I have known Chuck since I was a little girl. There are so many stories that I could share but one really special one to me was when I was little girl my dad shared a story with me about Chuck while they were working at the Lemon Grove station and about how he had arrested a kid with long hair who was intoxicated. The guy had told Chuck that he had to use the bathroom Chuck told him and he couldn't go to the bathroom just yet. The kid told Chuck if you don't let me go to the bathroom I'm going to pee right here on the floor . Chuck said oh no your not! the guy peed on the cell floor and Chuck picked him up turned him upside down and mopped up his pee with his hair. I thought that was one of the single most cool stories I've ever heard and I used to tell all my friends and anyone I knew that story and about how lucky I was to call that person my friend. Chuck and his family weren't just friends to my family and I they were family. We spent many thanksgivings and holidays together and it was always a special time to be with them. I love him very much and I will miss him forever. As my dad would say to quote one of my dad and Chuck's favorite cowboys Roy Rogers ...Happy trails until we meet again! My heart goes out to the entire Curtis family I love you all. It was a true blessing to have Chuck in our lives and that we get to call him our friend!
Tiffanee

Rest in Peace, My Friend. I enjoyed working with you.

What a beautiful photo tribute to Uncle Curt. His was truly a life well lived, both in service to others and his love of family. 
Barbara Reynolds Christmann

Goodbye Uncle Curt 
Thanks  for loving the family 

I have known Chuck since the early 70's.  He was just arriving or I was just leaving the bailiff section.
I met up with him again in the mid 70's at the Lemon Grove Station. We worked at the station for a number of years together.  He was a sgt and I was a traffic deputy.  He later was the Detective Sgt.  I was promoted and left for the Descanso jail.  I came back to LGS and Chuck had gone onto bigger things. We
kept in contact.  Our paths always crossed.
Chuck was involved with the Deputy Sheriffs Association as I was.  He later became President. (not sure what years)  As time moved on I became President. This would be sometime in the late 90's.  Chuck retired from the department.  I saw an opportunity for the DSA to have a representative on our board who would be a spokesperson for the retirees. (RDSA) Chuck was my first pick.  In the past Chuck kept abreast of the retirement and insurance issues.  The DSA board at the time thought this was a good idea since we would all be retirees some time in the future.
I retired in 02'.  Bob Torbett was President of the RDSA and wanted to step down.  He  approached me to see if I would be interested in "jumping back into the frying pan" and become President of  RDSA.
I accepted and Chuck became Vice President.  A short time later we traded positions.  Chuck was still the retiree rep on the DSA board.  He would be best suited for president.  This lasted a year till the then 
President of DSA felt there was no need for a retiree to sit on their board.  So Chuck and I switched back.  Chuck felt that he was done with being on a board and gave up his chair.  Bob Walker volunteered.

  We did the 120 day thing for about 5 years.  We did security work for a very rich guy, and "piss"tested  NFL players. Did security at Qualcom, did some security at the Jamul reservation.  
You were a friend, big brother and a good sounding board.
Rusty Burkett


Chuck played a big role in each of Betsy and my Department life. He was in Personnel and hired Betsy as a deputy. He was very straight forward with her in the questioning aspect and asked the hard questions. She respected him ever since and loved to give him a big hug at the retirement luncheons. I was a patrol sergeant and Chuck was setting up a party at the Oxbow when one of his detectives crashed into a parked car. Chuck bribed me with a quart of Jack Daniels to do the supervisors investigation. I did it!   I replaced Chuck as detective sergeant at the Lemon Grove Station and remembered all the great advice he gave me. I got into trouble with Cement Head and got transferred out shortly thereafter because Betsy and I were secretly dating and CH didn't like that. Chuck was one of the few who stood by us and believed we could make it work. It's been 32 years since and he was right. I loved trying to snatch his bread off his dinner plate at the retired luncheons and eat it. It really pissed him off! We were out of town and missed his funeral but held our own celebration of life and toasted him with our love. I know he and Bob Sams are together again laughing!

Chuck -  You were one of the most beloved and respected men on the Dept. and I was proud to know you for over 30 years.  I first met you when you were assigned to Court Services and I was working in Fraud, after we had moved up to the Mezzanine.  As a fellow crossword fanatic, it was a race to see who would get in to work first to make copies of the day's puzzle.  If anyone had the temerity to try and write on the original, they soon found themselves in trouble with Chuck.

You have  had such an enormous impact on the personnel whose lives you touched with your wisdom, knowledge and graciousness.  We all know there will never be another, as no one could ever fill your shoes.

Chuck was a true legend! He was always gracious with his time. He told you what you needed to hear, not what you wanted to hear (lost art). It was a pleasure working for him. He taught me about leadership and taking care of your people. There are many rooms in His house. Happy Homecoming my friend.

