Curtis R. Cameron

Curtis “Curt” Cameron - beloved father, grandfather, and veteran - passed peacefully at age 99 in the comfort of his home on February 2nd, 2023. Curt was born during the Great Depression on January 11,1924 in Nowata, Oklahoma to Herbert and Elizabeth Cameron. He was the third of nine children. Curtis entered military service during WWII, as soon as he was old enough, on 3 February, 1943. He began active service on 10 February, 1943, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He trained as a Glider Mechanic and qualified on the Carbine. On 11 March, 1944, he was sent to the ETO as a member of the 440th Troop Carrier Group, 95th Troop Carrier Squadron. Their ship arrived on 22 March, 1944 at Stone Scotland. The Group was stationed at Fullbeck, England. As a member of the 45th TC Squadron engineering unit, Curtis was responsible for keeping the gliders in top condition and with the weather in England that was a difficult task. He was also involved in the major operations making sure the gliders were loaded correctly before take off. His first operation was Normandy. The 440th TC Group was moved to the continent on the 2nd of November, 1944, and were stationed to the advanced landing field at Orléans, France. From Orléans a group of glider engineers went to Holland to reclaim gliders and Curtis was a member of this group of engineers. Curtis's most important work during the war was in salvaging gliders flown into the combat zone. Reclamation, the recovery of gliders used in combat, was a difficult and complicated job and went on from October 1944 through March 1945. At times gliders were in areas that had to be “snatched” by a C-47 and Curtis was a copilot in some of these CG-4A glider snatches. One thousand nine hundred (1,900) CG-4A glider sorties were flown in the Holland mission (A Bridge too Far) between the 17th and the 23rd of September. Of those gliders 146 were recovered. This may not sound like a lot but the Varsity operation (invasion of Germany) was in need of these gliders. Working all winter, Curtis’s unit was crucial to the success of the invasion of Germany by supplying enough gliders for the operation. Curtis was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Medal, the Good conduct Medal and the Distinguished Unit Citation. After the war he spent time working to build the Thule Air Force Base, Greenland. From there he was a troubleshooter for a major car company and then finally settled in Ft. Collins where he married the love of his life, Patsy, on December 16th, 1964. Curt stepped into Patsy’s family in stride, becoming dad to her five kids. He worked as a master mechanic for 40 years and kept his hands busy in retirement by crafting custom wood-carved toys and furniture. He also loved going fishing, traveling to Alaska to visit his step-son, Larry, from a previous marriage, and square dancing with Patsy. He started serving on the Ft. Collins Honor Guard in 1983. In 2005, he and Patsy were recognized as Hometown Heroes for their participation in the The American Legion and Ladies Auxiliary. In 2007, Channel 7 News awarded Curt as a “7 Everyday Hero.” He has his history in the Library of Congress. (Library of Congress Veterans History Project https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.07213/#item-service_history He was also interviewed by Brad Hoopes for the Remember and Honor Stories https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEso54sRVI4&t=2426s In the Fall of 2021 Curtis was honored during the National WWII Glider Pilots' Symposium held at the Air Force Academy under the Command of the 94th Flying Training Squadron. Curtis gave a live interview with the previous Commander of the 94th FTS. Five thousand cadets honored his presence during their lunch. Curt is survived by his children Clark Standiferd (Tracy) of Loveland; Susan Zen (Raymond) of Sterling; Cindy Standiferd of Durango; Craig Standiferd of Sterling; Wendy Cameron (Keith Hall) of Westminster and stepson Larry Levon of Kenai, Alaska; 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, February 13, 2023, 11:00 am, at Bohlender Funeral Chapel, immediately followed by an Interment with full Military Honors at Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: The Ft. Collins All Veterans Honor Guard Ft. Collins Meals on Wheels Friends of the Talking Library

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Curtis R. Cameron

January 11, 1924 - February 2, 2023