Irmo - IRMO, SC Curtis A. Rhodes, Ph.D., loving family man and mechanical engineering professor for 49 years, died very suddenly on Friday May 20th of a ruptured aortic dissection (a torn artery very near the heart). A Graduate of Texas A&M University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Melon University, he continued to study, learn and teach through his last days.

Curtis enjoyed his many years of teaching and his students; he taught close to 2000 students since "retirement" 10 years ago. On occasion, students would mention that their parents had been in his engineering class many years ago. He still made time to tutor his children in math at his desk at home, mostly on Sunday afternoons, sometimes in a mixture of old time country music, college football, and coffee.

His professional associations included American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Before coming to USC, Curtis worked at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

After a very successful hip replacement in December 2015, his vistas were wide and plans for family trips were numerous. This picture was taken in March 2016 while in Iceland with his family. Curtis was a member of Columbia Sailing Club and enjoyed sailing and racing with his wife on his San Juan 21, as well as sailing strategy. A Texan, he loved his farm roots and returned to his Texas family and farm annually. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 49 years, Suzanne Hughes Rhodes, his daughter Sandra Rhodes (Ed White), sons Craig (Lisa Bishop), Kent, Scott (Glen Troiano), and two grandchildren, Mark Curtis Galutia and Kimberly Ann Galutia. He was predeceased by first wife Laverne Dickerson Rhodes. He is survived by two sisters, Marjorie and Geraldine Rhodes, of Blanco Texas.

He loved nature, gardening, birding, and viewing wildlife in his yard. He was beginning to bicycle and enjoy walks again after the December surgery.

The family is planning a memorial service in the future. Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the USC Educational Foundation, Memo to Curtis A. Rhodes Scholarship Fund. Mail checks to: University of South Carolina, Office of Gift Processing, 1027 Barnwell Street, Columbia, SC 29208.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Valley Morning Star on May 25, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Curtis Rhodes

Sponsored by His Loving Family.

28 Entries

CARL F ZEIGLER

February 12, 2024

I am a bit late in finding out about the passing of Dr. Rhodes, but I still wanted to say something about his passing. Dr. Rhodes was a great guy, teacher, and mentor. He was my advisor. He always had an open door policy. My sincere condolences. A tremendous loss to the engineering community.

Pat Winters

August 12, 2016

What a gentle, unique, generous man Curtis was. The Hughes family (Suzanne Hughes Rhodes' family) loved and respected him. For me, his connection with children was particularly wonderful. He was always gently supportive of my son Tom, and later seemed almost magical with Tom's newborn baby just after my father's memorial service. Baby Evan was crying inconsolably despite several adults trying to comfort him. Curtis gently picked him up, held him close while he walked and talked softly and Evan immediately became calm and quiet and fell asleep. He obviously felt Curtis's special comforting presence.
Curtis' life was cut too short, but what a wonderful productive life he lived while he was here!
With love and profound sympathy to Suzanne and all the Rhodes family,
Pat Hughes Winters

Maggie Gibson-Bostic

July 12, 2016

Curtis was my buddy and we had great conversations! I'll miss his wisdom and answers to my questions about machinery. RIP Curtis!

Gary Grubbs

July 5, 2016

I had Dr. Rhodes as a teacher at South Carolina many years ago. Mid Seventies. He was a very good teacher and I learned much from him. May he rest in peace.

Mair DePratter

June 24, 2016

What a great photo of Curtis! I have been fortunate to have Curtis and Suzanne as friends. Curtis lived life fully with great curiosity and enjoyment. I have enjoyed hearing about their many travels and their awesome family- such great teamwork! I will miss Curtis's warmth and support. I am so sorry for your loss, Suzanne. Sandy, Kent, Craig, Scott, Kimberly and Mark, I hope that you find comfort in the knowledge that your Dad/Granddad was extremely proud of each and every one of you.

June 8, 2016

So sorry I didn't know about Curtis' passing until today. My heartfelt sorrow to you Suzanne and family for your loss. Pat Manley, LWVCA

Peipei Zhang

June 6, 2016

Deepest sympathies to the entire family. Wish the kind father is good in the heaven.

Susanne Cecere

June 1, 2016

Suzanne, my sincere condolences to you and your family. Curtis had such a wonderful sense of humor. I know he loved his country music. He loved Austin City Limits and got me tuned into that show. You are in my thoughts and prayers

Ed Rhodes

May 31, 2016

My sympathies to the entire extended family, and especially to Suzanne, Sandra, Craig, Kent and Scott (and Kim) It's a tremendous loss to anyone that knew Curtis.

