Phillip John Curtiss, 55, passed away peacefully and unexpectedly at his home in Butte, Montana on Monday, May 23 2022.
Mr. Curtiss was born February 28, 1967, in Providence Hospital in Washington D.C to William and Ada Curtiss.
He attended Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland. He continued his education at the University of Maryland and later obtained his PHD in computer science. He was the Founder and Principal of InfoMine of the Rockies and Siafu Technology Group In Butte, Montana. In 2015 he joined the staff of Montana Technological University as an Associate Professor of Computer which during his time he impacted the lives of many young students and gained the respect of his fellow colleagues.
Phil, was known for his witty sense of humor and his caring heart. He lived his life unselfishly, always focusing on family and others before himself. He never complained and demonstrated daily courage even though he was faced with many illnesses throughout his life. His pet cat, Salem, who lived to age 27 was a tremendous companion and showed Phil’s love for animals.
He is survived by his mother, Ada Curtiss of Fredericksburg, Virginia; bothers and their spouses, Steve and Hope Curtiss, Jim and Betsy Curtiss, Kate and John Molloy and Joe Curtiss and several nieces and nephews and many close friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Curtiss.
Please join us for a Celebration of Life organized by Montana Tech at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at the Butte Brewing Company, 465 E. Galena in Butte. Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86102941240. Please bring your favorite stories and memories to share.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be sent to Science Mine, 36 East Granite St., Butte, Montana 59701. Donations can be made in his name.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or share a memory of Philip.
Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Philip and his family.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday June 1, 2022
Butte Brewing Company
465 E. Galena
Butte, MT 59701
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday June 1, 2022
Butte Brewing Company
465 E. Galena
Butte, MT 59701
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Colleen Elliott says
Devastating news. Phil was one of the very best people I ever knew. My deepest condolences.
Renata Birkenbuel says
So awful to hear. Phil was very kind-hearted and professional whenever I interviewed him for the Montana Standard about his technology work. My sincere condolences to his family and colleagues at Montana Tech.
Zachariah Valenzuela says
Phil was the most inspirational figure of my entire life. I studied under him for 4 years at Montana Tech, he is the reason I am successful today. I owe everything to him for the simple fact that he truly believed in me. I had very tough moments where I wanted to throw everything away and just quit, he never let me. From Science Mine projects to monotonous day to day classes, he always found a way to reach me, which is no simple task. His bright and cheerful spirit would always turn my bad days around and make my good days great. I owe everything to him and I am devastated I was never able to let him know. Phil, you were so much more than just a professor, you were a friend. You will be truly missed. Thank you for everything.
Anonymous says
Meeting and getting to know Phil was one of the luckiest things to happen to me in the last few years. He was such an incredibly smart and caring guy, while also being a true realist. Without Phil’s help, my thesis would have been in shambles. He pretty much solved its greatest flaw almost single handedly, forming an entierly new focus. He never held it over my head, I think he was just happy to help. He always gave good advice. Often, I would come to his office, asking his a stupid question about programming, like “How does a compiler work”, or “what is a kernel”, and instead of brushing me off or giving me a quick amd simple answer, he would be more than willing to patiently explain exactly what I asked, often spending hours just to give me a slightly better understanding of a process. I later just began talking with him in his office when he was free just because he was a really fun guy to talk to, usually at the end of the day on Fridays. Even if something was not academically related at all, he wouldn’t mind going on a deep dive of the subject. We would spend hours talking about politics, or personal grievances, or programming, et cetera.
I will really miss our talks. He was always so damn smart. Even after I finished my program and left, he would still want to talk to see how I was doing, and give me more great advice.
Phil was such a caring and selfless man. He was a real friend. He also had such a happy and distinctive laugh that you could recognize from across a building. I think he really loved life and learning new things in a way which was very special.
I could say a lot of other things, but the long and short of it is that he was a great guy, very unique, and I will really miss him.
Goodbye Phil.
Jim Wright says
Phil was a wonderful person who remained cheerful in the face of adversity. He always had the welfare of others and his community in his heart. His ready smile and keen intelligence will be missed. May his memory be eternal.
Mansfield "Kasey" Kaseman says
My wife Dianne and I were privileged to know Phil as a high school student and follow his every turn through the years thanks to the friendship shared between him and our son Roger. We admired him for his compassionate heart, courage in the face of physical infirmity, wisdom regarding our human condition and humor of diffusing tension and nurturing relationships.
