Robert Allan Curtis

Robert Allan Curtis, age 77, of Henderson, Nevada, passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Siena Campus, in Henderson. His ashes will be scattered at a place he chose at a later date.

Robert Allan Curtis was born to Evelyn Willard Curtis and William Curtis in Glendale, California, on October 28, 1946. Mr. Curtis spent his youth attending school there and graduating from Hoover High School in Glendale. After high school, his career took him to the UCLA Extension Screen Writers Program. During summers, he worked with various summer stock plays, either as an actor or a “go-fer.” It didn’t matter – just being in “the business” was all he wanted.

His father was a lead singer with the Freddy Martin Orchestra in the 1940s and 50s. As a young boy, during the summer months, his mother and he would follow the orchestra from city to city, including New York City, New Orleans, Chicago and Las Vegas to name a few. His love of show business began in those years.

He was, from the beginning, a wordsmith, even in high school. He began his lifelong career in the entertainment business by writing jokes for Joey Bishop and Bob Hope. He typed them, put them in an envelope and mailed them to the studio. Bob Hope liked them, bought them and asked for more. In a few short months, he was asked to join the Hope writers’ group. He was hooked. His mother drove him to and from the studio every day.

After high school, he began his career at the UCLA Extension Screen Writers Program, during which time he was writing for various television programs. In 1967, he joined the Air National Guard of California and served for six years after which he received an honorable discharge. Over the years, Robert had been married twice. Both of those marriages ended in divorce.

During his career in the entertainment industry, in front of the camera, he hosted a daytime talk show in Los Angeles, starred in a made-for-TV movie for CBS and worked as an actor in programs such as The Young and the Restless and Alien Nation. He also worked as an editor, producer at CBS San Diego, CA, writer, and loved every minute of it the behind-the-scenes world. He earned three Emmys for his comedy writing and culminated his career retiring as a Senior Writer/Producer at CBS in Los Angeles.

He was united in marriage to Louise Mickelson Schmelzer in 2013, after more than 10 years together. They would have celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary in December. He is survived by his wife, Louise, and her children: Matthew Mickelson (Amy) and Rachel Mickelson Miller (Gregg.), and a cousin, Mary (Richard) Palys. He was preceded in death by his parents, many aunts, uncles and cousins. He will be missed by many friends and co-workers made over the years in his work and travels.

Robert Curtis was a kind man who loved people and animals. He was quick-witted and interested in everything. He loved the life he lived. When the subject of death came up, as it often does with people of a certain age, he told his wife, Louise, “No matter what happens, know that I have lived the best life. I loved being in the entertainment industry and I have done everything I wanted to do. I’ll be ready.”