Hugh Curtler’s book, Alone in the Labyrinth…
Many in my WordPress circle are groping for solid ground today, as we adjust to the news that our friend and mentor Hugh Curtler is no longer in this realm. For several years his health had been failing, and he mentioned a need to back away from stressful topics – a big one was politics. He later mentioned a battle with cancer, but usually nudged the attention away from his health – and in the direction of the musings of the day.
He was a master at weaving his epistles into thought-provoking musings that made us reach deeper than the sundry layer of intellect. I mentioned to Jill Dennison (https://jilldennison.com) that “Hugh was always the lighthouse, always there, always supportive – nudging the best out of all of us and at times challenging us to reach deeper and retrieve the best of our best. He also had a subtle way of punching our buttons in good ways, and he probably snickered about that at times when we reacted!“
Our contact with him was via the blogging world, and his silence stretched far too long. We hoped for a smoke signal, but his absence from the WordPress community suggested that his was a difficult battle. There is now one more star in the heavens, smiling down and watching over us.
For a peek into Hugh’s world, Jill shares a sensitive testimonial here: A Short Tribute to a Good Man.
In addition to having a masters in philosophy and being a cherished professor, he was also renown for coaching the Southwest Minnessota State College women’s tennis team. The SMSU online newsletter states, “…Curtler served as SMSU’s head women’s tennis coach for 14 seasons (1979-92), building a powerhouse program that produced 172 victories and five NAIA All-Americans.”
The NorthernSun.org stated, “SSU’s superiority in tennis lasted for a decade as the Mustangs went undefeated in the conference from 1983-92. Overall, he had a won-loss record of 169-83. The Mustangs won 18 consecutive dual meets, in and out of the conference, from 1981-83 – a school record for all sports. They won nine Northern Sun Conference titles and 10 NAIA District 13 crowns. In 1992, SSU had a perfect conference tournament, winning every point. ”
(The accolades stretch so far in both links that a copy/paste in entirety might border on plagiarism!)
For an old photo of ‘Coach Curtler’ on the courts with former player Martha Garzon, see the 2019 feature about the Hall of Fame honor. SMSU Tennis – Serving up Success.
Jill and I hoped to find some old footage of Hugh playing tennis, but so far no luck. I was pleased to find this just now – a short feature when he was honored with the (tennis) 2019 USTA Northern Hall of Fame Award:
Those of us who knew him would agree to Jill’s eloquent statement, ” Today, I am saddened by the loss of Hugh, but enriched for having known him.”
To quote my friend Giovanni, “…our friends are turning into stars in the sky…”
Michael Kiwanuka’s Solid Ground serves as an appropriate song – not only for remembering Hugh, but also for the many people who are living in the hardest of times.
May our species learn to live in peace.
Our friend Keith has also written a beautiful tribute: Our Friend has Passed On
I stated to Keith, “It will take us a while to adjust to the news; as it is said, ‘It’s easier to move on than to be left behind,’ and we know that his spirit zoomed to that white light where he was greeted with, “Good Game!’ by our #1 Coach.”
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Lisa, what a lovely tribute to Hugh. Thanks for including the You Tube piece where he speaks about starting a tennis program at the university where he taught. And, thanks for letting me know of his passing. I have provided a link to this post in my short one. Take care, my friend. Keith
You also gave a beautiful tribute, which I’ve added to my post. It was a sweet comfort to find that video, where his sweet demeanor reaches us as if in a parting farewell.
I hope that your day is filled will serenity and peace, as we adjust to this news.
Love, Lisa
although I was unable to read any of his posts listed in the tribute
without making a WordPress account, I am always humbled and amazed by folks who are so well balanced between the worlds of deep thinking and sports. Sounds like I’d enjoy checking out his book.Thanks to all for enlightening us about this bright flame; it warms even from the other side
Hi Lee, and thank you for your kind words about someone you never knew; Hugh was a selfless person, owner of a great mind, gifted teacher and had a fun sense of humor.
Thanks for mentioning the problem for reading the linked posts in Jill’s blog. I followed the links, and realized they went to her ‘reader’ page, so I followed that (via WP) one more skip to a link that will probably work for you. Here they are for your convenience:
There is one more that he wrote that probably was to punch my buttons and see if I’d take the bait – which I did. It was titled Are Poets Mad?