Thanks to Roger’s reports and periodically sharing conversations with Phil and Roger on phone, we grieve with and for Roger, all Phil’s friends and especially his family. May we remember that grief is the price we pay for love, and in memory of Phil recommit ourselves to living and loving with greater abandonment.
Tricia DeGrandis says
Jim, Betsy and family so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you all during this time and always.
Linda and Tom Miller says
So sorry to see this sad announcement today. Our sincere condolences to you and your family ❤️
Tom Conger says
Dear old friend, i am saddened by this news. You were always a good friend to me growing up. You had to always work harder than everyone else and never complained. Our paths havent crossed in many years but none the less i will miss you. Your friend, Tommy Conger jr.
Anonymous says
It was saddening to hear of Phil’s death. He was the best, and my favorite, CS professor. He was a kind man, had a good sense of humor, and will be missed dearly.
Brit Keith says
I was deeply saddened when I received the news of my friend Phil’s passing. I was so blessed that I had Phil in my life and all the things he did for my family and I. He had a huge impact on my life and inspired me as he did with so many others. The biggest heart anyone could have that was very obvious from the very first day I met Phil, he was bigger then life, that showed everyday with how he treated everyone he was around and the great lengths he would go for them. What to most would be unsolvable and unstainable issues in business and life, somehow Phil always seemed to be able to show others a solution or an approach to it that laid down a path to make those issues solvable, achievable and come to life. His problem solving abilities were out of this world, its like he already knew the answers and what needed to be done. He was such an amazing listener and had a knack of seeing the true potential in others before they could see it or knew it themselves, Phil would guide these individuals to see the true potential in themselves in a way that not only would they feel really good about themselves, but also a path to success that will last a lifetime. Phil never took or wanted credit for this, he would just say the potential was always there and give the individuals he helped the credit for achieving their potential and success. Phil was a true lead, always leading by example. Without Phil believing and turning on the light for more people then any of us will ever realize, several people’s lives would not be what they are today. This World lost a very good man and the only Super Hero to ever live.
Phillip is the most Genuinely Authentic Quality person anyone could meet and have the great fortune to be around, so incredibly intelligent and very modest about it all. Such a kind soul and so caring, always putting everyone else first. Phil is the hardest worker I have ever known and he really enjoyed doing what he did with such enthusiasm which was very inspirational for anyone that was around him. His day had already started while most people were pushing the snooze button for the 3rd time and his day would end while others were already fast asleep, he loved doing what he did, Phil’s energy level and dedication was unmatchable. His sense of humor was awesome! He could put a smile on anyone’s face and have conversations with you that would leaving you hurting from laughing so much. All of Phil’s quality’s he had would take up several pages to write all of them out, thousands of qualities!
All of those qualities came naturally to him, he didn’t even have to try, its who he was. The majority of us only possess a few of these qualities if we are lucky, Phil was the entire package and so much more.
The combination of computer/networking knowledge, mathematics, and science that Phil knew and understood was remarkable. He knew how to put all that together to do remarkable one of a kind things that will never again be matched. It led to some of the most incredible projects, some of which I had the great fortune to be a part of and learn in ways that cant be taught, only shown. Phil was no doubt was a genius, a computer wizard, on intelligence level that is out of this world…….he wouldn’t admit to that of course, but it shined brightly with every interaction and conversation I had with him. Most importantly though Phil was a people person, he loved life, loved to help people in their most difficult and darkest times, and he was very appreciative of his family and friends. That is what sets Phil apart from all the other historical intelligent figures that we only get to read about in books and never get to meet. Phil could have been millions of miles ahead of all of us if he wanted to be, but for his love of life and the people around him, he chose to share his intelligence and not leave anyone behind, he wanted everyone in his life to be right there with him to share the success.
I’ll never be able to fully express what all Phillip had done for me throughout my life or even know how he had the time to do it, he did the same for so many others too, he could juggle things so well, he was very selfless. It was so much fun working for him and after I moved away we continued to work on projects together. I had the fortune of being around other very smart people as well, it was fun being around them and Phil at the same time. I witnessed so many times Phil making these senior network and computer experts that were incredibly smart and intelligent as well, look like amateurs. Phil never did it intentionally or in a mean way to make them feel or look bad, but in a positive way showing there is a better solution to get to the finish line. Being around Phil, he always made you feel very important and like a million bucks. I owe a majority of what I do in my everyday life to Phil, how I approach and execute things with my work and about anything in life is because of what I learned from Phil and how he inspired me and continued to do so until the very end. He always encouraged me to reach out to him with any issues I ran into and always had the right words encouragement and suggestions to keep me going in the right direction. Not only did I have the honor of knowing and being part of Phil’s life, but he was also the greatest friend I have ever had. So happy and blessed our lives crossed, you will be deeply missed my friend and nothing with be forgotten!