Julie Sellers

May 28, 2016

Curtis was a valued source of information for the League of Women Voters of the Columbia Area. Suzanne, we love you and will always treasure the concern, support, and commitment that you and Curtis demonstrated in your work for LWV. We send our deepest sympathy for your loss.

May 27, 2016

Curtis was my little brother whom I have loved for more than 83 years.

I have been so pleased and proud with the many successes in his life.

His children are a testament to his success as a father.

He is no longer with us, but the love and many memories will remain.

Alice Rhodes

david shewmaker

May 26, 2016

to the Rhodes family, with deepest sympathy. Our families have known each other for many years in South Texas.

Connie Burroughs

May 26, 2016

Suzanne--It can't be easy to survive such a loss after such a long and loving marriage but I am happy that you have lots of family supports.
'Sorry' is just not enough to express your loss.
We lost my son several years ago but not suddenly like your Curtis. You have to have an enormous sense of pride for all he was and did. He was quite a man

Tommy and Debbie Weaver

May 26, 2016

Suzanne- We are so sorry to hear about Curtis. We enjoyed many years of sailing with you two. He was a kind, sweet man. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

Jon Lowe

May 26, 2016

To the Rhodes family-
I was privileged to be a student of Dr. Rhodes in the 70's and always enjoyed learning from him because his approach was not one of rule but of fun and inspiration. What a great and exciting time of learning from this truly wonderful gentleman and scholar. I take comfort in the belief that Curtis is enjoying sailing along in his new journey and pray that God holds you as you journey through the grief of his passing.
With kindest regards

Linda Page

May 26, 2016

Scott, Suzanne, Sandy, Craig, and Kent. I remember Curtis as a brilliant and kind man who had a wonderful sense of humor and always made people feel welcome. Steve and I want you to know all of you are in our prayers and thoughts

Reg Brasington

May 26, 2016

Curtis was a spectacular teacher. He taught in the Summer University Residential Program for Academically Superior Students--USC's pioneering program for the talented and gifted. These scholars were magnetized to Curtis because he led their scholarship into new directions.

Shea Manley

May 26, 2016

Craig and Lisa,
We love you more than you will ever know and certainly are with you in spirit and prayer during this rough time. And while we didn't meet your Dad, Craig, I feel we did through you. Reading about him and hearing your stories about him over the years show me that you both have such a passion for life and activities and learning and sharing! Please let us know how we can best support you guys over the coming months.

Love you. Love you. Love you.
Shea, Scott, Michael, London, (and new baby girl)

Ken Hergenrather

May 25, 2016

Dear Scott, Suzanne, Sandy, Craig, and Kent. I remember Curtis as a brilliant and kind man who had a wonderful sense of humor and always made people feel welcome. I hope that your fond memories of Curtis forever bring you comfort.

Kate Hayden

May 25, 2016

Dear Scott & Rhodes family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

May 25, 2016

Curtis was my brother-in-law. What a gentle, smart, generous man he was. He was wonderful with my son and later with my grandchildren, soothing them when they were babies (a "baby whisperer"), and teaching them when they were older, especially about kayaking and sailing and his other passions.
This world has lost a very special man; we will all miss him.
Pat Winters (Des Moines, IA)

Susan Corbett

May 25, 2016

My heart goes out to Suzanne and all the family. What a wonderful life you two shared...May the path forward be lightened by those memories and the lives you two nurtured and supported.

May 25, 2016

I am sorry for your loss. May prayer comfort you.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray constantly."

Pam Collins

May 25, 2016

Curtis was a dear friend and a special neighbor. He was always willing to help others. I will always remember his roses and his affection towards are cat.

Tom Clements

May 25, 2016

My condolences to Suzanne and the family. Curtis was a fine man and so supportive of Suzanne, with whom I have had the opportunity to work on public interest environmental issues.

Crystal Slavens

May 24, 2016

Dr. Rhodes was my favorite professor and boss at USC! He was always so nice and helpful. He will be missed.

G & R Severt

May 24, 2016

Both of our lives were enriched by having Curtis in them. We will miss him, and will pray for you all. He was a gentleman, a scholar, and a one in a lifetime kind of person!

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