Chuck was my grave shift sergeant out at the old Lemon Grove Station in the time frame around 1976.  We had the same sense of humor so I enjoyed a lot of laughs thanks to his witty comments regarding the non-sense experienced in law enforcement.  He always made sure the deputies on his shift had what they needed but also let us do our job.  I left San Diego in 1979 to take a law enforcement job in northern CA then retired in 2004.  Chuck is one of the guys who has come to mind over the years.  Most notable in my memory is his mischievous grin.  Rest in peace, Chuck.

I had just resigned from the San Diego Police Department, July, 1973, after five years there, my last day being a Wednesday.  That Friday I reported to Civil/Baliff at the Courthouse downtown early AM as a now Deputy Sheriff.  I was nervous, tentative, and very uncertain if I had done the right get thing.  It was a major move in my fledging career and I was uncomfortable to say the least.  After a brief meeting with the Lt., I was told to report to the Superior Court, Department #2 and find deputy Chuck Curtis who would show me around, explain my duties, and guide me through the process.  He was pleasant, professional, and made me feel comfortable in my new surroundings.  I immediately realized that I had done the right thing and from that time on, I never looked back.  

Our paths crossed many times over the next thirty years and he remained as steadfast, professional, and competent as the first day I met him.  Always a class act.  My he continue to do so in the hereafter.    

Chuck was one of the finest men on the Sheriff's department.  I first met Chuck in the early 90's as he was my Lt.  He was a crossword master.  We spent many nights talking about life on the back dock at CJ and I loved to hear his stories...We later spent some of our free time banking tables at Viejas....Chuck was a good friend, mentor and confidant....his loyalty and dedication to the department were unmatched...RIP my friend.

Chuck was the first person I met on the Sheriff's Department.  I was a Marine looking for the next adventure.  I met Chuck at a recruiting event at Camp Pendleton in early 1980.  He helped me to become a Sheriff's deputy.  He had a true impact on my 32 year career.  Chuck was a great guy.

Chuck was one of the men which I respected most.  I joined the Lions Club in Spring Valley when he was still a member and he always knew the proper question to ask at our board meetings.

Enjoyed more than a few adult beverages with him at the Oxbow Inn.  Always a lot of fun and was a pleasure to be around.  Enjoyed having him come by when I was playing music so I could play his favorite song, "Soft Rain".  My list of songs that I've done in the past still has his name beside it to remind me that it was his favorite.

Shared too many great memories to list on this page, but always remember him with love.  I'm sure that he and Bob are having a wonderful reunion...


He is being missed...

Cindy (Joe) and Henry, our prayers remain with you today. Know that you are loved.  We are so sorry for your loss. 

Cindy.....My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.  As I watched the video  of your dad...I did not realize how much both you and Henry look like him. He lives on through both of you. I did not know your dad except through conversations with you. It was very clear how much you loved him.  I have no doubt he returned that love .Take care my friend and just remember the great memories you have of your dad.
Hugs.....

Working an event at the Sheriffs Museum in 2015

Labor Day weekend when the whole family came to visit. Cindy and Henry from Colorado, Charlie from Washington DC, and Lani from Texas. 

I feel so blessed to have been able to work along side my Grandpa for 4 years at the Sheriffs Museum. 

Hangin with the guys down at the Sheriffs Museum

That one time we almost got eaten by a shark 

I met Chuck (Dad) for the first time over Labor weekend 2018. From the first hand shake I knew he was someone special. 
We met at the Sheriff's museum so he could give us a private tour and I took full advantage to drill him on all the details of his career. We were late for lunch because he never hesitated to answer any questions. He was especially proud of the room that he got to design that  memorialized  others in his department.
 As I spent the weekend in his home with his family I became aware of his attention to detail about the victims in his career more than his accomplishments. He was happier about the changes that had taken place within his department than he was about the changes that he had instigated. 
I was so looking forward to our next visit with him and devastated when I learned that it would not happen. 
 My only comfort comes in the fact that such a strong man was allowed to go quickly and with dignity.  

Chuck teaching kids at the Sheriff’s museum. Doing what he loved, until the day he passed.

Thoughts and prayers to family and friends.
  -Eric,Beth and Family
            

Chuck and his grandson, Henry. So grateful for this visit. 

One of my favorite pictures of my Grandpa. 

His body may have gotten weaker but his mind never did. Doing the crossword puzzle was a favorite pastime.

Dad was so pleased that Kumar joined Annie and him in the rocking chair.

This is Annie. My dad adored her and he was her world. I can see by the sadness in her little face that she understands. We will get through this together.
~Carol

OBITUARY

Charles Brent Curtis

August 24, 1943 – September 28, 2018

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

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