Thomas Arnold Curtis

Thomas Arnold Curtis November 21, 1925 - February 17, 2007 A Bay Area native who led a full and wonderful life of almost legendary proportions, Tom was a gifted athlete, a war hero, a scholar, a devoted husband and a father of uncompromising love. He did more than his part to make this a better world for us and for future generations. He is survived by his loving wife "Sis"; children, Don, Lindy, Jim and John; sister, Peggy, 10 loving grandchildren, a large extended family and many friends. Tom was a three-sport letterman at Berkeley High and received multiple college scholarship offers. As a 17-year-old, he signed with and played on Cincinnati Reds baseball farm team until he was called to serve in WW II. He served in the elite 10th Mountain Division in Northern Italy. He returned from war with two Purple Hearts, the Bronze star and Silver Star metal. Tom returned from the war in 1945 and attended Cal for two years before attending UCSF Dental School. In 1951 Tom met, courted and married "Sis" Moulton, forming a bond of love and support that lasted over 55 years. Over his professional career, Tom published over 50 scientific articles, was a co-author (with one of his students) of the definitive textbook on Maxillofacial Prosthodontics and retired from UCSF in 1991 as a full professor. He received the highest levels of recognition at every stage of his professional career, including membership in the Dental Honor Society, president of the Berkeley Dental Society, president of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics, and president of the American Board of Prosthodontics. For 25 years he provided free consultations to patients with head and neck cancer at Bay Area Tumor Institute. Tom will be remembered as an accomplished, principled and compassionate clinician, a husband of uncompromising love, and a father who will never be forgotten. He leaves behind a legacy for his family, community, and profession. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 24 at 1 pm at the Orinda Community Church in Orinda, CA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Bay Area Tumor Institute, 400 30th Street, Suite 301, Oakland, CA 94609 or the Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurses Fund (account #34420), 3030 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705.