CURTIS GRIMM

GRIMM CURTIS M. GRIMM Curtis M. Grimm, of University Park, Maryland, died at his home, of pancreatic cancer, on December 12, 2018 in the company of his family. Grimm, an accomplished scholar and a longtime professor at the University of Maryland, leaves a legacy of devotion to his family, friends, students, and his work. Curt was born on July 10, 1953 in Red Wing, Minnesota and spent his early childhood years on the family dairy farm. The family later moved to Elkhorn, Wisconsin, where in high school he was active in theater, played varsity tennis and graduated as valedictorian. He earned his undergraduate degree in economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating summa cum laude in 1975. He studied at the University of Freiburg, and earned a PhD in economics from the University of California-Berkeley. He was hired as a professor in the University of Maryland Smith School of Business in 1983 where he was a leader and an integral part of the growth and development of the School. While on sabbatical, in 1991-1992, he worked on the impacts and implications of Australian domestic deregulation while in residence at the Australian National University in Canberra. He was named as the Charles A. Taff Chair of Economics & Strategy and, since 2017, was the department chair of the Logistic, Business and Public Policy department, having previously served in that role from 1995 to 2003. He was a master teacher at all levels in the Smith School and was awarded the Allen J. Krowe Award for Teaching Excellence in 1988, named as a Top 15 percent instructor 12 times, and honored by the university with the Distinguished Scholar-Teacher award in 2010. He is remembered by his many former doctoral students as having been easily accessible and always engaged. Much of Professor Grimm's research focused on the interface of business and public policy with strategic management, with an emphasis on competition, competition policy, deregulation, and microeconomic reform in the United States and elsewhere. He authored four books and more than 80 published articles. In June 2018, his 30 plus years of Competitive Dynamics research was recognized at an international conference held at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario where he gave the keynote address. Curt met his wife, Sandy Gawlas, while studying German at the Goethe Institute in Staufen, Germany. They married in 1980 and moved from Berkeley to College Park, Maryland in 1983 where they raised their sons Kenny and Erik. Curt shared with family and friends his many passions including sports, card and strategy games, music, and hiking. For many years he played basketball, tennis, and softball with work colleagues, friends, and Sandy. He coached both sons and their friends in tee-ball, basketball, and soccer in the College Park Boys and Girls Club from 1991 through 1997. His coaching mantra was "Respect, Sweat, Fun, and Teamwork." He was also instrumental in founding the Powers Soccer Camp. Curt hosted legendary bimonthly poker games in his home, some casual and some highly competitive, attended by a wide range of friends and colleagues. Some of them accompanied him on occasional trips to Atlantic City and other poker tournaments. Curt's ideal vacation was driving across the country with Sandy, exploring national parks and visiting family along the way. His favorite hiking spots were Indian Canyons in Palm Springs, Joshua Tree and Death Valley, the Badlands, and Acadia National Park. When his children were young, their family especially enjoyed his sabbatical year in Australia. Curt was an avid music enthusiast, enjoying above all, the music of his sons and their bands. He attended their concerts, listened to their CDs and, with Sandy, hosted performances in their home for friends and neighbors. His greatest pride and joy in life was his family. On December 2, 2018, he saw his family grow when his son, Kenny, married Naomi Almquist. Curt is survived by his wife, Sandy Gawlas, sons Kenny Grimm and Erik Grimm, daughter-in-law Naomi, brother Bruce Grimm, sisters Patte Steiner and Suzanne Jones, his extended family and many, many friends. He is pre-deceased by his parents, Arthur and June Grimm of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. A memorial service will be held in the Memorial Chapel of the University of Maryland on February 7, 2019 at 3 p.m. All are welcome. In recognition of Curt's lifelong appreciation of the scholarships that enabled him to accomplish his dreams, his family has established a scholarship fund at the University of Maryland. Donations may be made in his memory to the Curtis Grimm Memorial Fund through the University of Maryland College Park Foundation (UMCPF), 4603 Calvert Road, College Park, MD 20742, or online at go.umd.edu/curtgrimm.In">go.umd.edu/curtgrimm.In recognition of Curt's lifelong appreciation of the scholarships that enabled him to accomplish his dreams, his family has established a scholarship fund at the University of Maryland. Donations may be made in his memory to the Curtis Grimm Memorial Fund through the University of Maryland College Park Foundation (UMCPF), 4603 Calvert Road, College Park, MD 20742, or online at go.umd.edu/curtgrimm.