Commentary: Team Hill pays tribute to Mayor Curtis

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  • Team Hill Leadership Editorial
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Team Hill lost a friend and an exceptional leader in Layton City Mayor Steve Curtis, who died Nov. 29. Mayor Curtis was a true patriot, marked by his outstanding service to the United States Air Force and Hill Air Force Base. He will forever be remembered, especially by those of us who knew him personally.

Our base has many fond memories of Mayor Curtis. He attended and supported nearly every Team Hill event. It seemed he never missed an award ceremony, leadership school graduation, ceremonial event or deployment homecoming.

He was appreciative to be part of Hill AFB and provided a bright smile and firm handshake to those he shared moments with. His zest for life and community, along with his great integrity, also extended into his professional business with Team Hill. He not only served the Layton community, but he devoted countless hours to bettering the base and the lives of Airmen assigned to Hill AFB. A true innovator, Steve was a charter member of the Hill AFB Public-Public/Public-Private Partnership or P4 initiative. He was a reliable and hard-working member of the executive committee of the P4 group and a driving force in seeking out ways for the community and base to work together that had never been tried before.

"I was always amazed at just how much he supported Hill AFB," said Maj. Gen. H. Brent Baker Sr., Ogden Air Logistics Complex commander. "He attended almost every community event and was Team Hill's biggest fan."

"Every time Mayor Curtis attended an event, whether as a guest or as a volunteer participant, he always made a point to thank us for letting him be part of Hill AFB," said Col. Lance Landrum, 388th Fighter Wing commander.

All who had the great privilege of knowing and meeting Mayor Curtis, will remember him for his optimism, compassionate nature, bright smile and warm personality that touched us all... he was truly one of a kind.

"We are all blessed to have known and worked with Mayor Curtis - our wingman, friend and an exceptional leader," said Col. Kathryn Kolbe, the 75th Air Base Wing and installation commander. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Steve, RaeLynn and their children during this difficult time."

Mayor Curtis was a wonderful man who made an extremely positive impact on Hill AFB as the Layton City Mayor. He will be sorely missed by Team Hill.