DL Capt. Curtis Ross "Curt" McIntyre

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, DL Capt. Curtis Ross "Curt" McIntyre

December 24, 1958 ~ May 14, 2025

 

Curtis R. "Curt" McIntyre lived a life as a studious and enthusiastic follower of Jesus Christ. Curt was born on 24 Dec 1958 and died on 14 May 2025 due to Diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma at age 66. He lived an extraordinary life filled with adventure, challenges, and unique experiences…………………………

Curt joined Delta Air Lines 05-19-1988 and was Seattle based.  He is survived by his wife Sherry, and by his children and stepchildren, plus many more dear friends and relatives.

 

PCN memorial site

 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/dailyinterlake/name/curtis-mcintyre-obituary?id=58640008 

 

Curtis McIntyre Obituary

Curtis Ross "Curt" McIntyre, 66
Curtis R. "Curt" McIntyre lived a life as a studious and enthusiastic follower of Jesus Christ. Curt was born on 24 Dec 1958 and died on 14 May 2025 due to Diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma at age 66. He lived an extraordinary life filled with adventure, challenges, and unique experiences. He had a big heart and loved large. Loyal, positive, dedicated, and energetic, Curt laid down his life and lived for Christ. His faith guided his endeavors.

Curt was born in Colfax, WA but his family moved to Whitefish, MT two weeks later where he was raised. He had an idyllic childhood with extensive hiking, camping, water sports and skiing. As a Whitefish High School student, he was a private pilot, Eagle Scout, junior and senior class president, and captain of the football and track teams-where he was an all-state defensive end and set a school record in the discus throw. Curt's parents were small plane pilots, and he got the flying bug at an early age. In 8th grade he saw the USAF Thunderbirds perform at a Boy Scout jamboree and vowed to become a professional pilot. After graduation, he received several college scholarships and appointments to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY and the United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO. He chose the USAFA and majored in Aviation Sciences, with minor work in Aeronautical Engineering. While at the Academy he was an alternate member of the Flying Team, a member of the Rodeo Team (bareback bronc specialist), and on the Dean's List. Following graduation, Curt was retained shortly at the USAFA where he and another officer (Dave Chapman) designed, engineered, and built a man-powered aircraft that set an (unofficial) world altitude record. He was then assigned to USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training in Oklahoma for a year. He earned his first-choice aircraft and location: a C-141B with basing in Southern California. Curt excelled as a pilot, rapidly becoming a world-wide qualified aircraft commander as a 1st Lieutenant at age 24. He went on to be qualified in combat airdrop formation flying, air refueling, Special Operations Low Level (SOLL), and became an instructor pilot and flight examiner. He flew missions to all continents and points all over the globe including over the North Pole and landing on the ice in Antarctica. He led a 12-ship formation in the USAF's highest visibility airdrop mission, Gallant Eagle '86. He also amassed combat support time taking the 5th airplane into Grenada under enemy fire in Operation Urgent Fury, 1983.

Curt separated from the active duty in 1988 and simultaneously accepted a commission as a reserve officer in the USAF Reserve and a position as a pilot with Delta Air Lines. While a reservist he flew combat support in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the First Gulf War. Curt bypassed command of a flying unit and career advancement in order to devote time with his young family and moved them back to Montana in 2003. Later he became an Air Liaison Officer (ALO) and worked with students and families interested in the USAF Academy and AFROTC scholarships. He served as the commander of Montana's ALOs for 3 years.

As an airline pilot, Curt amassed 15,600 hours flying the 727, 737-200/300/300G/700/800, 757, 767, MD-11, A-330, and A-350. He held FAA ATP and CFII Instructor licenses. He was a strong supporter of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). As a captain, Curt took great pride in transporting his passengers and crews in a safe, efficient, and fun manner. His contemporaries lauded him as a consummate professional.

