To The (We will miss you) Curtmudgeon

[RumTumTugger]

I cannot say it better then Ray Boltz said in his song Thank you (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFrdJ2V3r7Y). About what it means to me to have known Curt.

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.
(Chorus "Thank You" by Ray Boltz")

:sad:

[Crow]

Missing you.

Yeah, we all have to leave sometime.

But you left far too soon.

[Sparko]

I am really going to miss you Curt! You were one of the people that I looked up to as an example of Christ. Keep the bacon sizzling in heaven for us!

Here are a couple of photos from the theologyweb.com convention in August. Erinmist (Curt's sister) gave us permission to post photos of him, and the other people in the photos below also have given me permission so here you go...

71027
RumTumTugger and Curt


71028
Dizzle and Curt in his full regalia.
(note: no, Dee Dee isn't short, she is 5'-8")

[Sinclair]

Rest in peace Curt! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkLXOWimMY8)

[Pilgrim]

Pie Jesu Domine,
dona eis requiem.
Pie Jesu Domine,
dona eis requiem sempiternam.

[Teluog]

We need more people like Curt on this planet.

[One Bad Pig]

Go with God, Curt. :candle: I'll miss you and your contributions here.

[rogue06]

I still can't believe he's gone. I know this sounds incredibly selfish but God has plenty of saints in heaven, why couldn't He leave this one with us for a little while longer? *Sigh*

[Littlejoe9763]

With the loss of Curt, the Tweb community is much poorer today. Curt was really (as so many have already said) a great encourager of the brethren (and sisters). When I lost my job, Curt was one of the 1st to offer me encouragement and hope. giving helpful pointers and advice. We are all much richer for having known Curt.

Via con Dios Curt!

LJ

[Abigail]

Psalm 84:12 'O Lord of Hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in Thee!'

Curtmudgeon, you were a great poster and I will miss your posts here at TWeb.

Abigail

[Sparko]

one of the things I (we all) loved about Curt was his silly songs.

I present a few of them here:

---
Almost every day during the hunting season you see at least one item in the newspapers about somebody who has shot somebody else, under the impression that he was a deer with a red hat, perhaps. Maybe a large flesh-colored squirrel. At any rate, it seems to me that this marks an encouraging new trend in the field of blood sports, and deserves a new type of hunting song which I present herewith.

I always will remember,
'Twas a year ago November,
Trout went out to hunt some deer
On a morning bright and clear.
He went and shot the maximum the game laws would allow:
Two game wardens, seven hunters, and a cow.

Trout was in no mood to trifle,
He took down his trusty rifle
And went out to stalk his prey.
What a haul he made that day!
He tied them to his fender, and he drove them home somehow:
Two game wardens, seven hunters, and a cow.

The law was very firm, it
Took away his permit,
The worst punishment he ever endured.
It turned out there was a reason,
Cows were out of season,
And one of the hunters wasn't insured.

People ask him how he does it,
And he says "There's nothin' to it,
You just stand there lookin' cute,
And when something moves, you shoot!"
And there's ten stuffed heads in Trout's trophy room right now:
Two game wardens, seven hunters, and a pure-bred Guernsey cow.

The (slight liberties were taken, but no actual musical notes were harmed during this production) Curtmudgeon


---
Truth to tell, the one time I got very close to literally getting my mouth washed out with soap was the very same kind of thing. Remember "The Name Game"?? Yeah,

Jack, Jack, bo-back,
Banana-fana fo-fack
Fee-fi-mo-mack
Jack!

that "Name Game." Well, my sister, being 18 months older than I and in a "more mature" level at school (I can't remember how old we were, but I couldn't have been more than 6 or 8), challenged me one day when we were at our grandparents' house (as we always were after school, Mom being a divorced working mother) to sing it with the word 'truck' for the "name". Yep, Grandmother went ballistic and if I hadn't been so completely and obviously clueless about what I had done wrong I would have been tasting Ivory for the rest of the day.

It was years before I found out why ...

The (I still hate that song to this very day) Curtmudgeon

----


[No, it isn't the seagulls you're hearing...]

Cap'n Sparko commandeered half the Spanish fleet,
A dozen rigs and fishing gigs to make the day complete,
Then ashore to a dusty tavern, with his weary, thirsty crew,
Saying, "Landlord, throw away the cork -- we'll likely have a few!"

