Michael Curtis

Kindness, integrity, and intelligence were the hallmarks of Michael Curtis, a Vietnam veteran who passed away from the cancerous effects of Monsanto's
Agent Orange.

Born in the South, his parents were dedicated educators, who raised their
children in multiple parts of this country. Their work took the entire family to
what was then known as East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. This was Michael's
senior year where he completed high school through correspondences courses.
After graduation, he headed off on adventure driving through India, across
Europe, ultimately returning to the USA to commence his college career.

Intrigued by the Marines, he took time from his studies for more adventure,
ultimately serving as a radio tech with them in Vietnam. This was followed by
becoming a peace officer under several police jurisdictions. He completed his
college studies earning a degree in Forestry, though he continued his law
enforcement career ultimately serving his community as police chief, and later
serving his state as security officer for criminal data under Law Enforcement
Data Systems.

After his children were raised, he met Donna on a hike sponsored by Friends of
the Columbia Gorge. The next 20 years they explored all avenues of life initially
pursuing their common love of nature and the outdoors by hiking, backpacking,
staying in fire lookouts, volunteering as ski patrollers with Mount Hood Ski

Patrol and many search & rescue efforts. At the time of his death they’d been
married for 17 years.

In 2009, he left many of his dreams behind in order to make healing a priority.
Though given only a few months to live after his diagnosis, Michael, along with
Donna, committed themselves to consistent self-education, embracing holistic
nutrition free of sugar and processed foods, reducing toxins, and working with
devoted VA staff, as well as adding naturopaths, Chinese Medicine
acupuncturists, Ayurvedic practitioners, and network chiropractics. He was a
steadfast Friend of Bill W. These efforts took him from a few months to more
than nine years to continue sharing his love with those around him, read several
books a week (he loved Westerns and Sci Fi), and rejoin the radio world as a
Ham Radio Technician. In the words of St. Augustine, he 'took care of his body
as if he was going to live forever; and took care of his soul as if he were going to
die tomorrow," creating a new, perhaps very small but attainable dream every
day. He embraced joy no matter the size or scope expending energy only on
what was possible and attainable, not wasting precious time on doom.

He served without the need to raise his voice as he seemed to always be at
peace. Guided by the power of his faith, he is remembered as sensible, calm,
always thoughtful and as a strong but quiet leader with an unflappable cheerful
outlook on life.

Family mattered greatly to him; he is well loved by two sons, a daughter, and
three stepsons. Survivors at the time of his death along with Donna included
son James and his then-wife Peggy of Sweet Home, Oregon and grandchildren
Marshall, Laurel, Soriah, Stewart, Moira, Leif and Everleigh; son Stephen of
Anchorage, Alaska; daughter Kailea, her husband Edward of Fairfax, Virginia
and grandchildren Olivia and Isabella; brother Robin, his wife Wanda of
Tuscaloosa, Alabama; brother Chip, his wife Lora now in Nevada; stepson
David, his then-wife Alicia of Sheridan, Oregon and children Tyler and Keira;
stepson Wayne, his wife Stephanie of Newberg, Oregon and their children Rilee
and Geoffrey; and stepson Ryan (Donna’s son) of Portland, Oregon. Peggy
summed it up for everyone, "...we all love that guy so much.”

Grandson Stewart died last year in a fatal motorcycle crash; our hearts embrace
Stewart and fond memories of him at this time as well.

Rather than traditional burial or cremation, Michael's body underwent alkaline
hydrolysis, or green cremation, which neutralizes drugs used in comfort care
and is free of the toxins of embalming and the air pollution associated with
cremation; the result is sparkling white 'ashes'. Learn more: https://
www.rosecityfuneralhome.com/green-burial
To maintain opportunities to research Michael's DNA and learn more about
cancer and Agent Orange, postmortem DNA was preserved; Learn more: http://
www.dnalegacy.com/

Donations in Michael’s memory may be made to
Friends of the Columbia Gorge:
https://gorgefriends.donorsupport.co/page/michaelcurtis
Mt. Hood Ski Patrol
https://mthoodskipatrol.org/www/pmwiki.php/Main/
Donate#:~:text=Use%20a%20credit%20card%20or,Box%204384%20Portland
%2C%20OR%2097208

The Grotto
https://thegrotto.org/donations/single-financial-gift/