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Donald Curl Obituary
By Samantha Frank, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Donald Walter Curl, an original faculty member at Florida Atlantic University and a Florida historian considered the expert on Addison Mizner architecture, died Saturday after battling lymphoma for three years. He was 75.
He is survived by his partner of 30 years, Fred L. Eckel, a niece and two nephews.
Born in East Liberty, Ohio, Curl received his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from Ohio State University, where he studied American history.
He moved to Boca Raton in 1964 to teach history at FAU, where he was one of 60 original faculty members, and remained there until his retirement in 2004.
He wrote eight books, including Mizner's Florida: American Resort Architecture, which received the Rembert Patrick Award from the Florida Historical Society in 1984.
Mary Csar, executive director of the Boca Raton Historical Society, said that Curl was the "backbone" of the society. He often volunteered as a docent for historical tours of the Boca Raton Resort and Club.
In addition to his love of history, she said that he had a passion for food and was a talented cook.
"He was kind and gentle and a wonderful friend," she said.
Debi Murray, chief curator for the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, first met Curl about 15 years ago, when she was a student at FAU. Curl was her thesis adviser and quickly became a mentor and friend.
"His work will live on forever," Murray said.
There will be no funeral. A memorial service is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Boca Raton Historical Society/Old Town Hall, 71 N. Federal Highway.
Contributions in his memory can be made to the Boca Raton Historical Society and the Department of History at FAU.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Curl
12 Entries
Anthony Harton
February 21, 2021
I just read about Dr. Karl's passing away. He was my advisor in the 60s. Dr. Karl was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor, he allowed us to bring our dog to class.
Alvin Lederer
September 13, 2020
As a fellow Florida Historian I can truly say what a great contribution Historian Donald Curl made to preserving our History and what a great loss it is to all who knew him. when he passed away we also lost his knowledge and memories of events that helped shape Florida
Alvin Lederer
Florida Historian
Shirley Henderson Colee
June 26, 2019
Dr. Curl was my advisor when I enrolled the Master's Degree Program in the College of History at FAU in 1980. He was a wonderful mentor, teacher and scholar. I loved his graduate seminar on 'The American Political Party System.' I learned so much from him. He was generous in opening up his beautiful home to students, and I was there on two occasions: one, for the induction of students into the History Honor Society and two, for a tour of Mizner style architecture in his neighborhood. Condolences to his family for their loss of a wonderful person.
Rhonda Ballard
December 24, 2010
For all of you that have written kind words about my uncle, I thank you. My family thanks you. Before anyone wrote a single word, my personal description of my uncle was that he was so kind and gentle. I saw many of you describe him the same way. My mother was his only sibling and we lost her almost 25 years ago. Her death affected him deeply. As it did his mother, our grandmother. For me, his only niece, Christmas was so very special because we lived so far away but spent every Christmas together when I was growing up. I know Donn was an extraordinary human being and I always marveled in his knowledge and talent. I loved him deeply and know that there will be a permanent void in our lives, never to be filled, now that he is gone. Thank you all for your kind words.
Dave Brannon
December 17, 2010
Dr Curl was a fine instructor and a good human being. I sincerely enjoyed my classes with him. He had the gift of being informaitive and entertaining; a wonderful characteristic for a teacher. His absence will be felt
Paul Houlihan
December 13, 2010
While I did not know Dr. Curl very well, I did have the pleasure of taking an American History Class from him back in the early seventies. He was a most interesting and well-informed teacher of history. Two things stay with me from that brief time with Dr. Curl. The first was that when he paused in what he was saying, he would often say, "Anyway..." It was actually quite amusing. The second was his kindness shown to me when I did not have a clue as to the correct response to one of his essay test questions. I wrote something, as I recall, and just took a position, rather than to recite factual information. He, in his kindness, gave me partial credit for my silly response and added the following comment: "Somewhat argumentative." I never forgot those two things about this fine man and outstanding educator. May he rest in peace.
Richard Hamm
December 10, 2010
I was a student of Donn's at the same time as Doug Bisson, right before he started teaching history of architecture. He was teaching constitutional and political history then (right during the Watergate era), and he was a master of it. Moreover, he was the best mentor any undergraduate could want -- I remember when I was debating between which graduate program to pick, one near family or one far away, he wrote me to take the one far away, "and live." It was great advice. He was a wonderful man and will be missed.
Jean Matheson
December 9, 2010
Dear Fred, when I saw the obituary for Don in the Post it began with "Donald Walter Curl, the original----" and of course that is who he was. I haven't seen either of you for a long time but fondly remember our times together at the PB Hist. Society at the Flagler Museum. Don was a kind man with a dry, sly sense of humor. I always looked forward to seeing him and was never disappointed. My symnpathy to you with my admiration that you made a wise choice in your life partner.
Jean Matheson
[email protected]
Douglas Bisson
December 8, 2010
I was a history major at FAU in the mid-1970s. Donald Curl was a wonderful teacher, mentor and friend. He opened his home --and his heart-- to students and faculty colleagues. I will miss him.
December 7, 2010
A strengthening word for the family. " Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not gaze about, for I am your God. I will fortify you. I will really help you. I will really keep fast hold of you with my right hand of righteousness." Isaiah 41:10 San Diego,Ca.
Caroline Seebohm
December 7, 2010
I wrote a biography of Addison Mizner ("Boca Rococo: How Addison Mizner invented Florida's Gold Coast") 17 years after Donald Curl's brilliant "Mizner's Florida" was published. I had access to new papers and documents unavailable to him. He was extraordinarily generous with his time and shared his knowledge with me in a way that went far beyond mere scholarly help. Few writers would have been so unselfish, and I will always be grateful and remember him for this.
I send deepest condolences to his partner, Fred Eckel.
Caroline Seebohm
Susan Rogers
December 6, 2010
To the family of Dr. Curl:
I was a student in his class on "The History of Modern Architecture" at FAU in 1980. I thoroughly enjoyed his class, because he was so knowledgeable and kept the class awake at 7:30 am. I enjoyed his slides and his presentation to the class. I wish that more FAU professors taught their classes like the way he did. Palm Beach County has lost a fine man.
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