Charles E. Curran

Charles E. ("Chuck") Curran passed away on February 13, 2008. Chuck was born May 27, 1923, in North Adams, Mass. He graduated from Williston Academy in Easthampton, Mass. After a semester at Harvard, he joined the Army in 1942. He became a First Sergeant and served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters during World War II. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Harvard from which he obtained his Bachelor's degree, his Master's in Public Administration and his Ph.D. After arriving in Kansas City in 1952, he prepared his doctoral dissertation regarding Kansas City's General Hospitals, a special interest of Chuck's over the years. Chuck moved to Kansas City for a one year internship under Perry Cookingham and never left KC. He worked for the City of Kansas City, Mo., from 1952- 1958, serving as Assistant City Manager from 1955-1958. Chuck then moved to the Institute of Community Studies where he ran the Civic Research Institute until 1961. In 1961 Chuck joined the Kansas City Association of Trusts and Foundations, where he remained for 25 years. He was first a Vice-President under Homer Wadsworth until 1973, President from 1973-1984, and finally a consultant from 1984-1986. In 1986 the Association became the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and Affiliated Trusts. Twelve years later, the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation honored Chuck with the first presentation of the Paul H. Henson Leadership Award "for making a significant contribution to improving the quality of life in the community." During his tenure with the Kansas City Association of Trusts and Foundations, Chuck worked closely with a large number of local charitable, civic, and not- for-profit organizations, including the Learning Exchange and the Clearinghouse for Mid-Continent Foundations. The Association "loaned" his services on two occasions, which proved particularly rewarding. In 1963, at the request of Ilus ("Ike") Davis, Chuck served as Special Assistant to the Mayor during Ike's first four months in office. Later, in 1972-1973, Chuck, at the request of George Powell, Sr., served as Acting General Manager of KCPT Public Television and helped save it from imminent bankruptcy. Since leaving the Foundation in 1986, Chuck served as adjunct professor at the Bloch School of Business & Public Administration at U.M.K.C., and as an active community volunteer. He was on the board of directors of the H&R Block Foundation, and over the years served on the boards of the Francis Families Foundation and the Planned Parenthood Advisory Board. He also served on the boards of Mid-Continent Public Library (one of the founders), Heart of America United Way, the American Royal, the Greater Kansas City Boys Club, U.M.K.C. Friends of the Library, Civic Council of Kansas City, Woolford Enterprises, and the Sam and Mary Roberts Foundation. Over recent years, Chuck also continued to maintain his special relationship with Hospital Hill. That relationship, which lasted 53 years, began in 1952 when Chuck was a budget analyst at City Hall and was assigned the Health Department's budget, including those for General Hospital #1, General Hospital #2, and the Tuberculosis Hospital. He was involved as those hospitals were desegregated during the late 1950's and, in 1962, and with Al Mauro helped merge those hospitals to form General Hospital and Medical Center Corporation, which in 1972 became Truman Medical Center. Chuck was a consultant to that entity from 1963-72. He has been a member of Truman's Board of Governors from 1973 until 2005, and was its Chairman from 1973-1980. He also served on the board of Children's Mercy Hospital. Over the years, Chuck has had 56 reports, articles, reviews and monographs published. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Joan Ferris Curran; son, Douglas Y. Curran and wife Terri; daughter, Jane W. Curran-Meuli and husband Michael; four grandsons, Charles H. Curran, Geoffrey Y. Curran, Ferris V. Meuli and Saville M. Meuli. He was preceded in death by his father, George L. Curran, MD; his mother, Claire R. Curran; and his brother, George L. Curran, Jr., MD. A private family burial service is planned for Saturday, Feb. 16. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, at 11 a.m. at Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral. In lieu of flowers the family requests gifts to The Community Kitchen at Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral, 415 E. 13th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dwnewcomers.com. Arrangements: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Stine & McClure Chapel (816) 931- 7777.