Curt Shields Obituary

ELWYN SHIELDS

Virginia Beach -- Curt Shields was born in Washington, DC on July 5, 1934. He lost his battle with cancer July 27, 2005. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann Shields of Virginia Beach, Virginia; his sister, Betty Shields Lindley, of Taveres, Florida; his children, Wayne Curtis Shields and partner, Andrew Velthaus of Washington, DC, Roy Allen Shields and wife, Laurie of Livermore, California, Karen Lynn Perry and husband, Andy of Virginia Beach; step-children, Gwendolyn Lee Kinstler Miller and husband, Robert of Norfolk, William Allen Edwards, Jr. and wife, Cindy of Virginia Beach, Diane Stellwag Sawyer and husband, Rodney of Chesapeake; niece, Denise Lloyd of Orlando, Florida; nephews, Dale Tarbert and wife, Lisa of Titusville, Florida and Shields Long and wife, Lynn of Orlando. He leaves 11 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, seven great nieces and nephews.

Curt completed his four-year apprenticeship at Newport News Ship Building and Drydock Company as a ship fitter in 1956. He began his career the same year with the U.S. Civil Service at the David Taylor Model Basin in Washington, DC. In 1969, he moved to Virginia Beach as a small craft test and design engineer at the Naval Ship Engineering Center (NAVSEC). He retired in July 1989 after 33 years of service.

Curt received many awards during his professional career from the U.S. Department of the Navy and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. He is well-known as the "Father of the RIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat)", an innovative, light rescue service boat for the Coast Guard and U.S. Navy. After retirement, he launched "Tech-Art, Inc.", a boat-testing and design business. He is internationally respected throughout the boating industry for his knowledge, attention to detail, and willingness to help others.

Curt was also a talented and respected artist. He painted using oils, watercolor, and other media; did wood carvings; created sculptures from raw materials such as wire clothes hangers using an arc welder and acetylene torch, and meticulously engineered ten small seven-inch models of a wide variety of boats using scaled-down photos, line drawings, and information from interviews with small craft boaters. He donated a Chesapeake Bay Clamming Boat model, named "Patricia Ann" after his wife of 27 years, to the Mariners Museum, Newport News. His creation is still part of the Museum's permanent collection and is currently on display.

Curt Shields was a loving, patient and supportive husband, father, brother and friend to many. He and his wife Patty have been avid boaters for three decades, recently completing twenty years aboard their trawler, "Notions". Curt and Patty are founding members of the Pungo Ferry Yacht Club, a group of fellow boaters and friends who moor their boats at Pungo Ferry Marina in Virginia Beach.

The family would like to thank the many friends and extended family members who were so supportive through Curt's illness. His presence will truly be missed. May he always have "Fair Winds and Following Seas".

Memorial Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2730 Ellsmere Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23513.

Services were held August 1. Condolences may be offered at:

www.smithandwilliamsfuneralhome.com.

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

Published by The Washington Post on Aug. 7, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Curt Shields

Sponsored by Wayne Shields.

10 Entries

Janice McCraw

August 26, 2005

Whenever I think of Curt - it's "Curt and Patty". They took us on a wonderful boat trip on the Inland Water Way to Portsmouth, Va many years ago, and it seems like yesterday. He guided the boat with such ease and had so much fun! We did too!

And to the family, how sorry we were not to be able to come to the memorial service. Our hearts were there, and our love and prayers go with each of you.

(Patty, Tom will write his own memorial a little later.)

Barbara Shields

August 20, 2005

Curt (Dad),

To a wonderful father-in-law and grandfather. Scott Curtis(your name sake), Cody, Ashley and Barbara will miss you terribly,however, we are grateful for all our times together. Thank you Dad for all your love. You will be in our hearts forever!

Andy Perry

August 20, 2005

I will always hold the memories of our time spent together as a special privilege. "At any rate", Curt was the best father-in-law a man could ask for.

Gwen Miller

August 19, 2005

All of the family gathered at the hospital on Monday, July 25, 2005, to meet with the doctor and Curt’s nurse, Mary Lou. They were describing to us what to expect in the next days or weeks ahead – none of us really knowing when, but knowing in our hearts that his time would be soon.

Mary Lou left a booklet in Curt’s room for us to read entitled “Gone From My Sight–The Dying Experience” written by Barbara Karnes. I went to visit Curt Wednesday morning at which time I read through the booklet. It begins, “Each person approaches death in their own way, bringing to this last experience their own uniqueness.” The author goes on to describe the signs that may occur months, weeks, days and minutes before the last breath.

What struck me the most as I was reading through this timeline of sorts was how Curt’s passing was just as unique as the life he lived. Everyone knows that Curt would begin each day with a list of things he wanted to accomplish. As he finished each task, he would check off the item and continue on to the next one. We used to joke him about it – wake up (check), take shower (check), get dressed (check), eat breakfast (check). Not that he was that specific, but you get the idea.

As he worked on any project, he was very meticulous with every detail, beginning with his list, then creating a schematic, and finally completing his project. I’ll never forget the drawings he made just to add an extra fuel tank and fuel lines on their boat.

