Curtis Plott

November 5, 1936~September 19, 2021

Dr. Curt Plott spent a lifetime devoted to teaching and learning. After graduating from Occidental College, he spent three years in the Marine Corps and then went on to earn a Master's degree and a Ph.D. in education from the University of California. Upon completing his doctorate, he worked as a high school teacher in the L.A. area and then served as an assistant principal. During the next phase of his career, he joined the California Teachers' Association, serving first as Director of Instructional Development and then as Executive Vice President.

Eventually, Dr. Plott moved from the West Coast, and was hired to be president and C.E.O. of the Illinois Education Association, where he worked assiduously to advance the rights of teachers. During this time period, he attended the Saul Alinsky School for Community Organizing where he learned organizational techniques that focused on improving the living conditions of children and adults living in poor communities.

Dr. Plott left Illinois to join the Johns Hopkins Medical Institution as Director of Employee Relations. He managed the human resource program for the hospital and the University School of Medicine.

The last 18 years of his professional career were spent as president and C.E.O. of the American Society for Training and Development (now known as the Association for Talent Development). Dr. Plott was one of the country's leading experts on change and performance in the workplace. He expanded ASTD's activities to include workplace-based research, policy representation, international membership and significantly enhanced benchmarking services to corporations. Under his leadership, ASTD grew to an organization representing more than 15,000 companies in 100 countries worldwide. Recognized as a visionary leader and a dynamic change agent, Dr. Plott was awarded the top honor (the Key Award) by the American Society of Association Executives.

Curt will be remembered as a sports enthusiast; a tennis player with a killer serve; a voracious reader of nonfiction; a lover of theater, ballet and opera; an adventuresome traveler; a gent who liked to drink martinis; a Dapper Dan with a penchant for Boss, Brioni and Armani suits; a proud liberal and political activist; and the man who took his wife out to dinner every single night around 9 p.m.

Struggling with dementia and immobility during the last years of his life, he was lovingly cared for at home by his wife of 31 years, Lynda Jeffrey Plott. His recognition and deep love of Lynda never abandoned him. He proposed countless times to her in the final years of his life. True to his indelible nature, Curt was a Warrior until the very end. He did not go gentle into the good night.

The Warrior's wife would like to thank his faithful caretakers: Marques Darcelin, Mallika Gamage, Bryan Soriano and, most of all, our anchor for the last three years, Sara Flores Leon.

Dr. Plott is survived by three children: Michele, Michael and Lindsay as well as five grandchildren. A Celebration of Life service will be held in November at the Friends Meeting House, D.C.

If you would like to honor Dr. Plott's legacy, you can make a gift to his alma mater, Occidental College. (www.oxy.edu/giving) Checks may be mailed to The Oxy Fund, 1600 Campus Rd., M-45, Los Angeles, CA. 90041. Please include a note that your donation is in honor of Curtis Plott, Class of 1958.