Arthur Edward Curtis

May 11, 1934 -

Jun 8, 2024

The Reverend Arthur Edward Curtis, Minister Emeritus of the Anchorage, Alaska, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, where he served from 1989 to 2001, died at Cedar Crest Alzheimer's Special Care Center in Tualatin, Ore.

Born on May 11, 1934, in Oneonta, N.Y., to Catharine Simon Curtis and Elbert Lewis Beers Curtis, Art grew up in a family that encouraged curiosity about both human and natural worlds and fostered a strong love of learning. He traveled widely, participated in cultural immersion programs in Europe and the Middle East, and taught for three years at the International College in Beirut, Lebanon. After Beirut, he pursued studies in modern European history and taught college level courses for 12 years.

From 1972 to 1979, he served as the first executive director of the Kentucky Humanities Council. Then followed his most rewarding career change: In mid life he became an accredited Unitarian Universalist minister and served in fellowships in Alabama, Idaho, Saskatchewan and, lastly, in Anchorage. Art was loved by all, friends and family alike, who valued his qualities of attentiveness to others, his generosity, kindness and courtliness, and his playfulness and a radiant smile that lit up his whole being.

Art is deeply missed by his wife, Susan Lyden; sister, Emily Mandelbaum; nieces, Ruth and Audrey Mandelbaum, and Erica and Brenda Curtis; nephew, Rodney Curtis; five grandnephews; two grandnieces; as well as three first cousins, Jim, Anne and Tom Conway. He was predeceased by his brother Charles Curtis.