Robert Curtis

Robert “Bob” Stanley Curtis, age 94, of Holland, died Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at Holland Hospital.

Robert was born in New London, CT on May 17, 1919 to the late Stanley and Lena (Tiesinga) Curtis. In 1922 the Curtis family moved back to Holland. Bob graduated from Holland High School in 1937, from Hope College in 1941 with an A.B., and in 1946 from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, specializing in aeronautics. He moved to Santa Monica, CA, where he became a stress analyst for Northrop Aircraft and then an aeronautical engineer for McDonnell Douglas. Robert moved back to Holland in the 1970's and worked for a company in Wyoming, MI, that made gas tanks for trucks. During his retirement years he was a seasonal employee for Eldean Shipyards in Holland. Robert was a member of First Reformed Church in Holland, the Holland Experimental Aircraft (Dutch Pilots) Club, the local Coast Guard Auxiliary, Tulip City Gem and Mineral Club (lifetime honoree) and Holland Area Historical Society. He was a donor to the Joint Archives of Holland and a weekly visitor to Herrick District Library. Robert “Bob” Stanley Curtis was a loving son, brother, uncle, aeronautical engineer, pilot, sailor, model builder (boats and airplanes), wood carver, double cancer survivor, rockhound, world traveler, “running board rider” and airplane theme movie watcher.

Robert Stanley Curtis was preceded in death by his parents, Lena (Tiesinga) and Stanley Curtis, sister-Caryl (Curtis, Ewart) Van Houten, brothers-in-law Harold Dykema, Jack Ewart, Art Van Houten and friend, Betty Cook; living relatives: sister-Dorothy Dykema,(St. Charles, MI), nieces & nephews-Nancy (Dykema) Danburg (Rik-Avon, OH), Brian Dykema (Grandville,MI), Mark Dykema (St. Charles, MI), Claire Ewart (Tom Herr-Ft. Wayne, IN), Gwen (Ewart) Thomas (Bob-Los Angeles,CA), Jules Ewart (Cindy-Marion, IN)

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 11:00 am at First Reformed Church, Holland, MI. Officiating will be the Dr. Rev. Dan Gillett. Visitation will be from 10-11 prior to the service. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to your local Coast Guard Auxiliary. Arrangements are by the Dykstra Funeral Homes Inc, 29 East 9th Street. For more information please visit www.dykstrafuneralhome.com