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Tributes Flood In For Ed Curtis

Ed Curtis, stalwart supporter of SCI and SCI Foundation passed away suddenly on March 26.

His unexpected passing affected all who knew and worked with him on his various committees and projects that benefitted SCI and SCIF.

In an official statement, Jim Hammill, Conservation Committee Chair, and Chris Comer, Director of Conservation, wrote;

“It is with deep regret and sadness that we at Safari Club International Foundation recognize that our colleague Ed Curtis lost his battle with cancer in late March. Ed was an enthusiastic hunter and tireless advocate for our freedoms to hunt and the wise use of wildlife world-wide. Ed served on many SCI committees, was an SCI director at large and was a long-standing member of SCIF’s conservation committee. Ed particularly enjoyed hunting Africa and was deeply involved with urban deer control efforts in the Detroit area. Ed was dedicated to the missions of SCI and SCIF.

ed curtis“To those of us that worked with him regularly, it was clear that Ed’s commitment to SCI and to conservation reflected his personal love for wild places and wild things.  The outpouring of stories from those influenced (hunters and non-hunters alike) by his generosity his enthusiasm for the outdoors and wildlife has been truly inspiring.  His ability to communicate that love of the outdoors to such a wide range of people around was a real gift.

“We will all miss his enthusiastic devotion to the outdoor life that we all cherish.”

In addition, Ed’s companion Vianna von Weyhausen wrote;

“As many of you will know by now, my beloved Ed Curtis passed away after an intense but short battle with esophageal cancer.  He and I spent a beautiful Christmas and New Year together in the Caribbean, where he was healthy and happy. On returning home, a routine endoscopy led to a diagnosis of stage IV cancer.  Sixty-six days later he was gone.

“I will be eternally grateful that his suffering was so short-lived, but I am broken-hearted that he was taken from me, and you all, so soon.

“I am sure, however, that where he is now, he is at peace, happily walking the great hunting ground that is the cosmos.

“Following the tragic and unexpected loss of the force of nature that was Ed Curtis, his sister Patti, his closest friends and I, have decided that creating an anti-poaching canine unit in his name is the most fitting way to honor his memory.

“Ed was at his happiest when in the bush in Africa, and he was Canines for Africa’s biggest fan. For those who might not know, K94A is a 501(c)3 that creates full-force apprehension dog-and-ranger units and deploys them in reserves across Africa.  Through a dog to be named K9 Curtis, Ed’s spirit will be catching bad guys and saving his beloved wildlife for years to come.

“A unit costs $32,000. This includes the fully trained dog, ranger training, extensive equipment, deployment expenses and ongoing support for one year. We will be setting up a communication platform in the near future for all those who would like to receive updates on the achievements and successes of K9 Curtis – and on the mischief he will no doubt get up to!

“We invite everyone who would like to help memorialize Ed in this way to please make a donation, either through the website http://k94a.org/  or by contacting me directly via WhatsApp: +44 7774 117571 or Email: [email protected].

“Due to the worldwide travel restrictions currently in place because of the coronavirus, we will postpone the celebration of his life until the summer, when we will scatter his ashes at his favorite hunting site in Michigan and I imagine drink large quantities of rum!

“I will let you know more details of this event once they are confirmed.

“Thank you to all of you who shared a part of your life with him.

“In love and faith, Vianna”

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