beauty he created.