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Tribute Wall
In Memory of
Richard T. "Rich" Curtis
1955 - 2024
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Haoxuan Ma '19 lit a candle
Friday, September 6, 2024
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I am genuinely sorry and shocked to learn about Prof. Curtis' passing. I was honored to serve as his TA from 2018 to 2019, and he has been one of my dearest mentors at Cornell. I could not have learned that much about business and finance without his rigorous and caring approach to teaching, and I will never forget his kindness, dedication, and passion. My deepest condolences to his family, and may he forever rest in peace!
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Christopher Lorefice posted a condolence
Saturday, August 31, 2024
I was very sorry to hear about Rich's passing, as I had hoped to reconnect with him when in the Ithaca area next. I worked for him as a TA the first year that he taught AEM 324, in 1999, and I can remember the passion he put into his work and the effort he made to know the names of each student in the entire class! I will miss him.
Chris Lorefice '99
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Amaresh posted a condolence
Sunday, July 28, 2024
I was completely shocked to hear about Curtis's passing. I had known him for many years, and our long, late-night conversations are some of my most cherished memories. Curtis was not only a great person but also incredibly humble and kind-hearted. During this painful time, I pray that God gives his family the strength to endure and find some comfort in the love and memories shared. Rest in peace, Curtis. You will be deeply missed.
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Ariana posted a condolence
Monday, July 22, 2024
I had the wonderful privilege of being Professor Curtis’s student for a semester and then his TA for 2 years. He was an amazing mentor and it was such an honor to learn from him. His passion for his work and for teaching could be felt by everyone around him. My deepest condolences to the family of Rich Curtis.
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Daniel Traas posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Professor Curtis had a major impact on my short stint as an exchange student in Cornell. His energy, enthusiasm and dedication to his job were inspiring and every class was an incredible opportunity to learn. My condolences to Rich’s loved ones, may he rest in peace.
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Alex Kushnir '06 posted a condolence
Monday, July 15, 2024
Professor Curtis left an indelible impression on me - I was his student and a teaching assistant for his classes. Professor Curtis was able to mix in humor and humanity while teaching his finance classes. He also did this while holding a high standard for all that he came across. I remember him working hard to learn the names of all his students in a semester – Finance 101 probably had close to 100 at the time. He put the work in and did it to respect all his students. Prof. Rich will be missed by all.
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Ruth lit a candle
Monday, July 15, 2024
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I had the great privilege of being one of Rich's students and he was an excellent teacher. His knowledge and ability to make the subject matter relative with humor and wit was very much appreciated. Rich will be truly missed by all who got to know him. May your memories provide you with comfort now and always.
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Yomi Dada lit a candle
Monday, July 15, 2024
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May God comfort the family and loves ones of Professor. Richard T. Curtis. May his memorial be for a blessing.
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Zenith Han lit a candle
Monday, July 15, 2024
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May you rest in peace, Professor Curtis. You were a knowledgeable teacher and a remarkable mentor. It was a great privilege to be your student and TA at Cornell. Thank you for the sweet moments, like the candies you brought for students at every prelim, magic tricks on the last day of class, and the end-of semester dinner with TAs.
Professor Curtis's dedication to teaching and his supportive nature left a lasting impact on all of us. He will be greatly missed. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time.
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Ren Chen posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
May you rest in peace. Thanks for everything you have done for your students at Cornell.
Professor Curtis was a great mentor and teacher who always went out of his way to help those around him.
I will fondly remember TAing for our exam nights thanks to Professor Curtis's efforts to make it worthwhile for us.
He will surely be missed.
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Peter Galbo pledged to donate to St. Rita School
Monday, July 8, 2024
In loving memory of Rich, a wonderful professor and a terrific ballroom dancer
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Michelle Cranston lit a candle
Monday, June 24, 2024
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Condolences to Rich's family on their loss. Rich was truly a good, decent and kind man. He will be missed.
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Brigid O'Hara posted a condolence
Thursday, June 20, 2024
I have fond memories at St. Thomas The Apostle School of Rich as we were all growing up. He was a true gentleman, even in Grammar school - and so very bright!
God Bless The Curtis Family at this sad time. May he Rest in Peace.
-Brigid Sullivan O'Hara STA '69
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Andrew P. Schrichte lit a candle
Thursday, June 20, 2024
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May you rest in peace, Rich. You will be missed at Cornell and among your thousands of former students.
Rich / Professor Curtis was the most important professor/lecturer in the Dyson School at Cornell. His course “Finance” was known among all the undergraduate business school students (and beyond) as the toughest, most essential, and most helpful business school course. On top of that, Prof. Curtis went far beyond what any other professor did to engage, help, and get to know students. Although, in a class with hundreds of students, there are bound to be some who experienced Curtis’s tough love, these same students shared their appreciation in years later for what they learned from those moments and/or the rigorous coursework.
I am still honored, over a decade later, Professor Curtis selected me as one of his Teaching Assistants. It was a blessing and a privilege to work as his TA for three semesters. His finance knowledge was thorough and expansive, so I found myself learning more from him, year after year.
After learning Prof. Curtis has moved on from this life, I shared the sad news with dozens of Dyson School and other Cornell former classmates, many of whom I haven’t connected with since our undergraduate years. It was no surprise when I received quick responses back from nearly everyone, all expressing how great he was, they enjoyed and are thankful for his course (even if they didn’t do as well), he was a great guy, and will be missed.