[Chorus:]
Singing, we're all here to drink the whiskey1,
We're all here for nothing less.
Raise a glass and toast your neighbor,
Turn and toast the rest!
For it's one, two, three rounds --
We're hellish glad we're here!
We're here to drink the whiskey1 --
And then we'll drink the beer!

The (sorry, Cap'n, no rum in this song) Curtmudgeon

1 Or whisky, if you're in Johnny's cabin.

[Bill the Cat]

Joh 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,
Joh 11:26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"


I know Curt's answer :yes:

[Trout]

I still laugh about that song Curt wrote, what a precious and wonderful gift he was to us.

[mossrose]

Mudgie was my friend. I will miss him terribly.

But, he's Home, and healthy, and singing songs of praise to the Lord! And with Aura!

I can't begrudge him that........

Love you, Mudgie. See you in the Morning.........

[Teallaura]

"I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you really knew Me, you would know the Father as well. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him." John 14:6-7

"And I - in righteousness I will see Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness." Psalm 17:15

I don't have anything profound - or useful - to say. Those verses are the ones that come most strongly to my mind - the latter being my favorite verse. Curt would be the one to decide to go on ahead - a man with such patience and wisdom of course he also had that great yearning to see the Lord face to face.

I really glad I got to meet him in person - my life is richer for having known him and a little emptier for his loss.

Oh great, now look what you made me do! - I got tears all over my Bible!


Teallaura (overusing dashes as much as Curt overused parenthesis) Nighthawk

[Michelle]

I'm so glad I got to know Curt. He was a kind and gentle person who was very generous with his time and possessions. I, too, got to meet him in person this past summer. What a treat that was! He will continue to be an inspiration in my life, even though he has graduated to Glory. I'll miss him terribly, and look forward to the day when we will see him again.


Mrs. (he managed to make me feel short) MichelleMu

[Lizard]

Curt was such a stellar example of Christian Character. And he was a good friend.

He was one of the few TWebers who could make me laugh as well as he could made me think. He will be missed.

[princesa]

Every once in a while we encounter someone who, by the very essence of their kind character, would disarm even the most jaded and cynical of people. Not only did he have a brilliant knowledge of God’s word but he also expressed his conviction of that knowledge with his kind and charismatic nature. You felt God’s spirit through his words. There are many intellectuals that know scripture, but hemade you feel that he not only knew God’s word, but that he lived them

[erinmist]

[QUOTE] Truth to tell, the one time I got very close to literally getting my mouth washed out with soap was the very same kind of thing. Remember "The Name Game"?? Yeah,

Jack, Jack, bo-back,
Banana-fana fo-fack
Fee-fi-mo-mack
Jack!

that "Name Game." Well, my sister, being 18 months older than I and in a "more mature" level at school (I can't remember how old we were, but I couldn't have been more than 6 or 8), challenged me one day when we were at our grandparents' house (as we always were after school, Mom being a divorced working mother) to sing it with the word 'truck' for the "name". Yep, Grandmother went ballistic and if I hadn't been so completely and obviously clueless about what I had done wrong I would have been tasting Ivory for the rest of the day.

It was years before I found out why ...

The (I still hate that song to this very day) Curtmudgeon [quote]

OK - so his memory isn't as photographic as we thought - the name was CHUCK - not TRUCK. He's so silly!

Hey - I proudly wear the tag "black sheep of the family". Every family needs one if for no other reason than to have a project. Curt was sooooo good at projects!

and the look on grandma's face was priceless!!!!! What he didn't relate was the fact that grandpa (our precious Southern Baptist minister - old school - very straight laced grandpa) was in the background about to bust a gut over the innocent gaff.

[erinmist]

Joh 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,
Joh 11:26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"


I know Curt's answer :yes:

AMEN AND AMEN!!!!!!!!!

[erinmist]

Mudgie was my friend. I will miss him terribly.

But, he's Home, and healthy, and singing songs of praise to the Lord! And with Aura!

I can't begrudge him that........

Love you, Mudgie. See you in the Morning.........

How blessed is Curt to have such friends. He spoke so lovingly of you when we were misunderstanding each other's posts regarding Aura's birth and subsequent brain damage. And your precious cards to Heather and me are so precious. Love you Mossrose - my sister in Christ and newly found friend.

