ARRL Assistant Roanoke Division Director Anthony R. “Tony” Curtis, K3RXK, of Laurinburg, North Carolina, died on January 23. He was 74. Curtis served twice as an Assistant Director — from 1986 until 1997 and again from 2002 until his death. Known as “Dr. Tony” to his mass communication students at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Curtis, who was licensed at 14, was a space and Amateur Radio satellite enthusiast and occasional guest speaker. He also contributed to QST. An ARRL Life Member, he was involved in emergency preparedness and held ARRL Field Organization appointments as Official Emergency Station and Volunteer Examiner.

“The department lost a valued colleague and a good friend, and he’ll be deeply missed,” Dr Jason Hutchens, chair of the Mass Communication department, said.

Curtis began his teaching career in 1967. Before arriving at UNCP in 2002, he taught at Penn State University, Ohio University, Salisbury University, The Union Institute and University, and Hood College. His colleagues described Curtis as an educator who always made time for his students and had a hands-on teaching style.

At UNCP, he received an Outstanding Teaching Award in 2012 and was named the Most Valuable Professor in 2012 and 2013. He had served as chair of the faculty senate and as president of the Friends of the Library Board.

Curtis founded ARCsoft Publishers, which specialized in science publications, and he wrote more than 70 books about computers, communications, space, and astronomy. He also contributed to several regional and national publications, including Popular Mechanics and The National Observer, and he was a public relations consultant, serving as a speechwriter and a field press secretary.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.