George Andrew Curtis, 78

George Andrew Curtis, 78, of Eureka passed away on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013. 

He was born Nov. 25, 1934, in Kellogg, Minn. 

He graduated from high school in Red Wing, Minn. In high school he met the love of his life, Eveline “Lee” (Bird) Curtis; and best friends, Nancy, Lee’s sister, and husband Dick Deden. They married on Sept. 1, 1953. 

Growing up in the Depression, George helped in providing for his family at a very young age by hunting and fishing. George had an amazing work ethic and a great admiration for nature and passion for preserving it for its beauty and the sustenance it provided. 

George attended the University of Minnesota, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in forest management. George came to Montana as a forestry student during the summer of 1957 and loved it. In 1958, he graduated from college and moved to Troy as a junior forester. In 1962, he moved his family to the Eureka Ranger Station, to work in timber management. In the mid-1970s, George moved into fire control and retired in 1994 as the fire management officer. 

George was hard-working and a beloved coworker, boss, and friend to many. He was a pioneer in the use of prescribed fire in the Northern Rockies, and he mentored many people in its use. He worked with the Fire Lab in Missoula to develop a guideline for under burning in mixed conifer stands. He continued to serve as an advisor after he retired. Much of the work he did or started helped to protect the local forest and homeowners from wild land fires. He co-authored a published paper regarding prescribed burns. His innovation won him an award and a trip to Washington, D.C., for the award ceremony. 

He was deeply rooted in the community and the forests that he so dearly loved. His favorite hunting area was in Sula in the Bitterroot. George’s love of the forests can be seen around the area in work projects. 

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, four brothers, three sisters, and son Scott Curtis. 

He is survived by his wife, Eveline; sisters, Delores (Curtis) Baum and Darlene (Curtis) Jablonske of Minnesota; children, Candace Denegal, Ann Hull and Paul Curtis, of Maple Valley, Wash., and Keith Curtis of Anchorage, Alaska; 13 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. 

You are invited to a celebration of life that will be held in Eureka for all to participate in true George Curtis style, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, at the First Baptist Church.