[mossrose]

How blessed is Curt to have such friends. He spoke so lovingly of you when we were misunderstanding each other's posts regarding Aura's birth and subsequent brain damage. And your precious cards to Heather and me are so precious. Love you Mossrose - my sister in Christ and newly found friend.
:huggy:

I am honoured to have known him. And I am honoured to call you my friend and my sister. And I look forward to meeting YOU some day!

[erinmist]

Every once in a while we encounter someone who, by the very essence of their kind character, would disarm even the most jaded and cynical of people. Not only did he have a brilliant knowledge of God’s word but he also expressed his conviction of that knowledge with his kind and charismatic nature. You felt God’s spirit through his words. There are many intellectuals that know scripture, but hemade you feel that he not only knew God’s word, but that he lived them

As everyone who has encountered Curt knows, he was a brilliant intellectual. I'm so glad that so many have seen that he was also a brilliant example of what unconditional love truly is. As you said, he not only knew God's word. Curt deeply, completely believed in the inerrant Word. His greatest joy in life was sharing that love. He had an amazing way of knowing when to quote scripture, and when it was enough to just live it.

[erinmist]

:huggy:

I am honoured to have known him. And I am honoured to call you my friend and my sister. And I look forward to meeting YOU some day!

It's a date! :-D

[erinmist]

Growing up with only one sibling was a challenge. As in any family we went through those early years hating each other and plotting the other's demise. As young adults, we learned that we actually had more in common than we had realized. And then one day it happened - we became FRIENDS.

As the years passed, and life played its games in our lives, we found that we not only appreciated each other, but actually needed each other. He was there as I went through my own personal hell in the 90s. I was blessed to be there as he went through his in the early 2000s.

He was my best "date" after my divorce in 1999. He has been my best friend - my confidante - my counsellor, He was a father to my daughter when her own father turned his back on her. He adored her so deeply.

In this earthly life, we rarely are blessed with even a short visit from such a soul as Curt. I had a life with him - 52 1/2 years. He was my knight in shining armor, my minister.

It's so weird - so hard to express. My heart is truly broken at his passing. And yet it is so full of love, gratitude, laughter, blessing from his visit on this earth. I am honored and blessed to share him with so many who loved him so well. He opened hearts to the Kingdom of God, he shared God's love through experiences that could have come from a fictional novel. He never met a stranger. He was always encouraging, loving, supportive. He prayed for everyone he knew - and many he did not.

There is a phrase "no good deed goes unpunished". Well, bring on the punishment if that is true. For Curt was nothing if not a good deed. His tender heart and compassionate soul can never be dismissed or forgotten.

Thank you all, my dear sisters and brothers in Christ. As surely as our Lord lives, so does Curt. He is hidden from us but for a short while, and we will be reunited with him in Glory. And oh the stories we will share!

[mossrose]

erin, what a precious thing for you to share your memories of growing up with Curt with us here!

Every post shows us a little bit more of who Curt was. Thank you!

[dizzle]

Teal I am so glad you were there to meet him too.

[Eru Ilúvatar]

I never knew how tall Curt was until people started posting pics. He was a formidable man, in every aspect of his life. We're all going to miss him.

[jpholding]

I never knew how tall Curt was until people started posting pics.

Oh yes. When we had him over to decorate the Christmas tree we left the upper part for him to do exclusively. :smile:

[Telleriab2]

Oh, goodness. I just found out about this!

My goodness, what happened?!

[lee_merrill]

That he might bring everything in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. (Eph 1:10)

For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be for ever blessed.
Alleluia!

Oh, blest communion! fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia!
--WILLIAM W. HOW

In the glorious company of the apostles, the goodly fellowship of the prophets, the noble army of martyrs, the holy Church throughout all the world is one. Therefore year by year let us reverently commemorate their names, remembering what they were, but steadfastly gazing at what they are. Their very words are still ringing in our ears: of some the beloved image too is full before us. Let us live as they would bid us, could they still speak: let us fulfill their known behests, following in their steps, filling up the works that they began, carrying on their hallowed offices, now bequeathed to our care; let us be like them in deadness to sin, and unceasing homage to our unseen Lord. As we grow holier, we grow nearer to them; to be like them is to be with them; even now they are not far from us, we know not how nigh.
--HENRY EDWARD MANNING

(from Joy and Strength, by Mary Wilder Tileston)

[Teluog]

Oh, goodness. I just found out about this!

