Curtis-Tarr-Obituary

Curtis Tarr

Obituary

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (AP) - The former federal official who created the lottery for the draft during the Vietnam War has died at age 88.

Curtis Tarr died at his home in Walnut Creek, Calif., on Friday. His daughter, Pam Tarr, said Wednesday that her father died of pneumonia.

Tarr was appointed director of the Selective Service System in 1970, by President Richard Nixon.

Pam Tarr says her father wanted to eliminate an exemption for college students and make the draft more equitable. He instituted a lottery system based on birthdays that were picked on national television.

He later served as under secretary of state for security assistance, with responsibility for military programs with other nations.

Pam Tarr says her father probably would have described the lottery as his greatest responsibility, not his greatest achievement.


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So sorry to read of Curtis' passing. He was a remarkable man in every way. I will always remember fondly our visit with he and Kay in the summer of 2005. Curtis was so proud of his native state and after our tour it was understandable. He was a joy to talk to and visit with. Blessings to Kay and family, John & Lori Donaldson

The family and friends have my deepest sympathy. Mr. Tarr was trying to make things equal for all persons. We await the time when all men will truly be equal under the eyes of God. Until that time we appreciate persons like Mr. Tarr.

sorry to hear of your lost. My God bless.

My sincere condolences to the family. I worked at the Johnson School at Cornell when Curtis was Dean. He was a fantatic Dean and a wonderful human being. I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with all of you.

Regards,

Nancy Culligan

May your memories of your family member give you strength in your loss. I did not know of Mr. Tarr, but am encouraged by his sense of responsibility and humanity as stated by others here. God's Blessings to his family and friends. May his humility be upheld by any who have undaunting tasks and jobs to do. May others who are so well educated learn from the example he lived and treat all as an equal. An admirer of a fine gentleman and American who served well. Rest well, faithful one.

My sincere condolences to the Tarr family. I was 18 in 1970 and just graduated from high school. My draft lottery number was 72 and I knew that I would be drafted. This spurred me to enlist in the Air Force. I served my country and went overseas to Germany. When my Air Force tour was over I was ready for college and had the proper motivation I probably would not have had in 1970. I earned two BA degrees and two Masters degrees and went back into the Air Force Reserve and served over 30 more...

So sorry for your loss. May the "Peace of God"(Phillipians4:6,7) be with you as you cope with such a loss. Draw close to God and he will draw close to you.

My condolences to the family. May the God who supplies endurance and comfort be with you in the days ahead-Romans 15:5. E.D; Park Forest, IL.