Shelly Kurtz

Giddyup, cowboy

Shelly Kurtz

  • Age: 65
  • Lives in: Coralville
  • Occupation: University of Iowa law professor
  • Favorite thing: Torn between his 50-inch TV and his iPhone

Spend a few minutes with Sheldon Kurtz — known by most as Shelly — and you know you have a character on your hands.

You generally always know when he’s in the room. The man has presence.

It’s not only the distinct attire you sometimes catch him wearing, but it’s a good place to start.

These days Kurtz can be seen donning his calf high cowboy boots, cowboy hat, dark rimmed glasses and shaved head, along with a studded diamond earring in his left ear.

“I still think of myself in my Western phase,” said Kurtz, a law professor at University of Iowa.

Throughout his life, Kurtz’s fashion has evolved. He had his Italian suit era and Brooks Brothers three-buttoned suit era, he said.

Kurtz is not all about fashion trends though.

He works humor into his and others’ lives. In class or meetings, he tries to lighten tense moments with a laugh. He’s pretty quick with a one-liner.

“I try to use humor to break things up, to cut the mood,” Kurtz said.

His humor can be cutting, he said. But he doesn’t mind being the butt of the joke either.

“I don’t take life overly seriously,” Kurtz said. “Part of the fun of life is being able to laugh.”

— Brian Morelli