Randal Scott Curtis ...but you can call me Randy. Hello! I'm sure all of you who are visiting this site know most of this (who else but a friend or acquaintance would seek this out or find it). So there's really no point to this site, except as an exercise in web page creation, which seems reason enough I suppose. For starters, I'm wordy but you already reached that conclusion. Family Education Work Interests Year End Letters Etc. Other Things Of Interest About Randy Curtis - Boy Wonder, Hope of Mankind Silly Email "Getting to Know You Surveys" I Filled Out FAMILY I grew up in Rock Hill, MO in the 1960s and 1970s, the youngest of two. Like most older siblings, my sister Rhonda, bossed me around quite a bit when we were kids (think Lucy and Linus). That is until I was about nine, when for the first time, I won a fight with her (by slugging her in the mouth and chipping her tooth). She's never let me forget it but that was the last time we ever resorted to fisticuffs to settle our differences. By the time I left for college we had become good friends. We now share many of the same friends and play recreational volleyball together every Monday. I know our closeness is one of my mother's greatest joys. My mother raised the two of us essentially by herself from the time I was 6. She is currently retired, having worked as a 3rd and 4th grade school teacher at Lockwood and Bristol schools from 1969 to 2000. She has lots of interests, such as Jazz Club, the Blueliners, PEO, travel and just keeping in touch with her friends in general. There is little doubt that I'm her son based on physical resemblance but also in temperament, interests and values. Look for her brick outside the Missouri Historical Society: Nancy E. Curtis, Super Genius. As I got older, I realized that being raised by women (my Grandma Sullivan had lots of input too) was a bit like Mogli being raised by wolves in The Jungle Book. I learned many things from the ones who took care of me in my youth but I wasn't really like them in so many ways. I know it sounds obvious but I'm continually amazed at how inherently different men are than women. (and Viva la difference!). I did get a fine appreciation for musicals and show tunes though (I'll take Cole Porter tunes for $300 Alex...). EDUCATION I went to Hudson Elementary, only a few minutes walk from home and then to Steger Junior High, a bit more of a walk. Both are only a couple blocks from the original Route 66 along Manchester Road (the reason for this factoid will become apparent). Subsequently, I went to Webster Groves High School, the home of the Fighting Statesman. My "fighting" school spirit expressed itself more on the chess board than anything else. My buddy/Chess Club co-president Todd and I got kicked out of the library for gambling, which we weren't, but that gives you an idea of the type of people I ran with in days (and now for that matter). Looking at my 125-lb. physique in my yearbook picture, you can tell I was quite the ladies man back then. After an exhaustive search of colleges, I elected to go to the University of Missouri-Rolla.  OK so it's the only place I applied but for a kid from the "mean" streets of Rock Hill, it was a good call (especially since it was only about 100 miles down the way, on the old Route 66).  Besides I was surrounded by other nerds like myself and with few women to distract me, I was able to concentrate on my studies and upholding the ideals and traditions of a Miner education.  I got a degree in Geological Engineering and enjoyed it so much, I decided to hang around for another couple years and pick up M.S.s in Geo. Eng. and Engineering Management (not Theological Eng. as I've been accused of on a couple. My true education during this period came from the numerous activities outside the standardized curriculum, particularly my fraternity Pi Kappa Phi.  Yep, I was a shameless frat rat in the nerd house on an engineering campus.  Joining was one of the best decisions I've ever made, though I can't really remember exactly why.  Unlike my other members of the Interfraternity Council, it was at least partially a hope that it would be something like Animal House.  It was but without the paddling and I think we only got to single secret probation.  The pay off in friendship and knowledge has been priceless.  My roommate for 3 1/2 years was Jake, who was also a WGHS chess clubber. WORK In every job that must be done there is an element of fun. Find the fun and SNAP!...the job's a game. - Mary Poppins Most of the time I feel that way about my job.  I work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, here in St. Louis, though I and about 99% of my co-workers are civilians.  We're located downtown a few blocks from the stadiums on Tucker (yep, you guessed it, on the old Route 66).  I spent the first 6 years of my career there in the Dam Safety group but since the fall of 1994 I've been working in the Ordnance and Technical Services Branch (CEMVS-ED-P in government-ese).  Our group researches former and active military installations for environmental concerns, particularly explosive hazards and chemical warfare material.  It's not so much engineering as history but it is awfully interesting and I've traveled to about 30 states for the job.  The biggest project I've worked on is Dugway Proving Ground on the salt flats in western Utah, north of the Pony Express route.  In 2001, I investigated about a dozen Naval bombing and gunnery targets in northern California from WWII.  In 2003, I started work on the Presidio of San Francisco. INTERESTS Devil Dog Volleyball Tuxedo Park Brewing Company Sunday Dinner Group Randy's Movies Notes Travel Parties Camping and Kayaking   Other Things Of Interest About Randy Curtis - Boy Wonder, Hope of Mankind Elvis Connection - Ever since building a shrine in my upstairs bathroom to Elvis in 1993 for a party, the mysterious Elvis Elf has visited me Christmas Day.  Each year, he/she/them has left me a new piece of Elvis memorabilia, including "Girl Happy" signs, a Memphis mafia cookbook, a 15 inch hip swinging statue crooning "Blue Hawaii".  In retrospect, I should have built a shrine to another Tennessee boy, Andrew Jackson and may be have gotten $20 each year instead. Personal Hygiene - Shower and change underwear everyday whether need to or not. Musical Talents - Know all the words to the American and Canadian National Anthems.  Karaoke only when asked. Politics - Don't belong to a militia or other political cult groups, except for the Columbia House CD club, which I only joined in order to meet women. Gentleman - Almost always remember to say please and thank you; frequently apologies for passing gas (especially when noticed by others). Financier - Never been convicted of a felony, been indicted, or investigated for investments dealings but consider my purchase of a 1980 Triumph Spitfire one of the more savvy acts of financial acumen. Citizen - Can name several Supreme Court Justices and a few people in the President's cabinet. Fashion Horse - Never carry pens in shirt pocket away from work.   RBJC Curtis Family Front Page