Richard Churchill Curtis, Sr. (Churchill) passed away peacefully surrounded by family and his loving wife Jo Ann (Rodgers) on April 6, 2024, in Donalsonville, Georgia.
Churchill was born on May 8, 1937, in Cheraw, SC to Augustus Tobias Curtis and Ruth McCraw Curtis. He was raised in Charleston, and graduated from Porter Military Academy, class of 1955. He briefly played football at Clemson University before transferring to the College of Charleston. He later earned his Master’s in History from the University of South Carolina, an institution to which he committed nearly his entire career.
Somewhere through college, the idea of education as a career took hold and it became his Raison D’Etre. He was passionate about his work, first as a 6th grade teacher and swim coach and then for 43 years as a professor in the USC system. His office door was always “open”, and he mentored, assisted, entertained, and cared for generations of Gamecocks. He was awarded the University of South Carolina Teacher of the Year in 1974.
Churchill believed in the transformative power of education. In addition to his normal classes, office hours, and administrative work on campus, he volunteered to be part of the University outreach program in the South Carolina prison system. He taught weekly courses in the maximum-security prison CCI where learning and education could rehabilitate and change lives exponentially. He also volunteered and taught classes at the University’s partner school in Quito, Ecuador for several summers as well as hosted Ecuadorian students in Columbia.
In 2007, at age 70, Churchill officially retired from USC after 43 years of service. The classroom still called, and he transitioned to teaching part-time at Midlands Technical College. Teaching was his fun, and this role had an added layer because he was teaching courses he had to learn first, then teach (including African Studies).
Churchill was an avid outdoorsman. He grew up fishing and hunting the marshes, tidal streams, and cornfields of his beloved “low country.” Dove and duck hunting were his favorite pursuits and marksman trophies proudly adorned his mantel. But what he enjoyed more than anything was reading. And while he was not a collector, he accumulated a lot of books, and we mean A LOT. When he retired from Carolina, his tiny 8 x 8 office required a box truck and a team of students to help with transport. All four walls of his office were floor to ceiling bookshelves stacked three deep (much like his home). The invention and his utilization of the Kindle saved many forests.
Churchill was charming, funny, and a bit messy. He was not the father who mowed grass or raked yards. He was not the father who tended the BBQ grill on weekends. He was not handy in the least nor did he care about cars. But he was the father that was on the sideline of every game, rain or shine. He may have even cheered/yelled too loud. He was the father who picked you up in the middle of the night when you lost your ride, no questions asked. He was the father who was a great audience to all stories and adventures. He was simply a proud father that never seemed to doubt that all would be fine.
Churchill was a cradle to grave Episcopalian with his final congregation at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Hopkins, SC. He loved being a member of the church and being involved with the choir, vestry, as a lay reader, and volunteer. The community, fellowship, and friendships were especially important to he and his wife, Jo.
He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife, Margaret Hayne Foster Curtis, and a grandson, Evan Robb.
He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann, his brother Tommie, and his children: Richard (Lisa) Curtis, Jr., John (Laura) Curtis, Daisy (Jeff) Jones, Drew (Julia) Robb, and step-children: Reed (Steve) Rognstad, and Mandi (James Eastman) Rodgers; his grandchildren Jay (Tori) Curtis, Lee (Carolyn) Curtis, Andrew Robb, Jennifer Curtis, Maggie Jones, Aaron (McKayla) Rognstad, Elyse Rognstad, Lacey Madden and Laryn Rodgers; and his great-grandchildren Oliver Curtis, Jace Curtis, Lucas Curtis, Jeremiah Rognstad, Josiah Rognstad, Sylas Rognstad, Jacob Rognstad, Easton Dubose, and Ellie Lathrope; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The family would like to thank all those who helped care for Churchill over the last couple of years, especially Reed, Steve, and his friend Mike.
Memorial graveside service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Congaree, 1151 Elm Savannah Rd. Hopkins, SC 29061, on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 3:00 in the afternoon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Boykin Spaniel Rescue, Inc., 112 Hunter Ridge Dr., Boiling Springs, SC 29316.
Bryant Funeral Home, located at 105 N. Florida Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. (229-246-3321)