Katie and I will surely miss running into him in collegetown on reunion weekends. And if we’re lucky enough to see you when our time comes, Professor Curtis, we still owe you that special finders fee!
Andrew P. Schrichte
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Kim Nicholson posted a condolence
Thursday, June 20, 2024
My deepest condolences to everyone. I met Rich in 1989 (pre-internet, pre-smart phones) when I arrived at Cornell for grad school. We became fast friends and one of the things that impressed me was how he always took the time to chat with nearly everyone who crossed his paths on a given day; waitstaff, grocery clerks, professors, complete strangers... I realized quickly that I’d better schedule extra time for these conversations because the simple act of stopping for gas meant Rich’s asking the person at the pump for the latest score on “the game” (whatever game). That was his on-ramp. That was his entry to inquire how that person’s afternoon was going, find one common thing to chat about and listen, listen, listen. By the time the tank was full, goodbyes were being exchanged in a way that revealed the connection that could have been lost but wasn’t. And heaven help us should we encounter that same person a couple months later. Rich would pick up conversation right where it had left off, astonishing the recipient which in turn, always gave Rich the chance to break out into that wide, infectious smile. He was a true friend with a deep commitment to his faith, his profession, his community and to his family. We’ve lost a gem and how fortunate I feel to have known him.
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Steve posted a condolence
Thursday, June 20, 2024
So sorry to hear of Rich's passing. He will be greatly missed here at Cornell University. I had the pleasure of working with Rich and he surely was one of the nice guys. I also had the please of watching him cut-a-rug on the dance floor. He was a true talent, and all around great guy. Sorry for your loss.
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John Chiavetta posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Dear Bob, Kathy, Lori Beth & Michael,
Mary and I were so sorry to hear about Rich passing away. We had been praying to Jesus for him every day since we first heard about his illness. We are continuing to pray for you and your family at this difficult time. There are many awesome memories to treasure of growing up with you guys, going on many vacations together, and just being family together. Our hearts are heavy and with you at this difficult time. We think of the words from the gospel of John that simply say “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) He knows and understands the pain of death as He did with Lazarus. But He alone gives us the hope of eternal life in His resurrection. We pray the words of the apostle Paul over you from 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Love Cousins John & Mary Chiavetta
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Mary Ellen Datta posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Rich was a mentor, teacher, role model to All. His great smile was contagious and unforgettable; an inspiration to everyone he met.
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Jen Williams lit a candle
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
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I worked with Rich Curtis at the Cornell University, Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management for 10 years as his Faculty Support Specialist. He cared a lot for his students, and it's very true that he would take time to memorize all of their names at the beginning of each semester. He was a very kind man who appreciated staff in addition to his students. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time.
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Debra Williams posted a condolence
Monday, June 17, 2024
I met Rich around 2016, maybe a little earlier. I was a new dancer and had only been dancing a couple years. I would go to the dances trying to learn every one of the dances all at once and of course being a newbie wasn't proficient at any of them. That did not matter to Rich. He always said I was "good enough" to be on the dance floor. He always encouraged me and made a special effort to dance with me at each dance. That went a long way to build a little bit of confidence to continue learning and to think that maybe someday i could be a better dancer. While dancing, he always made his partners feel like that dance was really good, even if it wasn't and looked passed the mistakes and encouraged me to laugh at them instead of being embarassed by them. He always was smiling and happy through all of the dances no matter who he was dancing with and no matter how good (or not) the dance actually was. I got to know Rich through the years. He was the kindest most generous guy. He took the time to listen to people and get to know them & to care about them. I know he loved his family so much and with his passing i am happy he can be reunited with them and to be able to dance unencumbered. I will really miss Rich, he is one of the good guys and the world will be at a loss without him in it.
My Deepest Sympathies
Debra Williams
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Terri Husted posted a condolence
Monday, June 17, 2024
I met Rich around the mid 90's. He was the ultimate great dance teacher who taught so many of us how to dance. He always shared his love of dancing with patience and a smile. He was funny and witty. As a helper to one of his dance workshops in Rochester, once I was fortunate to meet his parents and his nephews. Rich loved dancing, teaching at Cornell, watching sports, eating pizza with pineapples, but most of all he deeply loved his family. He was dedicated to his faith because he lived by his faith. Even though we were not always in the same town, I am blessed that he maintained contact with me and was able to share the ups and downs of his disease. Rich was truly the embodiment of grace, kindness, and honesty. He was one of the greatest friends I've ever had and I'll never forget him. Love and prayers to his family.
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Anne Foery Schoen posted a condolence
Friday, June 14, 2024
Bob and Kathy,
I’m so very sorry to hear about Rich’s passing.
He was such a kind and respectful man, and definitely dedicated to his faith. I had many conversations with him in the Christ the King parking lot.
He certainly loved you all very much.
I’m sure he’s enjoying life in heaven with your parents and our Heavenly Father.
You are in my thoughts and prayers,
Anne Foery Schoen
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The family of Richard T. Curtis uploaded a photo
Friday, June 14, 2024
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A Memorial Tree was planted for Richard Curtis
Friday, June 14, 2024
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Paul W. Harris Funeral Home
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