Lawrence Buck Curtis
1924-2017
Lawrence Buck Curtis, beloved husband, father and friend, departed this life on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Born in Grand Junction, Colorado to Leila and Chester Curtis, June 18, 1924, he grew up in Denver, learning the virtues of hard work and self-reliance during the Great Depression. He graduated from Arvada High School in May 1942 and joined the US Navy. Assigned to Naval Air Squadron VPB-15 as a radio operator, he served in the Atlantic, Panama Canal Zone and Western Pacific theaters from March 1943 to January 1946. Returning home after the war, Buck attended Colorado School of Mines, graduating with a petroleum engineering degree in 1949, which led to a position with Continental Oil Company (Conoco) in the oilfields of Texas. That year he also married his sweetheart, Rose Vanderhoof, of Arvada. By 1960, they were raising four wonderful children. During his career with Conoco, he worked around the world engineering technical solutions to improve the supply of oil to the American public, including the innovative Dubai Kazaan submersible storage tank and the Hutton deepwater tension-leg platform. He retired in 1987 as a Vice President of the company's Production Engineering Services. Throughout his career and into retirement, he was active in the petroleum industry, receiving many prestigious awards, serving as the president of the Society of Petroleum Engineers in 1971, and later as chairman of the board of Energy Corporation of America. However, he considered the family he built with Rose to be his greatest contribution. Buck believed the secret to a long life was to remain open and curious to the world around us. He filled his spare hours reading his way through American history, enjoying nature, and circling the globe in his travels. As a member of the United Methodist Church, he served the Lord by contributing to hundreds of good causes, especially ChildFund International. In his retirement, he taught English as a second language and mentored elementary students in reading. He also built his dream home, fondly called the Lake House, which provided many years of enjoyment, especially as a gathering place for his family. These words convey the bare thread of his life, but many events, people and happenings took place along the way, leaving him with the satisfaction of having always tried his best. Buck is preceded in death by his wife Rose and son, David. He is survived by his cousin, Ruby Roe; his daughters and their families: Jennifer and Tom Swanson, Ann Benzon, Claudia Curtis, and daughter-in-law, Lynda Curtis. Eight wonderful grandchildren and two great-grandchildren continue his legacy. A celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, February 11 at 10 am at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston Texas 77079. A private interment will take place next summer at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheatridge, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be sent to ChildFund International, 2821 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, VA 23294, or to the charity of your choice.

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Published by Houston Chronicle on Feb. 5, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Lawrence Curtis

Sponsored by Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery.

23 Entries

Lois Hornbostel

January 9, 2018

I worked as Buck Curtis's secretary in the late 1960s in New York City. He was a delight to work for. Kind, relaxed and ethical. I'm happy to see what a fine and productive life he led.

Annie Benzon

April 23, 2017

Let's face it, Dad could be difficult at times. But he was authentic. Never a phony, you knew exactly where you stood with him at all times and you knew his views on the world or on your business. Often he made me squirm a bit, hoping we could change the subject. But in a room full of friends,co-workers and family, his recent memorial service, every single one of us spoke highly of this great man. He loved to laugh, explore ideas and discuss difficult subjects. No where near a stand up comedian, he could memorize and recite jokes to lighten the conversation, or brighten my mood. He loved to answer the telephone in the old days," Kelly's Pool Hall". He thought that was hilarious. A world traveler, he brought home treasures like petrified wood or Japanese transistor radios from his trips to Asia and the Middle East and introduced us to French wine and blue cheese. But he also loved getting out in the mountains to fish or picnic in the cool summer air. One of his favorite fishing holes was Whiskey Creek, somewhere up near Steamboat. He loved the peaceful act of trout fishing and tried to show us all how to land a fly. He never veered from his strong conservative views on individual freedom, small government and the importance of scientific thought. He loved Einstein, he loved the Wright brothers, and his father in law Tom Vanderhoof. He admired Winston Churchill and other risk takers. ..especially President Reagan. He was a complicated man but he loved his family and his wife and tried to do the right thing always. I miss him terribly, having someone around for 63 years does that. I am glad he is in Heaven with dear Mom and he doesn't have to wonder anymore what is out there in the universe after we cross the Great Divide . Dad I will remember you always with love and thankfulness.

SPE

April 23, 2017

Our deepest condolences on the loss of your Father, he was a very recognized and well respected member of SPE he will truly be missed. We have attached some information about your father and his dedication to the Society of Petroleum Engineers that we hope will assist you. In 2007 he celebrated his 50th Anniversary as a member which was recognized and published in our JPT. He did an article where he talks about his SPE presidency, we have attached that article for you. He joined SPE in January 1954.
We have also added a link to AIME's website with a biography : http://www.aimehq.org/programs/award/bio/lawrence-b-curtis

Awards:
SPE Distinguished Service Award 1976
SPE Distinguished Membership 1983
SPE DeGolyer Distinguished Service Medal 1985
SPE Honorary Membership 1987
SPE Anthony F. Lucas Gold Medal 1994

