SOUTHBURY- John Robert Curtis, Jr. passed suddenly at the Waterbury Hospital, October 24, 2008, due to multiple medical issues. He was preceded by his wife, Christine von Goeben Curtis, wife of 51 years.

Born in Dallas, Texas, November 8, 1929, John advanced to earning a B.A. degree in Government from George Washington University and a M.A. in Advanced Foreign Studies from Johns-Hopkins University. He met his wife Christine in Vienna, Austria, as a Fulbright Scholar, while both were working for the CIA during the allied occupation of Vienna following WW2.

All in all, he managed a twenty-year career with the Department of State in various positions: Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Foreign Service Reserve Officer-five-year assignment in Berlin, Germany, responsible as principle officer on board of the multi-billion dollar Berlin Stockpile operation and Berlin Airlift Committee, as well as being the Economic officer in charge of Berlin transport access matters. Following this he returned to the U.S. and served as the Executive Secretary of the Policy Planning Council. He also served in the Korean Conflict as lead Air Force intelligence officer designing escape and evasion routes. He left the Air Force as a Captain in the Air Force Reserve.

In 1969, he left the government and resided in Spain and Andorra for 20 years, running a real estate operation and serving on a governing board of a large housing estate near Barcelona. In 1989, he and Christine returned to reside in Heritage Village, Southbury, Ct., where he assisted in the creation of the village's Genealogy and Mac Computer clubs, serving as president and vice president, respectively. Following Chris's death, he moved into Pomperaug Woods. Throughout this period, he and Chris traveled the world extensively.

John was known for his cooking, diverse knowledge of the arts and world affairs. He was proud of completing and publishing his two-volume Memoirs, yet he was never able to complete his goal of finishing his cookbook of eclectic recipes.

A charitable and good natured soul, John is sorely missed by friends throughout the world.

He is survived by sons Carl Gavin, Allen Richard, Robert Frederick, and grandson Andrew Richard.

Cemetery: Washington Green Cemetery

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Services: A grave side service will be held Wednesday, October 29, 1 p.m. at the Washington Green Cemetery, adjacent to Saint John's Episcopal Church in Washington Depot, Ct.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.