Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Frederick Augustus Jr. CURTIS
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX) - Sunday, May 4, 2008
Deceased Name: FREDERICK AUGUSTIS 'MIKE' CURTIS Engineer was known as dependable leader
Frederick Augustis "Mike" Curtis was an energetic, bright, dependable problem-solver and leader who loved life, his family and friends said Saturday.
He was always interested in engineering and was dedicated to mentoring and developing engineers and business associates at his workplace, recently Lockheed Martin.
Mr. Curtis died Thursday after a long struggle with heart disease. He was 85.
Mr. Curtis retired in 1991from General Dynamics as vice president of special assignments. He specialized in aircraft stability and control and had a number of lead and management roles such as chief project engineer for the F-111 program and vice president and deputy program director for the F-16.
He began working for the company, then known as Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corp., in 1949.
He participated in the B-36, B-60, B-58 and B-57F aircraft programs.
"Mike's engineering, technical ability and program management ability made him a great problem-solver," said Bob Widmer of Fort Worth, who was Mr. Curtis' close friend and co-worker. "He was a brilliant engineer."
Achievements began at an early age for Mr. Curtis, who always had a desire for discovery.
He was an avid Boy Scout and attended the world Boy Scout Jamboree in Amsterdam at age 13.
He later became an Eagle Scout.
"I have no idea how many merit badges he has," said his son Charles Curtis of Burleson.
"He was always interested in learning new things right up until the end of his life."
Mr. Curtis received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Haverford College, a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a master's degree from the California Institute of Technology.
He enlisted in the Army soon after World War II began. He served as a corporal in a tank unit in Europe.
His wife, Rose Anna Miller Curtis, said he was persistent in learning new challenges and liked to stay busy. He loved to read, travel and to try new restaurants. He even taught himself how to use a computer after he retired, she said.
"He never gave up until the very end," she said.
Mr. Curtis was preceded in death by his first wife, Constance Rheaume Curtis, in 1983, and an infant daughter, Margaret, in 1950.
Mr. Curtis is also survived by son Fred Curtis of Teaneck, N.J., stepdaughter Suzanne Winton; brother Nevius Curtis of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; and sisters Ann Wood of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Phoebe Reynolds of Oxford, Md.
Services
Visitation: 3 to 5 p.m. today at Greenwood Funeral Home, 3100 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth.
Funeral: 9:30 a.m. Monday in Greenwood Chapel.
Interment: Mount Olive Cemetery
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