Curt was somewhat of an adventure adrenaline junkie. In addition to being a world traveler and jet pilot, he was a white-water kayaker, scuba diver, hang glider and paraglider pilot, sky diver, and extreme free skier when he was young. He had knee, shoulder, and hip surgeries plus many scars as souvenirs from his extreme adventures.

Curt, and several partners, also started and built several businesses in the Flathead including Naturally Clean, Inc. dry cleaning, Siyeh Vista, LLC and Rising Wolf, LLC property management, and Camas Creek Partners real estate development.

But it was volunteer service that was where Curt's heart was when he was not flying. He served as an assistant scout master for Boy Scout Troop 1917, a hospitality and prayer assistant for Shepherd's Hand Free Clinic, and a director and board chairman for the Flathead Municipal Airport Authority (Glacier Park Int'l Airport). He was a member of several area churches including Christ Lutheran, All Saints Episcopal, Whitefish Calvary Chapel, and Canvas Church.

An always open-minded and curious person, Curt was an intellectual who read voraciously and engaged people to learn new thoughts and ideas. His friends were world-wide, and he saw the world from many unique perspectives. He was a graduate of the Air War College and earned MS and MBA degrees from Embry-Riddle University, and a PhD equivalency in military flying. Curt could argue and prevail on either side of most debates, much to the chagrin of both his conservative and liberal friends, and he was staunchly independent in most of his outlooks for most of his life. As he aged, he became more progressive because of his faith and integrity. But most of the time he was quiet and reflective, and enjoyed hiking and camping in the Montana mountains in the company of his children, friends, and family.

His family was his most important treasure. His wife Sherry was a Christian soul mate that he shared love and a life of purpose with, and he cherished and adored her. His son Ryker and daughter Tori were his raison d'être he often said, and he loved them and obsessed about their welfare. He was devoted to his parents and cared for them in their senior years.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma proved to be a sticky disease and challenged him for a year and a half. He was grateful to the healthcare professionals in Kalispell and the Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle for their professionalism, empathy, and care during his affliction.

Curt is survived by his wife Sherry, son Ryker, daughter Tori, stepchildren Paulette, Nick, Annalise, and Vince. His cousins Donna McIntyre, Dr. R. Campbell and Reba McIntyre, Michael and Marilyn Kelch, Dr. Scott and Shelley McIntyre, Lance and Sandra Margeson, Liz Sandin, Dr. Wendell Cottle and Barbra McPherson, Stuart and Toni McPherson, Dr. Michael and Janet Boltwood, Peter and Janice Werle, Marsha Swedin, Ranne and Holly McIntyre, Kjell and Laurie Swedin, Stephan Swedin and Susannah Frame, Christopher and Julie Swedin, Brian and Jenny Baxter, Peter and Talley Nichols, Andy McIntyre and Jessi Williams, Manny and Ashley McIntyre, Jonathan and Stephanie Kelch, Ben Kelch, Markham and Alexa McIntyre, Kayla McIntyre, Scott and Jesse Sandin, Sean and Shannon Sandin, Katie Sandin, Iain and Rachael McPherson, Allison Boltwood, Lian Boltwood, Andrea and Greg Hileski, Jim and Carrie Margeson, and numerous other 2nd cousins. Curt's best friends and USAFA classmates Maj Gen Brian Dominguez and Delta Captain Dave Chapman were closer than brothers. Close friends Phil Milne, Mark Lemly, Steve Burglund, Chris Schaefer, Chris Hansen, Fritz Baake, Greg Dvorak, Ken Banks, Steve Johnson, Chris Wilds, Wendell Burden, Steve Robinson, and Ken Wuttke.

This was a man who tried to do it right. Always positive, overly optimistic, always trying to live life to its highest ideals. He died before conquering bucket list items of flying a small plane around the world, driving a combine, living in Europe and New Zealand for a period, and fully mastering the German language. What he did do with his big heart was inspire, teach, lead, love, and share his faith.