Henry Goodman Curtis

April 26, 1926 — July 19, 2013

Henry G. Curtis died July 19 in Vancouver, Wash. surrounded by his loving children and his loving dog, Fabio.

He was born April 26, 1926 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He spent his childhood in southern Idaho, graduating from Boise High School in 1944. He enlisted in the Navy in the fall of 1943 and participated in officer training and engineering programs at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1946.

He was on active duty through 1947. He studied English at the University of Idaho, where he met his future wife, Lynette Davis. They were married after graduation in 1948.

After college, they lived in Missoula, Mont., and various Northwest cities to which his work as a news reporter took them. As a Naval Reservist, he went to China during the Korean War. His three children were born in Twin Falls, Idaho, Bremerton, Wash., and Seattle, Wash. The family lived in Boise, Idaho from 1956 to 1968. He worked as the news director of KBOI TV/radio, and later had a public relations business of his own.

He obtained a pilot license and was able to combine his career and his love of flying. In 1968 he became manager of the Northwest Public Power Association in Vancouver. He and Lynn developed an interest in sailing and moved to San Juan Island in 1977 after his semi-retirement. There they were active in community affairs, especially the San Juan Community Theater, of which he wrote a history. They enjoyed cruising British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast and throughout Puget Sound. They traveled widely, visiting China in 1980, the Soviet Union, Egypt, Costa Rica, Mexico, and several other parts of the world.

Hank and Lynn returned to Vancouver in 2003. He was active in the Democratic Forum and wrote columns for the Villager, his community newsletter, and they continued to travel, often with the Fairway Village Travel Club. Lynn passed away in Oct., 2011. His sweet dog Fabio kept him company after her death.

Survivors include his daughter Donnelyn (Charles Drewes) of Reno, Nev.; son Geoffrey (Kimm) of White Salmon; daughter Nancy of Olympia; grandchildren Ellen Drewes in San Francisco, Bowen Drewes (Kathy) of Reno, and Will Drewes, in San Francisco.

A celebration of his life will be held at the Fairway Village clubhouse, Aug. 24, at 4 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Clark County Historical Museum.

— Family of Henry Curtis