This was my Mom's speech at the Kidney Foundation that she gave when she presented the scholarship award to Ryann Proctor (well at least the part she did not adlib) If you want to read more about the event click
here.
If you want to watch the video about it, click
here.
Here is the speech.
I have been asked to tell a little about Curtis. He was ambitious from a very young boy; nothing seemed too hard for him. I guess that’s why he climbed the power pole, causing the loss of his legs.
Curtis worked at jobs out side of the home when he was in the 6th grade helping the grade school Janitor sweep floors after school. He started moving irrigation pipes while in Jr High. Something young men and boys did to earn money.
He and his friends when not working would find fun things to do like building a lean-to along the river close to where we lived. When done with that would say now what will we do? They built a clubhouse and furnished it with items from their parents’ homes. They played ball and biked.
When I stared back teaching, he and his younger brother did the breakfast dishes and made their beds before we left for school. What he did he did well.
Curtis received his Eagle Scout at 14 before any other boy his age in our ward; it was all on his own, and he received the Order of the Arrow. He also received his Duty to God Award.
Curtis was a natural born leader and worked very hard at what he did. Curtis was Vice President of the Student body, Sports Editor to the school paper, when he was a senior in high school.
While at
Ricks College (now BYUI) he designed wheelchair entrances to buildings and ramps. He also did the same at BYU, while he was there. It was one of the few Universities in the nation able to handle handicapped students at that time.
Curtis received two Bachelors degrees and a Masters in Education at BYU.
As you know he won the Boston Marathon in 1980 and more at St George. He would run in the July24th pioneer
Marathon many years and won most of them.
Curtis was a great son, we may have had differences, but never left without saying we loved each other and meant it.
Curtis loved his family; he was a wonderful father and grandfather. He loved spending time with each of the members of his family and playing with his grandchildren.
Curtis loved his Heavenly Father and was always devoted to his callings, he had many of them. He loved people; he tried to make everyone feel special. He was patient, kind and spoke to every one.
He reached out to those in less fortunate circumstances and gave them an example and a “WILL” to achieve greatness in their own lives.
Curtis was not selfish and shared his achievement with others though his motivational speaking. He wanted everyone to believe in themselves the way he believed in them. He lost his legs but never his spirit. He had a great smile for everyone.
He wanted people to know like he said in his first book a “WILL TO WIN” no matter what your trials may be set goals and go for them.
Arroyo Willow