My goodness, what happened?!

http://www.theologyweb.com/campus/showthread.php?t=133735

[Sparko]

Today at church me and the other communion servers had a prayer for Curt and his family. Also in my sunday school.

and during the service we were singing the song "Oh No, You Never Let Go" by Matt Redman and I teared up because it fit Curt and Dawn's family so well, how they remain strong through the tragedies they have faced recently.

Here are the lyrics:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Chorus:

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Chorus: (2x’s)

and here is the video from Matt Redman:

http://vodpod.com/watch/2245254-matt-redman-you-never-let-go

[Raphael]

:candle:

[Alien]

I see from his pictures he was a big man. I now learn from those that knew him well that that was true in more ways than height.

I exchanged a few posts with him once on the subject of James Joyce, from which I learned that he was a very erudite man. Other than that, I hardly knew him ... my loss, certainly.

My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

Tony

[RumTumTugger]

to coincide with the memorial his friends and family are having in Florida I will be opening my pal talk room tonight at 7pm EST that will be 4PM PST. for those across the pond that will be midnight or there abouts I'm afraid.

it is under the christian rooms heading and called Just fellowshipping my name is the same as here RumTumTugger so if you see me buzz me and I'll invite then you can put it in your favorites

[Sparko]

Here is Curt and some of the Tweb Guys during our "Guy Time" at the theologyweb convention back in August.

71108

[luv1another]

I was going through a few emails that curt and I exchanged during the time of my divorce and I really felt this piece of advice at the end would be something he would say to everyone here during this time not only to me during the difficult times I was going through.

"Take care, and keep your chin up! Remember, "All things -- all things -- work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."

[jpholding]

I'll post some narrative about the memorial service shortly....meanwhile here are jpgs of the order of service. As you can see, TWebber memories were on the list.

[jpholding]

Some narrative on the memorial....

Regrettably, Tampa rush hour traffic, and dark streets on Ehrlich Rd that made it hard to read address numbers, conspired to make the Holdings a little late. We walked in at the point of "Fond Remembrances."

This was something new for me -- people were invited to get up and share memories of their friendships with Curt. I decided to go ahead and raise my hand to come up. I talked about personal memories of visiting with Curt (the same things I mentioned on the other thread) and how well-regarded he was here at TWeb, and that everyone here would miss him. I mentioned how he composed his sig lines, his avatar selection (the Groucho Marx duck -- that drew some laughs), and how he piled in on the atheists with us in the Tekton section here.

Several folks who went up made gentle jokes about his height. I mentioned how when he decorated our Christmas tree with us, we saved the top for him. The pastor told a story of how someone was trying to fix a light in one of the meeting rooms, and had had to stand on a chair, but still couldn't fix it. Curt came over and told the man he'd take care of it, and he did -- just reached up and took care of it with no chair or anything. :hehe:

It was also mentioned that Curt's mother left lights in her house unfixed until Curt could come by and fix them, since he could reach them easily.

There was a very touching testimony from a fellow who had done lawn and garden work for Curt. Apparently at a time when he was down on his luck, Curt took him into his home as a guest and let him stay with him until he got back on his feet. He closed his testimony with a simple, heartfelt phrase, in a broken voice, that encapsulated all of it perfectly: "I'll miss him."

There were also stories told of how people reacted when Curt showed up in a kilt. The one that sticks out told of how one lady bluntly asked him "What are wearing under that?" To which Curt replied with a straight face, "Nothin'." :lol:

The "Comfort from God's Word" part of the service was an exposition of Ps. 23 that the pastor said Curt was very fond of. He went through the Psalm and explained it, and also how Curt embodied its teachings. The pastor noted that his last prayer with Curt the Sunday before had been when Curt asked him to pray for an atheist he was witnessing to online, perhaps here somewhere, but he wasn't sure.

I may remember more later -- usually my memories of events like these are generally fragmentary and elusive. I'll close for now by noting some of the arrangements. The memorial was held in the church's sanctuary, which was one of those types with no pews, but rather loose chairs that could be arranged as needed. At the front was a table with some flowers (not sure if they were the ones from TWeb? the card was obscured), a picture of Curt in younger days (his hair and beard were still black), what I assume was his Bible, and two of his Irish berets. Mrs H and I went up to greet Dawn afterwards as well.

I may remember more later.

[Sparko]

Thanks JP!

[Michelle]

I really appreciate this, JP

[Country Preacher]

Super. Wish I were there.

[mossrose]

Thank you, jp.

[Bill the Cat]

Thank you so much JP.

[RumTumTugger]

THank you JP.

