Curtis "Curt" Thompson Bell

Curtis (Curt) Thompson Bell passed away on April 22, 2023, at Sibley Memorial Hospital and was buried in a private ceremony at St. Paul’s Rock Creek Cemetery. He was born in Takoma Park, MD on November 10, 1942.

The son of Benjamin Bell and Josephine Thompson, Curtis was a proud and lifelong Washingtonian. He is survived by a brother Doug from Maryland and a niece Michelle of Oregon. As a permanent resident of Ft. Lauderdale Florida, Curtis split his time between the two areas loving the warmth of the Florida sunshine but also enjoying everything the DC area had to offer. He was a lover of the theatre and often attended shows at The Signature Theatre and Arena Stages as well as making numerous trips to NYC to catch the most recent Broadway shows. Curtis had a love for travel and over the years visited numerous places around the world with his friends. He traveled to China, Russia, Vietnam, Thailand, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, France, Spain, India, England, Mexico, Australia and took numerous cruises throughout his life. Whenever it was mentioned of a new place for him to visit, he could be heard saying “I’ve been there and done that”!

In addition to his travel Curtis was a philanthropist and donated significantly over the years to numerous charities and organizations which he felt made a difference in the lives of others and the community. He had been a part of The Freedom Forum (formerly Newseum) and was instrumental in bringing the “Rise Up” Exhibit to the organization which focused on the history of the LGBTQ movement from Stonewall to present day. He had been involved with SMAYL, People for the American Way, GLAAD, Sage of South Florida, The Trevor Project, Hillwood Estate, NPR, Friends of WLRN (South Florida), The Anti-Defamation League, Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU, Lambda Legal and WPBT Communications (South Florida) just to name a few. In addition, Curtis provided financial assistance to young people for numerous educational opportunities via scholarships. His generosity will continue to be paid forward via the young people he provided for during his lifetime. He was also proud of his own educational accomplishments and should be noted that he was a graduate of American University with a master’s degree and was published.

Curtis had two great loves in his life (real estate and clocks). He worked for years at NHBI (New Home Builders Institute) and made a rolodex of connections! During his life he not only bought and sold numerous homes but also property managed various units and buildings in the FL and DC areas. He at the time was once the youngest Real Estate Broker in Washington DC of which he was very proud. In his homes he displayed every single timepiece imaginable from grandfather clocks, wall clocks, desk clocks, windup alarm clocks, anniversary clocks and numerous others. Those who often stayed overnight at his home when traveling to the area commented on the lack of sleep they would get due to the bells and chiming of the clocks throughout the night.

Curt loved life, a good dirty martini, sometimes an inexpensive bottle of wine, the company of his friends, his dog Abby and all who knew him will miss him dearly. There are not enough good things to say about him, his generosity, his spirit and his love for those around him. His friends became family and as he was laid to rest in his Scottish kilt, we know the bag pipes will continue to play off in the distance reminding all who loved him of his grace, dignity and love he had for all.