It isn't often that you run across someone who can have an affect on your life. It isn't often that he or she can be a friend. It isn't often that he or she can be a great friend. I was blessed, because Dick not only had an affect on my life, but was also a great and cherished friend.
Dick was someone who had an impact on everything he did. He seemed to always have that smile on his face, which made you wonder what he was thinking or what he was up to. That smile was there when he was ready to crack a joke, make a snappy reply to a comment, or to let you know something crazy was going to be happening. It was there to show that he had achieved what he wanted to, as well as when he expressed his joy when a friend, teammate, or classmate achieved a goal.
Crazy happenings were pretty common with Dick. We were involved in all kinds of shenanigans that kept that smile on his face, as well as mine. On one occasion, we drove down to the Twin Cities and visited a friend for the day, after telling our parents that we were going to see a friend in a neighboring town. We never really said which town, or what was considered a neighboring town. We made it down and back in record time, as the infamous Charger had all of the cylinders cleaned out more than once. That also included flying through a stop sign just west of Cloquet that we didn't see until it was too late. When we got back, my folks asked how our friend was and looked at both of us. Dick smiled his smile. No further questions were asked. We also collaborated on Dick doing a performance for the senior class magazine drive. Coming on the stage to the pep band's rousing version of "The Stripper," Dick wore a blonde wig and pranced/danced around. He gave a good example of what not to do in order to get magazine orders! After all was said and done, our class set a record in sales. After the announcement of the record, I went to thank Dick for what he had done to spur sales. There was that smile. During the summers, we would get together after work and go on a swimming binge. We would go from beach to beach across the east end of the Iron Range, taking a dip and checking out the scenery. We would hit a minimum of three beaches in an evening. After that, we would go to whatever drive-in was close and have a bite to eat and drink tanker-fulls of root beer. We kept A&W, as well as Frost-Top, in business. There was also the time that I got a phone call at Three in the morning from Dick, inquiring how you could make a sauna hurricane-proof and keep the building inspector informed as to what a sauna was and happy with its construction. That smile was more of a long and deep laugh as the conversation progressed and solutions to the problem became more ludicrous. These were just a very small number of things we did together that come to mind.
Dick was always there to pick you up if you were down. His wit and sense of humor seemed to always pick up and elevate your spirits. The reassuring smile was there, showing he was being successful in making you feel better. He was always there to show his support, cheering on other teams and his teammates, and encouraging them to try harder and exceed expectations. When others were successful, the smile was there to show his appreciation for the effort and the recognition of the goal achieved.
Dick worked hard to make something of himself. He served his country for many years as an Airman in the Air Force, as well as in the Veteran's Administration. He was able to elevate his skills to levels where he helped others more often than he would let on. He never took credit for something he had done and done well. When commended, he would only smile.
He so loved his wife and family. He never stopped talking about them and how much he loved them. When he did, that smile of love and affection was always there. There was also a twinkle in his eye that could not be missed.
Dick had an impact on me, as he was an outgoing and fun-loving individual who was always looking for new and exciting things to do. I was pretty quiet and more of a wall flower. He got me to quit being so serious about everything and to have some fun with life. As our friendship grew, I came out of my shell and became more outgoing. I learned to have more fun and let little things go instead of worrying about them. Life became more fun and, with Dick, more adventurous and spur of the moment. Again, the smile was always there, saying "What can we do next to get Matts to think I'm crazy?" For this; I was, am, and always will be grateful.
Close friends are hard to come by. I truly was blessed by having God give me Dick Curtiss. I'm sure he is still smiling.