[jpholding]

More that came back to me:

There was a contingent there of Curt's co-workers -- including one fellow who I'm guessing first hired or interviewed him. He was a somewhat shorter fellow, and he said that he and Curt saw eye to eye when Curt was sitting down. :lol: He said when Curt stood up, "he just kept going up" and he was thinking to himself, "How am I going to handle this guy?"

The pastor said something that we all here can relate to: He expressed admiration for Curt's extensive knowledge, which he attested was genuine knowledge obtained by hard work and not just "made up" as he went along. He also praised his humility, and said something like this (not a verbatim quote here):

"Some people are know-it-alls, but Curt truly knew it all, and he never acted like he did."

He also specifically praised him for his knowledge in teaching Sunday School classes.

Also, Curt had volunteered for the fall festival that Saturday after, he was going to help in one of the booths for children. I gather he played at active role in ministry at the church.

More bits and pieces. Maybe I'll have more later. My pleasure to do what I can. :smile:

[RBerman]

I am very sorry to hear that I'll have to wait for heaven to hear more of his wit and wisdom; I always looked forward to seeing what he had to say, so I can imagine how terribly he'll be missed by those who really knew him. I am glad that his time of suffering was relatively brief, not prolonged for days or weeks.

Although we've lost what was before
Forever will bring us the chance once more
And in that time we'll see what was meant to be
A special moment to cherish for all of our lives
And we'll know in time
Why we must say good-bye to find our road ahead
The Father will lead us on to a better place
And I'll meet you there someday

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

[headheart]

Thanks for being a friend, I look forward to finishing our conversation when the eternal winds come to take me home.

HH.

[NeilUnreal]

During the memorial time off, I wrote a poem about Aura Kay and Curt:

Later Flight
For Aura Kay and Curt

Born, disembarked, deplaned
In this strange land
You arrive with your return ticket
Already in hand

I stand watching for you
Holding up a sign
With your name, unneeded
(I’d know you anywhere)
The wide concourse beckons
But they’re calling your flight
With tears and waves
I see you through the gate

When you get there
Wait for me in the terminal
I will be on
A later flight



--Neil

[shunyadragon]

During the memorial time off, I wrote a poem about Aura Kay and Curt:

Later Flight
For Aura Kay and Curt

Born, disembarked, deplaned
In this strange land
You arrive with your return ticket
Already in hand

I stand watching for you
Holding up a sign
With your name, unneeded
(I’d know you anywhere)
The wide concourse beckons
But they’re calling your flight
With tears and waves
I see you through the gate

When you get there
Wait for me in the terminal
I will be on
A later flight



--Neil

Nice prose. I did not know Cort, nor exchanged posts with him, but still wish him well as the door from this world opened for him and he has taken flight to the next.

[Augustine2004]

The first I knew was when I saw the memoriam webpage yestermorn (Thursday).

Thoughts and reminiscences as I go through the ‘Serious News’ thread:

‘Nearer, My God, to thee.’

Every day the saints are that much closer to God.

‘Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day’ – 2 Corinthians 4:16

He once PMed me to argue against my contention that slavery wasn’t a pivotal factor in the leadup to the Northern Agression Against the South (commonly called the American Civil War), though it was certainly a major factor. I don’t know why he didn’t challenge in a public thread; perhaps the reason was to save me some embarrassment. Anyway, he didn’t change my view, and I doubt I changed his. Oh, well.


I never did get to know the Curtmudgeon well, though I did read all of the Aura Kay thread, but it seems from all those posts he would have been a gigantic friend in more than one way.


One of his (too-late) friends

[Vigilante]

Wow, just got the news when I tried to log on yesterday, was a bit shocking.
I've always enjoyed Curt's posts, I always read every word, seriously his intellect, responses, and humor, have been a cornerstone of my experience at Tweb. He is really a "big-hitter" in my mind and tweb won't be the same without his always witty insight and signature sign-offs.
We'll miss him down here, but I am jealous of him, he is now at absolute rest and peace with our savior. We'll be there soon!

[erinmist]

Is there any way I can get a copy of the picture that was up on TWeb yesterday - the one with Curt's face over the hillsides of Ireland? That was such a beautiful picture and I'd love to have a copy.

Thanks
Dawn

[Eru Ilúvatar]

Is there any way I can get a copy of the picture that was up on TWeb yesterday - the one with Curt's face over the hillsides of Ireland? That was such a beautiful picture and I'd love to have a copy.