Here’s my retort:
Sorry for the loss of a person that was loved by so many.. Here in the Twin Cities his death was given a lot of press and very much comments of love. i never knew he was a blogger. Thanks for the post, Miss Z.
Thank you, Don, especially for the extra information about the Twin Cities notifications. I found very little via the online searches, so it’s good that his life was honored in the press.
He certainly touched a lot of lives up here.
I’m not familiar with him but he was obviously a very special person. I’m sorry for your loss and for everyone he touched. Don’t we all hope this is said about us when we die: ” Today, I am saddened by the loss of Hugh, but enriched for having known him.”
Hugs,
janet
Yes, you’re right, he enriched our lives – he was an anchor and presided over a somewhat ‘faux’ classroom that stretched around the world! Mentor, always the mentor, yet the philosopher who nudged us to look deeper…
What a beautiful tribute, Lisa! Thank you so much for the video … he will be missed by many, I know. Hugs!
Thank you, as well. The video first played (for me) in the late hours of the night, when the city was silent. So serene, observing a moment caught in time, and ours to cherish forever. His family must surely miss his sweet presence.
I’ve been considering sending a card to his family … but I don’t know if that’s appropriate or not. Your thoughts?
I actually thought about the three of us writing something – we have no postal service that works here right now, so i can write and email to you or keith, and then you pass it between the two of you — and all three pay our belated respects. They probably did not realize that many of us had no way of knowing how he was doing – but that we care/cared deeply for him. So si.. or you can write one and include my name and my condolences…
That’s a great idea! Yes, just write one and email it to me and/or Keith. I’ll pass this idea along to him and see what he thinks. Yes, it might make his family happy, knowing how many lives he touched even after he retired!
Dear Lisa and Jill,
What both of you have blogged about and commented on our mutual friend Hugh since his passing has been highly commendable. Hugh will definitely continue to be missed by those who knew him well. His essence will live on in his ways and charms that touched our hearts and minds.
I am grateful that Hugh had the generosity to interact with so many of us amicably. I have specifically mentioned him in my expansive and highly analytical post entitled “The Quotation Fallacy“, which you can easily locate from the Home page of my blog. Where I mention him is near the end of the first section of the post titled Introduction: Fostering Quotational Excellence. For whatever reason(s), “The Quotation Fallacy” happens to be my most popular post, for it has garnered about 240 comments and 740 likes. I am very honoured that one of the comments there originated from Hugh.
To my delight, he also submitted a comment to my post entitled “🦅 SoundEagle in Best Moment Award from Moment Matters 🔖🏆“.
I had been diligently reading a large number of his blog posts, which became more infrequently published as his health deteriorated. I hope that his blog will remain accessible to the public in perpetuity, for it is one of the greatest testaments to the intellect and humanity of an unassuming and kindly scholar. He is definitely a person who would have been liked by another recently deceased scholar, Edward Osbourne Wilson, to whom my post entitled We have Paleolithic Emotions; Medieval Institutions; and God-like Technology is dedicated.
Yours sincerely,
SoundEagle
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend, Lisa.
Thank you, Cindy. We are all adjusting to this news.
So sorry for your loss, Lisa. Hugh obviously was loved and respected far and wide. May he rest in peace.
Yes, he was loved by many.
It’s always good to stay in touch with you and your beautiful family – and your unique life.
You also are cherished by many. Thank you, WordPress, for allowing us to know so many amazing people we truly consider our friends and extended family.
I did not know Hugh but we definitely got a wonderful picture of the person he was due to your and Keith’s post. Thank you very much for this beautiful tribute. It shows how much appreciated and loved he has been.
Thank you, Erika. He was a rock – always there, holding a special spot of positive energy for all of us who found our way to bask in his selfless attentions. You provide that selfless goodness, always nudging us to see the positive side of life, to reach for the starts while also staying firmly planted in reality. Thank you for all that you do! Love, Lisa
What I learned (and probably never cease to learn) is that only in searching the positive, in everything that appears the complete opposite, we will find the meaning behind everything and grow in our awareness to hopefully avoid too many painful experiences. And also, in trying to make a difference in othere people’s lives, your own life experiences a difference too.
Thank you for your lovely words. And again thank you for introducing a wonderful person to us that has definitely left a big and lasting footprint in our world. Much love to you too, Lisa!
Thank you for sharing his story. Truly a beautiful, warm, uplifting tribute to such an amazing Man with so much heart and talent.