So, I’m reading through the little booklet as it pertains to Curt and thinking…months prior (check), weeks prior (check), physical changes (check), days prior (check). Curt was crossing every “t” and dotting every “i,” completing his final checklist.

There is a beautiful story at the end of the booklet written by Henry Van Dyke. I asked Mom if anyone had read it to Curt and she replied “no,” not that she knew of anyway. So I read it to him and would like to share it with you:

“I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”

“Gone where?”

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”

I said my “so long” to Curt and told him I loved him very much. I thanked him for all that he had imparted to me during these past 20+ years, and I told him how there are those who have gone before us awaiting his arrival, like the ship in the story – his Mom, Dad, and other loved ones, like Eric, Grandma, Uncle Donald, to name a few. I kissed his forehead.

Then it was time to leave and go to work. Mom walked me all the way to my car – not just to the front door of the hospital, but all the way to my car. I shared with her all of these thoughts that had just flooded my heart and which I have just shared with you. We do our hugs good-bye and I get in my car. I pull out of the parking spot and we wave good-bye to each other. Then, all of a sudden, I “see” Curt standing beside Mom and he is waving to me as well! He is smiling so big and he is very happy! It caught me off guard and I know that he is not really there, but I feel his presence with Mom as they both wave good-bye. A sense of peace and calmness permeates me. Memories flood my mind and I think about how, during my visit the next day, I would remind Curt about all those “long good-byes” we would have in the hallway at the front door every time we would leave after a visit with them. It was rare that we would just get up, say good-bye, and leave the house. No, Curt and Mom would walk us all the way to the front door where we would continue talking, telling stories, often getting off on tangents that would last another half hour or more before we actually left! But, as quick as I thought I would share these things with him, I also knew in my heart that I will never have that opportunity again – at least not on this shore. He was letting me know that all was good and he was fine…...

‘til we meet again ~

I love you.

Dottie Bibey

August 18, 2005

To the best brother a sister-in-law could ever hope for. Thanks for the wonderful memories. I will never forget you. Love, Dottie

Patty Shields

August 18, 2005

I will miss you Curt far more than any words can express. You were my life, my mate, my friend, my buddy, my lover, my pal, and most of all, my wonderful husband for over 27 years. The memories of us that I hold dear to my heart can never be erased. I love you Babe. Your loving wife,

Patty

Karen Shields-Perry

August 16, 2005

Dad was a very caring father and friend to Andy and I. I just can't put into words how much I will miss him. He was witty, creative and always gave good advice. I'll especially think of him on the water.

I love and miss you so much Dad.

Your little "Jirl".

Bill & Cindy Edwards

August 15, 2005

We love you Curt and will miss you very much!

Bill, Cindy and Family

Wayne Shields

August 14, 2005

Tribute to Dad

August 1, 2005

I loved Dad very much and will miss him terribly. He was a smart and kind man who I knew always loved me—from the first moment I was born until last Wednesday—without condition. I was incredibly lucky to have him as a father.

He was not a religious man in the traditional sense. He saw beauty in everyday life and in nature: birds and whales, cats and dogs, mathematics and art, his friends and family, FOOTBALL (although I never did “get” this one). We often talked for hours about the meaning of life. He was a smart, insightful, and content man.

Most of all he saw beauty and life through humor—corny at times, sometimes cynical, and always very, very dry, like a good martini.

So, I’d like to pay tribute to dad and his outlook on life by reading a poem I’ve written in his honor; in honor of his legacy and his most important possession.

[get out nose sculpture and place on podium]

Ode to My Father’s Big Honker

Or “How I Never Quite Measured Up to Dad’s Prominent Legacy”

By Wayne C. Shields

My father’s truly unusual feat

Had nothing to do with his art or his beat

His legacy fell in a prominent place

Above his small mouth in the midst of his face.

Its size was amazing, its meaning was clear

We knew we were safe when the honker was near

He could sniff out a problem and pick like the best

That nose was a gift from his mother’s behest.

A practical man, he used his protrusion

To navigate channels and fog-shrouded illusion.

Dad’s nose was a beacon to those who were there

On water that sometimes could cause a great a scare.

Some said “his is such a significant schnozz,

A sight to behold, like the Wizard of Oz.”

Others stared mute, unable to speak

At the sight of that awesome, magnificent beak.

A move to the left, a swing to the right,

Dad’s honker could be an incredible sight.

Or funny if seen from directly in front

A bit “Groucho Marx,” a bit Donald Blount.

His mother, named Bessie, passed on long ago

Her prominent nose was a pleasure to know

A larger-sized honker is hard to imagine

Dad’s imitation was merely a fraction.

And yet he was able with dexterous skill

To muster respect for his “mound on the hill”

When it comes to a honker of shape and finesse

His nose knew no equal—it’s one of the best.

I’ll miss that great schnozz as we lay him to rest

It’s true that it really was one of the best

And though my own nose will never Dad’s be

I’m proud to live up to the Shields legacy.

# # #