Burton Curtis

Burton C. Curtis was a formidable man, who lived an incredible life. He was honest, humble, sincere, and dedicated to his profession and his family. Qualities that are in increasingly short supply these days. He showed me how to be a good father and husband. We admire him, respect him, and most of all we miss him.

Born April 9, 1930, in Herrick, Pa., to rural dairy farmers Florence Wicks and L. Bert Curtis, young Burton was milking cows by the age of 6. He had three sisters -- Arlene, Joan and Marian, and one brother -- Buster. He also had three half-sisters -- Dorothy, Eva and Betty, and a half-brother -- Bob. Bob was killed in France just as WWII was coming to a close. He is buried above Omaha Beach, and Burt had the opportunity to visit his grave many years later.

Burt would be the first to tell you he didn't enjoy school much. He joined the Air Force in 1949 at the age of 18. He served his tour and was discharged, but remained in the reserves and was called back to active duty during the Korean War.

Moving to Reno, Nev., in the early 1950s, Burt went to work for the Air National Guard.

During this time he met and courted his wife, Mona Faye Johnson. Their first date was at a bowling alley. They were married Dec. 29, 1957.

Burt and Mona have three children -- William Burton, Jamie Maureen, and Mark Karl Curtis.

Burt remained with the National Guard and in 1968 was reactivated with the USAF and the family moved to Richards-Gebaur AFB in Missouri. In 1969, he decided to re-enlist and in 1970 he and his family moved to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, where they remained even as Burt was stationed overseas on several occasions--including Vietnam during the active conflict, Thailand, and the UK.

He was assigned to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing's Avionics Maintenance Squadron, maintaining radar-jamming capabilities of the now-legendary General Dynamics F111-F.

At the time of his retirement from active duty in 1984, Burt was the second-longest serving chief master sergeant in the Air Force, having racked up an impressive 37 total years of military service--18 as chief master sergeant.

Burt's military accomplishments are impressive, yet he rarely spoke of them.

Chief master sergeant, Nevada Air National Guard, then United States Air Force. He served as avionics manager for eight years, integrated avionics superintendent for seven years, and in avionics sensors systems for three years.

After retirement from active duty, Burt was in charge of the flight simulator at Mountain Home Air Force Base for Singer Link Corporation.

These are just some of his military awards and commendations:

* The Bronze Star (for meritorious service during active Vietnam Conflict).

* Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf.

* Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaves.

* Distinguished Presidential Unit Citation.

* Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with five oak leaves.

* National Defense Service Medal.

* Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars.

* Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

* Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Award.

* Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

* Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 oak leaves

Burt Curtis was a man of few words but a big heart. He had a twinkle in his eye and a sly sense of humor.

He loved a good tomato so he grew them himself in his oversized garden.

He could fix almost anything. He had strong arms, and an especially soft spot for his grandchildren.

He liked Fudgesicles, and washing down a good PBJ sandwich with some chocolate milk.

When he was stationed away, he always wrote each of us letters which we anxiously awaited and cherished. He always brought home small, thoughtful gifts when he returned from a tour of duty. Yeah, he was larger than life in our eyes.

He enjoyed camping and fishing and we had many years of family adventures in our Winnebago, including a cross-country trip to New York and back -- the classic family road trip.

He reveled in a good joke, and cooked a mean steak -- old-school style over the backyard charcoal grill. One of my favorite smells, the scent of barbecuing meat floating on a summer's breeze always reminds me of my dad. He taught my mom how to make the world's tastiest lasagna, a recipe we now treasure and brag about endlessly.

Alzheimer's disease, that merciless bastard, slowly stole my father's memories from him in his final years--but his achievements, humor, and generosity of spirit will continue to thrive in the hearts and minds of those who love him dearly.

Burt was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Bob and Buster, and sister Betty LeVitt.

Burt's memory lives on in his wife of 57 years, Mona; their three children, Bill, Jamie and Mark, eight grandchildren -- Tyler and Stefan Curtis; Sarah Miller, Brandon and Rachel Sloan, and Hailey Schiewe, Madison and Maxwell Curtis. As of this writing there are seven great-grandchildren.

Even now, I can imagine God enjoying one of the best steaks he's ever had, or perhaps some amazing lasagna. The earth is a little darker today, but Heaven is surely a bit brighter.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014, at Mountain View Cemetery, Mountain Home, Idaho.