Friends Celebrate Jack Curfman’s 85th Birthday

It was more than a party -- a “pat on the back” -- for the many remarkable ways Jack Curfman touches the lives of others. More than sixty special friends gathered to wish Curfman a happy birthday on June 30 – the exact day he turned 85.

The celebration took place in the new Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising, a facility that mirrors Curfman’s radiant personality. In Dean April Mason’s welcome to the guests, she joked, “I’ve heard that Jack retired from the College eight years ago, but you could have fooled me!” Curfman retired from the Department of Design and Merchandising in the spring of 2001, after a distinguished 50-year career teaching interior design.

“Jack dreamed with many of us this dream of what is now the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising, part of which is this classroom where we sit today,” said museum curator Linda Carlson, Curfman’s long-time friend and colleague.

Curfman plays a pivotal role in the Museum designing the textile exhibitions. He has a special talent of envisioning how the viewer or guest will see each piece and the entire flow of the exhibit.

Several guests shared touching words about the mark Jack has left on their lives and work. Carlson recalled Curfman’s 79th birthday, when he joined her in Scotland and spent the day wandering through Paisley in search of houses designed by early 20th century architect McLennan. “When we peeked into one particular yard, the lady of the house invited us into her home, and even woke up her children so we could see their rooms. We spent the day, had tea and muffins, and had a lovely visit.”

Brian Dunbar, a family friend, former student, and colleague, agreed that “Jack seems to appear out of nowhere to touch our lives.” When Dunbar asked the guests “Who in this room has learned something from Jack?” every single hand in the room rose. Dunbar shared, “I often think, what would Jack do in this situation? What would Jack say? What would Jack see here? What would he take from this?” But of these many things, “most of all, what we’ve all learned from Jack is altruism. Jack is always giving. He always wants to do for others. What a great thing for all of us to learn.”

Curfman’s legacy lives on in many ways at the University, one of which is through the Jack Curfman Creative and Visual Design Scholarship Endowment, which provides scholarship support to design students who show creative promise. Since the creation of this endowment, 12 scholarships have been awarded to students. In Mason’s words of thanks to him, she said, “It’s inspiring to think of the many students who will benefit from your endowment for decades to come. It’s quite a ripple effect and a wonderful legacy. Thank you, Jack, for your generosity.”

“I am blessed because of you,” said Dunbar. “Jack, this is more than ‘happy birthday’. This is a ‘happy delightful life’ to you.”

If you are interested in giving to the Jack Curfman Creative and Visual Design Scholarship Endowment, please visit the online giving page or contact us.

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Contact:  Kim Winger
Telephone:  970.491.2797
Email:  Kim.Winger@colostate.edu