Richard L. Curtis

Lieutenant Commander Richard L. Curtis, USN (Ret.) was born in Boston, Ma., to Kenneth and Jacqueline Curtis. His father was a career Naval officer, serving on submarines before, during and after World War II.

When Richard was an infant, he and his family spent some time in Hawaii, but returned to Boston, where he lived until the age of 5 with his younger siblings, William and Mary. The family also adopted Richard's cousin, Kathy.

The family then moved to a New England-style home on extensive acreage in rural New Hamphshire, in the town of Wolfeboro, near Lake Winnipesaukee. As his father was often away at sea, Richard helped his mother and looked after his siblings.

He attended the town's small school, where his eighth-grade graduating class was 13 students. For high school, he attended Brewster Academy, a local preparatory school. He was a member of the varsity soccer team and played clarinet in the band. He also enjoyed skiing in the winter. It was here his love of golf was born, as he caddied at the local golf course. After his junior year, he pre-enlisted in the Navy and enrolled in Naval Submarine School.

After graduating high school, he was went on active duty as a Yeoman 3rd Class and was sent to his first submarine, the diesel boat USS Clamagore, one of the last of its kind. It is now located at Patriot's Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Charleston, S.C., and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a National Historic Landmark.

From there, he was assigned to nuclear-powered fast-attack submarines home-ported in Connecticut and, later, Norfolk, Va., including pre-commissioning duties for the USS Archerfish, for which he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal. During these assignments, he made several deployments to Europe and the North Atlantic.

As an enlisted man, he was awarded the Good Conduct medal with two stars, signifying 12 years of exemplary service. He was promoted up through the ranks, achieving E7, Chief Petty Officer status.

While living in Connecticut, he was overjoyed at the births of his son, Eric, and daughter, Jill, born in 1971 and 1972, respectively.

Also while stationed there, the Navy sent Richard to the local junior college to earn his Associate of Arts degree. Soon after, he was selected to become an Administrative Limited Duty Officer, commissioned as an Ensign, and transferred to nuclear power school in Orlando, Fla. It was there he met his second wife, Lieutenant Junior Grade Susan Eliason. They were married in 1979 and transfered together to Charleston, SC, where he served as the admin officer for Submarine Squadron 18.

After that tour of duty, the Navy again sent him to college, this time to earn his four year degree. He earned his Bachelor of Science at Charleston Southern College, where he was a member of the golf team.

While in Charleston, Richard was blessed with the birth of his younger daughter, Diana, in 1981.

In 1983, Richard and Susan were transfered to San Diego, Calif., where he served aboard a destroyer tender that was deployed to the Western Pacific. The ship then changed home ports, and he was stationed in Alameda, Calif., for 10 months.

Returning to San Diego, he was named the Admin and Legal Officer at the Naval Submarine Base. While in the billet, he received extensive training and experience with computers, networking and programming.

Richard retired from the Navy in December 1988, after 27 years of service, attaining the rank of lieutenant commander. Susan resigned her commission shortly thereafter, and the family moved back to Orlando, because it was their favorite of all the cities in which they were stationed.

The Navy was always Richard's vocation, and he was justly proud of his service and accomplishments.

Upon his retirement, he turned to his avocation — Golf! He started a second career as a teaching professional with Phil Ritson Golf School. He enjoyed it very much, and also began to work with the computer aspects of the school.

After five years, he began his third career as a computer programmer, creating small business applications and earning Microsoft Certified Technician status.

He continued to golf as often as possible, and also made and repaired golf clubs. He set up a workshop in the garage and enjoyed the technical aspects of creating clubs, as he became a craftsman in the art.

He retired from programming and enjoyed full-time golfing, country western music, reading and watching movies — westerns, science fiction and action adventure were his favorites. He also loved episodes of M.A.S.H. and America's Funniest Home Videos, as well as anything on the Golf Channel.

Golf remained his passion, and so he took a job at Edwin Watts Golf, first working in computer/shipping jobs, and eventually moving to the retail floor.

He retired from that job, also, and took pleasure in his books, music and movies, and just enjoyed a life of leisure for as long as he was able.

Much too young, he became disabled, his journey on Earth has ended, and he has moved to be with Our Lord. His family thanks all of their family members and friends for their love and support, and special thanks to Ms. Marie Estime and the staff at Innovative Hospice Care in Winter Garden.

Richard is survived by his wife of 33 years, Susan Eliason Curtis; son, Eric Curtis; daughters, Jill (Neil) Sebacher and Diana (Michael) Mainieri; granddaughter, Megan Markham; brother, William Curtis; and sister, Mary, Holly and Heather

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Vitas Innovative Hospice Care.

Richard was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a man of tremendous integrity, unfailing honesty, steadfast loyalty, and had a very strong sense of right and wrong. He had a high intellect, far-reaching and subtle sense of humor, and was universally liked and respected by family, friends and colleagues. He will be missed, but he is not gone. He is with us now and forever.