Eric Jerome Kutche, 54, of Flower Mound, Texas, passed away on May 16, 2026. Born on March 22, 1972, in Torrance, California, Eric lived a life defined by curiosity, accomplishment, compassion, resilience, and an extraordinary ability to connect with others. Though his life ended far too soon, the impact he made on the people, professions, and communities he touched will endure for generations.

Eric was proudly named after his grandfather, Jerome A. Kutche. Eric's time spent with his grandfather remained poignant to him throughout his life, especially when he came across any form of the number 313. Raised in a Catholic military family, he attended Our Lady of Greenwood Catholic School when he moved to Indiana, served as an altar boy to Monsignor Joseph G. Riedman, participated in Boy Scouts, and excelled academically from an early age. Learning genuinely brought him joy. Even as a child, his intelligence, curiosity, and thoughtful nature were evident to those around him.

His father, who survives, George F. Kutche's Naval career took the family from California to Hawaii, Guam, and eventually Indianapolis. It was there in Indiana where he had the opportunity to expand his familial connections with many aunts, uncles and cousins. Those earliest life experiences, however, were the ones that exposed Eric to different cultures, perspectives, and communities while nurturing a lifelong love of the ocean and the beach. Throughout his life, the water remained a place of peace, reflection, and renewal. Years later, it seemed only fitting that he would propose to the love of his life, Linda Anstett, on a beach that held special meaning for them both.

At age 18, Eric attended the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State University, where he discovered both his professional calling and a community of lifelong friends. Friends from those years remember a young man who was brilliant, inquisitive, passionate, and full of life. He loved design, ideas, spirited conversations, music, sports, and the shared experience of college life. He was known for his quick wit, infectious enthusiasm, and ability to make people feel included. As one lifelong friend simply said, "Nobody did not like Eric."

Architecture was more than a profession for Eric—it was a calling. Over the course of a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, he became a respected leader in healthcare architecture, helping design state-of-the-art hospitals, medical facilities, behavioral health centers, and healthcare environments that improved the lives of patients, families, caregivers, and Veterans. He believed deeply that the built environment could promote healing, dignity, accessibility, and human connection.

Eric's work reflected his belief that architecture should serve people. He became particularly passionate about healthcare design, mental health advocacy, autism awareness, and creating environments where every individual felt valued and supported. Colleagues admired his intellect, creativity, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence. One person described Eric this way, "There are some people whose presence changes the emotional texture of a room. Eric was one of these people". Yet despite his many professional accomplishments, Eric was most proud of the relationships he built throughout his career.

Later in his career, before and while working most recently, for HKS, Eric found tremendous fulfillment in teaching and mentoring future architects. As an adjunct professor and mentor, Eric generously shared his knowledge, experience, and passion with students entering the profession. He took great pride in encouraging others, helping them discover their strengths, and preparing them to make meaningful contributions of their own. Many young architects carry forward lessons learned from Eric's guidance, generosity, and examples. Eric also volunteered his time, experience, and passion for sharing his knowledge with a local high school program, LISD's Incubator program, where he helped mentor students develop their love of entrepreneurship and helped several obtain funding for their businesses before graduating high school. Eric believed that knowledge and experience were meant to be shared.

Those who knew him understood that Eric's greatest hope was that people would recognize their own worth, embrace what made them unique, and find the courage to keep moving forward through life's challenges. He often encouraged others to see their differences not as limitations, but as strengths, and believed there was a place where everyone belonged.

Eric believed deeply in the importance of genuine human connection. Whether speaking with clients, colleagues, students, friends, or someone he had just met, he had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen, heard, and understood. He dreamed of helping create a world—particularly within healthcare and business—where every person would be valued for their unique gifts and abilities. Making a meaningful difference in the lives of others was not simply something Eric believed in; it was how he lived every day.

As an only child, he unknowingly was creating a family of the heart. The friends he met throughout his life became his brothers, sisters, trusted advisors, and lifelong companions. To those fortunate enough to be part of that circle, Eric was loyal, thoughtful, insightful, and endlessly supportive.

His proudest accomplishment was the life he built with his beloved wife, Linda. For more than 25 years, they shared a partnership grounded in devotion, humor, resilience, friendship, and unconditional love. Through life's celebrations and hardships, they remained each other's greatest source of strength and comfort. Friends often remarked on the deep love Eric had for Linda and the gratitude he felt for the life they shared together.

During their life together, Eric and Linda shared their home and hearts with nine beloved dogs. He was no doubt met in Heaven by many wagging tails. Their furry family brought them joy, comfort, laughter, and unconditional love throughout the years. Eric is survived by his wife, Linda, and by his "son," Bear Jerome, and his "daughter," Belle.

Outside of work, Eric's passions were many. He loved architecture, music, technology, building with Legos, Star Wars, Star Trek, and any conversation about life's biggest questions. Friends fondly remember countless hours spent listening to and quoting lyrics from their favorite musicians and bands, from Sting, Genesis, Phil Collins, and Eric's all-time favorite, Peter Gabriel. On one memorable occasion, Eric bought a plane ticket, took a chance, and was rewarded with the opportunity to meet Peter Gabriel and spend time talking with him in NYC. Friends also remember BSU college basketball game shenanigans, late nights in architecture studios, road trips, laughter, and the countless stories Eric shared along the way. And once he and Linda joined together, he became a proud Purdue University husband and fan. He approached everything he loved with enthusiasm, intensity, and genuine joy.

Throughout his life, Eric faced significant physical, medical, emotional, and personal challenges. Yet those who knew him best consistently point to his resilience. No matter the obstacle, Eric continued moving forward. He continued to educate himself and share his story in the hope that it might help others. He faced adversity with courage, determination, humor, and hope. Having experienced hardship himself, he became an advocate for others navigating challenges in their own lives.

Those who knew Eric often described him as a life force. He was all in—on his work, his friendships, his passions, his beliefs, and the people he loved. He brought energy to every room, authenticity to every relationship, and purpose to every endeavor. He could be thoughtful and reflective, loud and exuberant, deeply intellectual and wonderfully playful, sometimes all within the same conversation.

Eric will be remembered as a generous, loving, compassionate, and endlessly giving man with a brilliant mind, a quick wit, and a heart larger than Texas. He was the architect who helped shape healing spaces, the teacher who inspired future generations, the friend who always showed up, the mentor who offered wisdom and encouragement, and the husband who loved deeply and completely.

As one lifelong friend said, Eric was a life force. Those fortunate enough to know him will carry that force with them always.

He will be deeply missed, forever cherished, and lovingly remembered for infinity +1.