Participation:
Omega Donor 2006-2017
SPE Foundation Trustees 1977-2017

Sharon Coffman

April 23, 2017

Your father and mother were two of my favorite. I am so sad for your loss. I pray they are now together forever. Love Sharon

Conoco

April 23, 2017

When he retired he received this message:
In recognition of the enormous contributions made to CONOCO by Buck Curtis--As a talented engineer,manager and executive;as the driving force behind virtually all of CONOCO's technological achievements over the past 25 years;and as a warm and caring human being. From all his friends in Exploration and Production International.... Thanks,Buck. December 3, 1987

Jennifer Swanson

April 7, 2017

How lucky we were to call him 'Dad'! He gave us everything we needed and more. It was his hard work, his drive to bring himself out of poverty and build a better life for himself and his family that we can thank for our good lives today! Our Dad was a remarkable person. a hero to his country for his service in WWII, someone who cared about others - especially the under dog, and the less fortunate. He left a great legacy, not only to his family, friends and Conoco & ECA, both companies he loved - but for all mankind! He achieved great things and left the Earth better for having lived in it! He lives on for me personally in my memories and in my heart! I thank you Dad - I will greatly miss you for the rest of my life! Rest in peace dear father until we meet again! ~ Jen

Dr. Michael Johnson

February 9, 2017

I loved Buck, we worked together on many projects, the most memorable was Heidrun, the largest TLP ever built, and most expensive at $4.5 Billion, and without Buck, it would never have happened. A more creative and dedicated person did not exist on the face of the earth, and a nicer, more friendly and more humorous man also never existed. I will miss you Buck, RIP.

Courtney's thesis pr sensation, 2012

Annie Benzon

February 8, 2017

Denver cousins, Cindy, Annie Anna Sasha

Annie Benzon

February 8, 2017

Annie Benzon

February 8, 2017

Cousin Ruby and dad on her 90th birthday in 2015

Annie Benzon

February 8, 2017

February 7, 2017

Offering Deepest sympathy to The Family & Friends. May your Treasured and Fond Memories shine through your sorrow. ...Matt 5:4-5

Mary Drummond

February 6, 2017

My Father Stoche Langlois, worked with Buck for years at Conoco and the bond they shared was very rare. They had both a great professional and personal relationship that is truly hard to come by these days. My Dad always spoke about he and Rose with respect and love. Our deepest condolences to the family and may God Bless you now and the days ahead.

Mary Langlois Drummond

Julie Ann Kitano

February 6, 2017

A lovely gentleman! I will miss him very much. Kind, thoughtful, generous, honest - just a lovely, lovely man. What a honor to have known him.

HARRY MCLEOD

February 1, 2017

Buck developed a culture of encouragement and creativity in Production Engineering and Technology that was rare in the oil and gas industry. It was a great privilege to work in that environment.
Harry McLeod

February 1, 2017

It was my great pleasure of knowing Buck for over a decade. He was a true gentleman and one of the kindest, most thoughtful individuals that I have ever known. I had many wonderful lunches with Buck and Rose at their favorite restaurant, Villa Italia, in Conroe. Buck will always be remembered by his many friends at Mines.
Rod McNeill (Golden, CO)

Bill Schmoe

January 31, 2017

We will miss a true friend and the greatest engineer ever in the oil production industry.

Bill and Lil Schmoe

Rob McKee

January 31, 2017

Buck was an inspirational man--to his company, to young and older engineers alike, to his colleagues, to the industry, to his school and to his family. He not only had the vision to see beyond the present but also the courage/perseverance to move his ideas into the mainstream and the personality to make believers out of all of us. He was a mentor to me and many others. He was sorely missed in Conoco after his retirement and will be just as much missed by his family and many friends now that he has rejoined his wonderful wife Rose.

John Stalder

January 30, 2017

Buck was such an inspiration at work, both showing and encouraging creative genius. It was a pleasure to work in the atmosphere he fostered. But, even more inspiring was to know him after he retired and to come to see how caring he was toward all those in the Keep In Touch group as we met monthly at La Hacienda. Buck was a credit both to Conoco and to humanity.
John Stalder

David Schwartz

January 30, 2017

One of the great pleasures working at Conoco was being part of Buck's Production Engineering Service, best known as PES. Buck not only had the vision to foresee ground breaking technologies like tension leg platforms, he had the boldness and drive to see them through. Always accessible and welcoming, he was as fiercely proud of PES as we were of him.

Paulie Geiselhart

January 30, 2017

Our heartfelt prayers are with his family. He is Blessed to be reunited with your Mom. Buck and Rose's loving home that they built together continues to be a 'Safe haven' for family and friends here in Walden.

John Ogren

January 30, 2017

A technical giant in Conoco's history, a confident and courageous leader and a man's man. Buck will be missed but remain alive in the memories of those lucky enough to have known him.

Claudia Curtis

January 27, 2017

My father's courage and strength will light the way ahead. I miss you, Daddy, now and always.

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