Thanks
Dawn

For you, they'd find a way even if it meant recreating it. I'd get in contact with scirisme or dizzle.

[mossrose]

Actually, boom is the one who created the memorial page, to my knowledge.

I will let him know, erin.

[yxboom]

Is there any way I can get a copy of the picture that was up on TWeb yesterday - the one with Curt's face over the hillsides of Ireland? That was such a beautiful picture and I'd love to have a copy.

Thanks
Dawn

http://www.theologyweb.com/curtmmemorial/

[D. Medvedev Fan]

I did not realize that Curt something who died was the Curtmudgeon. I will miss you. I don't remember much of what else he wrote, but I remember how he took time to read and post replies in the prayer request area. I think he really loved people.

The (I will always remember how he signed his posts) D. Medvedev Fan/Ana/Joan

[erinmist]

During the memorial time off, I wrote a poem about Aura Kay and Curt:

Later Flight
For Aura Kay and Curt

Born, disembarked, deplaned
In this strange land
You arrive with your return ticket
Already in hand

I stand watching for you
Holding up a sign
With your name, unneeded
(I’d know you anywhere)
The wide concourse beckons
But they’re calling your flight
With tears and waves
I see you through the gate

When you get there
Wait for me in the terminal
I will be on
A later flight



--Neil

Neil, this is beautiful. I will share it with our family. Thank you so much.

Dawn

[NeilUnreal]

Neil, this is beautiful. I will share it with our family. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

-Neil

[disciple100]

I first realized that Curt was gone when I saw the post in the honor's hall about his final post.

I did not know what to think. I was shocked.

I enjoyed his posts, both insightful and amusing. And the last one he made to me, comforting. I have been going through a rough time and I shared in great length in the Chaplain's office. His last post in that thread was personal and it helped me immensely. My heart healed a little bit. And now it is broken again.

I really wish that I had had more time to dialogue with the man. In truth, he really was, The Man.

I'm getting choked up right now. I need to stop for a bit. Thank you for starting this thread, I just had to share. Keep posting so I can know him better.

Our loss is Heaven's gain.

God bless you Curt. God bless his loved ones and all the others he left behind, may they get the comfort they need, and then some.

[Pilgrim]

I went to lunch at my favorite Irish Pub on Thursday while the site was closed in Curt's memory. I ordered two single malts. One for me and one for Curt.

It strikes me that you never expect the connections you make in a virtual world like Theology web to be so real you know? I found myself unexpectedly misting up and having to explain to the bartender, another friend of mine, about Curt and theology web. She paid for Curt's drink and that was pretty cool.

Anyway, because this reminds me of how uncertain things are it makes me want to tell all of you how much you mean to me. I love you all. Yes Darth, even you.

Peace.

[MetalMark]

:bawl:

RIP, Curt.

[erinmist]

Thank you all again for your sweet memories and words of sympathy to our family. Your comments have brought smiles and tears, and we are so grateful for the love you've all shown - both for Curt and for those of us he left behind.

I was pleased to see so many aspects of Curt's life represented at the memorial service held in Tampa. It was a sweet reminder of how varied his interests and talents were. There was also a tribute to him this past Saturday in Texas, where one of his favorite regional bands presented a brief slide show of pictures of Curt and sang some of his favorite tunes. My daughter and her husband were present and reported that there were literally hundreds of people present to lift a toast to Curt.

We will have 3 more memorials for him - 2 next month in Dallas (one reverent service at our home church and a more raucous Irish wake at the home of one of our dear friends). In March, some of Curt's ashes will be scattered at the North Texas Irish Festival in Dallas. There will also be a scattering at CelticFest Mississippi in September. Some will be sent to Ireland to be scattered, and some will be spread in a garden outside the crypt where our mother, grandparents, and little Aura are laid - the crypt he gave to Heather just 2 weeks before he passed away.

Part of me wishes we could get all these memorials and tributes done in a shorter span of time, if for no other reason than to be able to resume a somewhat normal life. But these choices were made based on Curt's life and loves, and it is important to the entire family that he be remembered this way.

As I go through the boxes of his possessions brought back from Tampa, I will think of each of you and the role you all played in his life. JP - thank you for your narratives on the Tampa service. Mossrose and CountryPreacher - thank you for your concern for our family through phone calls and notes. Everyone else - thank you for loving Curt so much.