In Memoriam
James E. Curtis
Obituary
Jim Curtis
1964 Yale graduation
Jim Curtis died at Longboat Key, Florida on August 23, 2024, from complications resulting from acute myeloid leukemia.
Jim grew up in Lakewood, Ohio. He was a chemical engineering major at Yale and then got his MBA at MIT. He had a remarkable career with Exxon, particularly Exxon International. Early in his career he was assigned to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he lived with his wife, Nancy, and two children for five years. He then lived and worked in New Jersey for many years. After he retired, Jim and Nancy moved to Longboat Key, Florida, where he was involved in various activities, particularly as chair of the board at Save Our Seabirds. Jim loved spending time with his five grandchildren and traveling to foreign countries throughout the world.
Jim is survived by his wife Nancy, his daughter Elizabeth, his son Jonathan, and five grandchildren.
Jim with Jon, Nancy, and Elizabeth
Essay, 50th Reunion Book
by Jim Curtis
May, 2014
Jim Curtis
50th Reunion in 2014
In June of 1964 this particular Yale graduate had little direction — no idea what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. One year of work as a chemical engineer, however, convinced him that he was destined instead for something else — maybe business management? So — off to the Sloan School at MIT.
I was looking forward to the vibrant dating scene in Boston, but met my wife-to-be Nancy on a blind date before school even started. (The date was arranged by former Yale roommate John Aram’s wife). Best thing that ever happened to me and my grades! Nancy and I are still happily together after 48 years.
After MIT, Exxon beckoned. Two years as a young trainee in exciting New York City, then off to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with six-month old daughter Liz. Talk about culture shock! In 1969 Malaysia was a brand-new Muslim country, in the deep tropics, still developing economically, and in the midst of a nasty, racially-based civil war. But it became one of the most memorable experiences of our lives: deep, lifelong friendships developed, mind-expanding cultural experiences were had, son Jonathan was born. Our family treasures the memories.
Exxon was a great company to work for. Unlike its sometimes-public persona, I found the company to be highly professional, with challenging performance standards, strong ethics and a genuine care for people. I spent 33 years there, towards the end of my career running Exxon’s international shipping company. The final year I joined a small team putting together the Exxon–Mobil merger. To experience two companies from the same walk of life having such dramatically different corporate cultures was fascinating!
Retirement saw us relocate to Longboat Key, Florida, on Sarasota Bay. I keep the business instincts going by participating on the Boards of two non-profit organizations and serving as Treasurer of our condo association, while Nancy volunteers at a local bird sanctuary. This still leaves adequate time for the usual golf, kayaking and swimming et.al. Five Curtis grandchildren require frequent trips to Boston and New Jersey, and we also get together with former Yale roommates Rick Kroon, Travis Meredith and John Aram and their wives as often as schedules permit.
Looking back over our lives, we feel fortunate; while there have been the inevitable “bumps in the road” life has been good — too few regrets to mention. The future appears more problematic: the ability of the planet to withstand growing population, pollution and development; the growing disparity in wealth among peoples of the world, just to name a few issues. But maybe the future has always looked troublesome to those of the senior generations. In any event, our focus is naturally shorter now, and we in particular are looking forward to seeing friends and renewing acquaintances at the 50th!