Roll Call Tribute

Published in (Harlingen) Valley Morning Star on May 25, 2016

Curtis A. Rhodes
Irmo - IRMO, SC Curtis A. Rhodes, Ph.D., loving family man and mechanical engineering professor for 49 years, died very suddenly on Friday May 20th of a ruptured aortic dissection (a torn artery very near the heart). A Graduate of Texas A&M University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Melon University, he continued to study, learn and teach through his last days.

Curtis enjoyed his many years of teaching and his students; he taught close to 2000 students since "retirement" 10 years ago. On occasion, students would mention that their parents had been in his engineering class many years ago. He still made time to tutor them in math at his desk at home, mostly on Sunday afternoons, sometimes in a mixture of old time country music, college football, and coffee.

His professional associations included American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Before coming to USC, Curtis worked at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

After a very successful hip replacement in December 2015, his vistas were wide and plans for family trips were numerous. This picture was taken in March 2016 while in Iceland with his family. Curtis was a member of Columbia Sailing Club and enjoyed sailing and racing with his wife on his San Juan 21, as well as sailing strategy. A Texan, he loved his farm roots and returned to his Texas family and farm annually. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 49 years, Suzanne Hughes Rhodes, his daughter Sandra Rhodes (Ed White), sons Craig (Lisa Bishop), Kent, Scott (Glen Troiano), and two grandchildren, Mark Curtis Galutia and Kimberly Ann Galutia. He was predeceased by first wife Laverne Dickerson Rhodes. He is survived by two sisters, Marjorie and Geraldine Rhodes, of Blanco Texas.

He loved nature, gardening, birding, and viewing wildlife in his yard. He was beginning to bicycle and enjoy walks again after the December surgery.

The family is planning a memorial service in the future. Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the USC Educational Foundation, Memo to Curtis A. Rhodes Scholarship Fund. Mail checks to: University of South Carolina, Office of Gift Processing, 1027 Barnwell Street, Columbia, SC 29208.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

Funeral Home
Dunbar Funeral Home - Devine
3926 DEVINE ST Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 771-7990
____________________________________________________________________________
Dunbar Funeral Home - Dutch Fork obituary
7600 WOODROW ST, IRMO, SC 29063 | 803-732-2211

Curtis Alvin Rhodes
September 22, 1932 - May 20, 2016

Curtis A. Rhodes, Ph.D., loving family man and mechanical engineering professor for 49 years, died very suddenly on Friday May 20th of a ruptured aortic dissection (a torn artery very near the heart). A Graduate of Texas A&M University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Melon University, he continued to study, learn and teach through his last days.


Curtis enjoyed his many years of teaching and his students; he taught close to 2000 students since “retirement” 10 years ago. On occasion, students would mention that their parents had been in his engineering class many years ago. He still made time to tutor them in math at his desk at home, mostly on Sunday afternoons, sometimes in a mixture of old time country music, college football, and coffee.


His professional associations included American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Before coming to USC, Curtis worked at Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory.


After a very successful hip replacement in December 2015, his vistas were wide and plans for family trips were numerous. This picture was taken in March 2016 while in Iceland with his family. Curtis was a member of Columbia Sailing Club and enjoyed sailing and racing with his wife on his San Juan 21, as well as sailing strategy. A Texan, he loved his farm roots and returned to his Texas family and farm annually. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 49 years, Suzanne Hughes Rhodes, his daughter Sandra Rhodes (Ed White), sons Craig (Lisa Bishop), Kent, Scott (Glen Troiano), and two grandchildren, Mark Curtis Galutia and Kimberly Ann Galutia. He was predeceased by first wife Laverne Dickerson Rhodes. He is survived by two sisters, Marjorie and Geraldine Rhodes, of Blanco Texas.


He loved nature, gardening, birding, and viewing wildlife in his yard. He was beginning to bicycle and enjoy walks again after the December surgery.


The family is planning a memorial service in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the USC Educational Foundation, Memo to Curtis A. Rhodes Scholarship Fund. Mail checks to: University of South Carolina, Office of Gift Processing, 1027 Barnwell Street, Columbia, SC 29208.