When Dar approached me to join the SHE board, I was already working in developing countries financing and installing solar lighting systems. Naturally, solar cooking was the next thing needed in many communities around the world. He was an impressive Washington Brahmin, tall, smart and dignified, with years of solar policy experience behind him. Even more impressive was being able to design the first solar cooker to fit in a box with the glass and metal pot, and steel mirror, and get it manufactured in Mexico. He saw a need few other foreign aid professionals did, acted on it, and attracted a devoted team of activists and trainers. He kept going when many much younger folks run out of steam, and so he will always be an inspiration. I was honored to know him.

The world has lost a giant of a man. Beyond Darwin O'Ryan Curtis' distinguished career, in retirement he contributed tirelessly as a volunteer for 3 decades to research, advocacy and spread of solar cooking through nonprofits Solar Cookers International (SCI) and Solar Household Energy, Inc. to relieve the 1/3 with no alternatives to cooking food over wood fires, and now suffering severe wood shortages, bartering scarce food away to cook what is left. 
           Bev Blum, former Director of SCI

I am most fortunate to have worked with Dar for over 20 years. He was my mentor and became a dear friend who embraced me as a member of his family.  I miss him, but everything I do, is part of his legacy.
We met thru Bev Blum, SCI's founder and Executive Director, when I asked if there was another passionate solar cook in the DC area -- yes, DARWIN CURTIS! 
We worked as a team giving solar cooking demonstrations and lectures everywhere in the Metropolitan area. 
In 1997, Dar recommended me as a trainer for SCI's pilot Kakuma Refugee Camp project in Kenya,  where I gained experience, later used in Ashya Refugee Camp, Ethiopia and in Epworth, a slum outside Harare, Zimbabwe. 
We brain-stormed and agreed that we could not prove 'acceptance of solar cooking' among refugees, unable to purchase a solar oven. Together with Barbara Knudson, a SCI Board Member, we founded Solar Household Energy, an international non-profit with the ambitious goal of empowering entrepreneurs to use and sell solar ovens! 
SHE's most ambitious and rewarding project was in rural Mexico training women how to save money spent on fuel by solar cooking -- which could encourage them to buy a solar oven. SHE worked in partnership with Mexico's Nature Conservancy and together we won funding from the World Bank Development Marketplace. 
I lead SHE's field projects and SHE's Board provided me with carefully planned guidelines. 
Only once did Dar and I travel together -- to a Mixtec village, near Oaxaca to observe artisans 'paying' for their solar ovens by selling their artistically woven baskets.  As a special treat, Senora Esperanza prepared a squash blossom soup - it was Dar's birthday!
SHE's office was Dar's home, where we would solar cook, during our meetings. He was meticulous and well- prepared but always upbeat and fun. He lived what he preached and knew how to brighten the lives of others. 

I read the Washington Post Obits every week.  Mr. Curtis looks exactly like my father.  Just took me by surprise.  I had to post this.  I shared with family members and they said this is Dad.  I am sorry for your loss.

I first met Dar some years ago at his home, invited for a solar cooked feast along with several solar cooking enthusiasts.  As the newly installed president of the board of Solar Household Energy (SHE), I was rather anxious about making a good impression on a founder and benefactor of the organization and a luminary in the solar cooking sector.

With the first hand-shake, Dar put me at ease and we launched into a relaxed and stimulating discussion of international development’s far-ranging issues, the real potential of solar cooking within that global context and the particular challenges that lay ahead for SHE.  At that initial meeting, Dar conveyed a motivating vision for the success of SHE.  Later, I read Dar’s memoire which reinforced my sense of his genuine interest in others, inquisitive mind and passion for good works. 

At SHE we strive to carry forward the vision, mission and the positive work culture that Dar established and exemplified. Those of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with Dar remain inspired by his legacy.

David Grossman
President of the Board
Solar Household Energy

Dar was an inspiration to us all. He was a true gentleman, a kind, gentle spirit, with a delightful sense of humor. I met Dar 9 years ago as I started volunteering for SHE. He ignited my passion for solar cooking, and I am still inspired by his vision to this day in my work for Solar Household Energy, the NGO he co-founded.  

