Robert Laverne Curnow

CURNOW, Robert L., 89, of Richmond, died June 18, 2013. He is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Ann E. Curnow; two sons, R. William Curnow (Kathy) and P. Scott Curnow (Sheila); daughter, Constance C. Kingston (Lindal); ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Enlisting in the Army Air Corps on December 11, 1941, Bob was a member of the 13th Air Force/868th (H) Bomb (B-24 Liberator) group. Known as “The Snoopers”, he and his fellow airmen fought in the South Pacific Theater in WW2, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Air Medal and Purple Heart. Later stationed at S.A.C Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, he served as a nuclear missile silo commander. After retiring as a Lt. Colonel from the military in 1967, Bob and Ann returned to Virginia where they had met in 1945. Bob taught history to 7th graders and also started Curnow Development Company which he continued to manage until 2009. He was respected as a mentor, husband, father, father-in-law, uncle, cousin, brother, grandparent, great grandparent and friend to many. Nicknamed “Hawaiian Bob” for his great love of body surfing and Hawaii, he lived life “out loud”, embracing it with vigor, an infectious sense of humor, and a quest for adventure and travel. He was well-loved and will be greatly missed by family and friends. A memorial service will be held at a later date.