Wahkiakum Eagle-September 2001 CURTIS, Harold R., Retired, Lt. Cmdr. USN Age 63, retired Lt. Cmdr. USN, of Cathlamet, died in an Alzheimer's care facility in Steilacoom. He was born in Olympia to Frank and Ada (Hensley) Curtis. He grew up in Castle Rock and Hoquiam, graduating from Hoquiam High School in 1956. He joined the Navy at age 19, served 30 years and retired as a Lieutenant Commander in 1987. He was stationed at Lemoore and Alameda Naval Air Bases in Calif., Whidbey Island NAS in Wash., and the Naval Weapons Training Facility at Boardman, Ore. He served on several aircraft carriers, including the USS Kearsarge, USS Ranger, USS Saratoga and USS John F. Kennedy and toured many areas of the world including the Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, Spain, Italy, Norway, Australia, the African Serengeti Plains, and the Mediterranean, Suez, and Persian Gulf areas. He is survived by his wife, Rose Marie Curtis of Cathlamet; son, Curt and daughter, Desi of Hanford, Calif; step-children, William Cherrington, Bobbin Cherrington, Kathy Palusko, Terry Shaw, Pat Olds and Jim Olds of Calif., and Cora Vandveer of Virginia Beach, Va.; a sister, Virginia Greene of Castle Rock; brother, Martin of Amboy; sisters, Donna Curtis and Pamela Powers of Olympia and Carla Amon of Lakewood; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and six foster children. He was a devoted and loving husband, Dad, Grandpa and brother--as well as a treasured friend to many. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Curtis and Ada Northcott, step-father, Jay Northcott and his beloved niece, Lesley Hash. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, family gatherings, fishing, photography, boating and water skiing, racquetball, woodworking, reading and traveling. He was a wonderful storyteller and gifted writer. He loved camping, hiking and the forests, mountain and ocean beaches. He had much love and admiration for all of God's creatures, great and small. He was a member of the Cathlamet Congregational United Church of Christ and a member of the Rotary. A memorial service celebrating his life was held at the Congregational Church in Cathlamet with Rev. Jan Van Pelt, Rev. Rick Green and Rev. Ron Greene officiating. Dowling Funeral Home was in charge. Burial place unknown 17 Mar 1938-24 Sep 2001 (As transcribed by the Wahkiakum County Historical Society 2006 from original newspaper collection.)