I remember fondly how well he connected with everyone he met in his solar cooking advocacy efforts  - his letters to partners and colleagues were eloquent and playful with a personal touch, and he was wonderful at entertaining in his home. We enjoyed many sunny afternoons feasting on the solar cooked dishes we had made together that morning. He taught me how to solar cook in the HotPot his famous Ratatouille dish, which he jokingly called "rat-a-tootie" as one of his grandkids called it. Here is a video of one such afternoon at his house: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vexoEDyo7lA

Under his guidance, I analyzed documents from past and ongoing solar cooking projects. I was impressed at how he always asked such good questions, and am grateful at how he encouraged me to dive into the details to get to the heart of the matter, giving me excellent feedback on my efforts to understand on-the-ground realities. Even in his old age, he was exceptionally sharp and intelligent, but always humble.

He was an influential figure in my life. He was a wonderful mentor and friend, and it is an honor to continue his solar cooking legacy. My deepest condolences to his family.


Dar remembered meeting me in Rome circa 1967 when I was 12 and he was a guest of my parents.  That memory eludes me but many warm memories have been formed since we met again in 2002 and I was lured into the world of solar cooking and SHE Inc. Pleasure was always mixed with business. 
A recurring one was elegant lunches (especially the cheese selection) on the backyard patio of 13 E. Melrose St. A SHE highlight was attending a ceremony at the World Bank circa 2004 at which winners of "development marketplace" grants were announced from the roster of finalists. Dar practically leaped in the air with joy when we were named a winner, after many frustrated efforts to gain the attention of institutions and agencies in Washington.  Dar's vision, patience, generosity, and optimistic tenacity throughout our many overlapping years with SHE was/has been an inspiration to me.
Warm non-SHE memories include Christmas parties in Chevy Chase, and other social gatherings and restaurant meals. I am especially pleased that such occasions provided the opportunity for me and Sally to form lasting friendships  with John, Randy, Callie, Steve, Denise and Lee.
Finally, a note about Dar the writer.  His overall elegance as a person, when expressed in writing, had a pleasing quaintness that produced word combinations that were memorable and sometimes amusing to me. In the context of SHE, they also reflected what to him was the largely alien and crass world of commerce. He once asked me to "compose a business plan" for SHE. Fortunately, the resulting "composition" was deemed satisfactory!  

Thinking of you all!

There are so many memories. Dar has always been a hero in the Nelson family.

Rae Nelson

The Syed family express their condolences and warmest thoughts to Dar's family and friends. He was a pillar of the solar cooking community and will be fondly remembered for his wisdom, experience, humor, and gentle spirit. 

We are very saddened to hear this news and share our condolences with everyone who knew Dar.  He was a tireless advocate for solar cooking, and a kind soul.  I remember fondly his impressive collection of solar cookers at his home, and his desire to welcome anyone to discuss solar cooking and share solar cooked food.  The world certainly needs more people like Dar.  We are thankful for his many years of dedication to Solar Cookers International, including empowering women in Tanzania with solar cooking tools and knowledge, and support of solar cooking sector knowledge and research with a White Paper (https://www.solarcookers.org/about/blog/sci-supporter-darwin-curtis-makes-solar-cooking-research-possible).  Mr. Curtis received the Solar Cookers International Order of Excellence in 2013.  We will keep him in our thoughts and hearts.  

Dar has been a friend and a solar cooking colleague since we met in 2006 after I returned from a year in northern Afghanistan.  Along with Dar’s Solar Household Energy co-founder Louise Meyer and the many others in this movement, Dar and  I shared the conviction that solar cooking technology has the potential to dramatically improve the lives of poor families living in deforested but sun drenched parts of the world. Promoting solar cooking technology was and continues to be an uphill battle against powerful forces but Dar was never willing to give up the fight.  Just six weeks ago, I received an email from Dar asking for updates on an article on solar cooker tests done by the Environmental Protection Agency that we were both expecting to be published in the near future. Dar was a mentor, an inspiration and a delightful host for the many solar cooking events and SHE board meetings he held at his house. He kept us all moving forward through some very challenging times.  It has been  an honor to be Dar’s  friend and colleague over  the past fifteen years.  I miss you, Dar.

OBITUARY

Darwin O'R Curtis

7 September, 1926 – 5 November, 2020

Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home

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