CURTIN, Ronald Martin (Ron)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 01/25/2013 Ronald Martin Curtin, 56, of Show Low died Jan. 5, 2013, of cancer at home. He was born May 24, 1956, in Monmuth, Ill. Ron attended college in St. Cloud, Mo., to earn a bachelors in biology. He held a masters in education administration from Phoenix University. He also attended school in Texas to earn an associates in music. Music dominated much of his life. At 16, he traveled to Russia with his school’s music and Russian club (Ron spoke fluent Russian) to perform. He started as professional musician at 17, playing guitar, bass guitar, bass violin, keyboards and performing lead vocals. Ron was incredibly talented – he could listen to a song twice and reproduce it. He gave music lessons all through his career. He and his band performed in 46 different states and all through Canada. High points included opening for the band Styx and playing at the same venue as The Monkees. He also played at the Grand Ole Opry. Between his music travels, Ron and his parents purchased a bar, ‘The Iron Curtin,’ in Hector, Mo., and he had a hand in running this as well. Ron and his partners then built their own 50-unit hotel in Sand Point, Idaho, near Schweitzer Basin. He spent three years in hotel management before going back to school to earn his education certificate. He has taught sixth grade in both Minnesota and Arizona, then moved to teaching junior high science. In 2007, he and his family moved to Show Low. There, Ron became a valued member of the Show Low High School Science Department, where he piloted and won grants for a new Arborculture program. Ron met his wife Susi in 1987 in Idaho and they married in 1988. His first son, Patrick, was born in 1988 and his second son, Dan, in 1990. Ron is known among friends and family as having a total 100 percent positive attitude and being an “idea man.” He had an answer for every problem and his upbeat, cheery presence has always been a strength for those around him. Ron had always been recognizable in his cowboy hat, his vest and immaculate Western attire, driving his American-made truck, grinning and shaking hands and always bringing levity to even the most stressful situation. Ron was always sensitive, caring, incredibly thoughtful and generous with his time and wit and wisdom. Ron’s charisma was legion, and his friends remember him as an excellent listener with sage advice. Ron enjoyed his life, cherished his family and friends and filled every moment with his contagious enthusiasm. His mother and father share this Indian proverb that fits Ron perfectly: “When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.” Ron is gone, but he lived every moment of his life, so that in his 56 years, he has lived more than many people with twice that span. Words cannot express how he has touched and helped so many others, and his life is an example of someone who set his dreams, followed them and achieved them. Ron is survived by his wife, Susi; sons: Patrick and Dan; parents Peter and Emily and his brother Ken. Services will be announced at a later date for friends and family.