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Curt was born on July 8, 1960, in Urbana, IL. He lived in Urbana until the age of 5. |
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In 1965, his family moved to Kankakee. His family consisted of his parents and older brother Glenn. Although they both chose very different careers, (his in the outdoor field and Glenn's in the financial field) they were always very close friends. Curt lived in Kankakee until he moved away to college.
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He attended Eastridge High School in Kankakee, where he scored the record high ACT score for the school at that time. He participated in school activities, including working on the sets for the annual high school musicals - South Pacific, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, and others. |
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In high school and college, Curt drove an orange 1966 Chevy convertible that he really loved. He worked at a trap range, a bank, and on construction jobs through his high school and college years. At the University of Illinois he majored in biology. and was named to the Dean's list where he earned his bachelors degree in 1982. |
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Curt began his Park Service career after college graduation, initially working as a volunteer on the Buffalo National River. After his first season as a volunteer, he went to the Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program (SLETP) in Franklin, NC. Later he attended Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy and earned his commission as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer. |
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Curts career allowed him to serve at Buffalo National River, Shenandoah National Park, Yosemite National Park, Deleware Water Gap, St. Croix National Scenic River, and finally, Redwood National & State Parks. |
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Curt always provided a welcome "vacation destination" for his family and friends, wherever he went. He was an excellent cook, and was renowned for his chili concoctions (most famously, his "Lower River Chili"), as well as his homemade lasagna, and his "Rotel Cheese Dip". Curt absolutly loved being a Park Ranger and seemed to be at his best when it involved a ride on his Harley or defending his football team, the Green Bay Packers. Curt passed away January 24, 2005 at the age of 44. |
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The most memorable things we will never forget about Curt was his wit and charm. He never had a bad thing to say about anybody, unless it had something to do with the San Francisco 49'ers or California cheese, yet, he would always put a spin on things negative or condescending and turn them into something funny, making you laugh. Even though Curt has passed on, those of us who knew Curt, will never forget his dedication to his family and friends and how he seemed to always make each person around him feel better in his or her own way. That was Curt's most remarkable gift...being Curt. |
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