Thoughts and Prayers to his Family, Friends, and Colleagues
Britman
Darryn Richards says
Hey my friend. Missing you everyday. I know you’d want me to be happy and move on. But with the way you touched so many peoples lives in a genuine way it’s impossible to move forward without sadness. I’ve learned so much from you I just hope I’m smart enough to implement it into my success. You know my fear with things I just talk myself out of doing what it is I wanna do so much because I am scared of failure. But you always told me never to be afraid to fail and I have to honor that and go try it. I’m moving to Vegas buddy, I’m gonna be out west where you loved. I am gonna go to Montana to visit because to me, you are Montana now. I’ll always view me visiting Montana as coming to see you. I love you man I’m so hurt without you here this isn’t fair. Such a dark world we live in and you don’t have to live in it anymore. You’re too good for this earth we live on. I’ll text you again and again forever man. I’m never deleting your phone messages even if it gets turned off, I’m Gonna keep sending you messages. I Love ya buddy, Rest In Peace.
Darryn Richards says
I’m gonna move to Montana when I am 55 Ish. Because you are Montana like I’ve said now 100x. And I feel like I wanna spend the rest of my days with you buddy and being there will be the closest thing to being near you. I keep repeating myself I know. But like, I just have to get all of this off my chest. Maybe you weren’t meant to leave Montana man. Your heart was there. I wish I coulda done more for you man. Sound familiar? I don’t think I’ll ever stop writing you and pretending you are responding to me. I talked to some sort of a grief therapist and he said to pretend that you’re writing back with me obviously writing it. But I just wish you could really reply and me not just talk to myself because that’s pretty much what I’m doing now :(. I have nobody. I’m all alone. So this is the best I have right now to cope. I saw a chicken tortilla soup in the gas station last night. Wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. My mom misses you too, she wanted to be your talking buddy as well. She was looking forward to you coming to Florida and meeting the whole family. They all were. But as the cruel adage goes “‘man plans, god laughs”. From breaking bad. Remember?
Remember I made you watch tiger king haha. You were like “good god I wasted hours of my life watching that”. But, you enjoyed it because we watched it. And that’s what makes you different man, you enjoyed others joy but tbh I do too. I always loved hearing you laugh I always tried to make you laugh all the time. Even if I made a bad joke you laughed because you know I tried to make ya happy man. Why did someone like you have to leave 🙁 . My father was like you man, a good man and caring genuine person, stripped away from me when he was only 46 years old. And you were there to prevent me from falling too hard. An ear to bend whenever and you never got bored or angry or upset. You listened, you analyzed and you problem solved. Like a genius would. You are a genius man, and I hated when you downplayed it. But it’s funny because I did the same thing with my physique. We were the same man, just on opposite ends of the spectrum haha. Which makes it even more awesome. As always, I love you brother, and I’m always thinking about you that will never ever change. I love you philip. Forever man.
Darryn Richards says
I was supposed to become a billionaire man and build you that underground bunker with the pipe that comes
Out on top and smokes and the radio tower you always said you wanted. You were there through every relationship I went through, calmed me when I was sad and were always there to talk to. I can’t Accept this man, this has to be a hoax. We just talked days ago. You’re not gone man. You can’t be. You literally were the only positive thing I had in my life. Everything else around me is surrounded by negativity and pain. You always had a way to make my stress feel lighter, even when I felt like atlas holding up the entire world On my back. I can’t thank you for how much knowledge you have given me over the years. You’ve truly helped shape my mind and become more of a genuine human being than I already am. This world needs more people like you Phillip. It’s evil here and dark especially without you my friend. I’m angry, at the fact that I have to accept I will never see or hear from you again, and that I can’t do anything about it. Whenever I go and whatever I do, I will always make sure you are remembered. This life just isn’t worth enduring the pain without you here man.
Jacob Vesco says
I couldn’t have asked for a more impactful and caring professor. Phil was so impressive as a professor, not a single one of us in our degree thought anything less of him. I know I’ll miss him, his humor, and his teachings. I was waiting for the day I could go back and tell him how impactful he was; how I wouldn’t be where I am today without him. I hope he knew how important and impactful he was to me and many others. On a lighter note: Phil, I’ll never forget the time our class had to explain to you what the shadow realm meme was. When I found out that it was being recorded, I lost it because that was so funny. Bless you Phil, and I hope you are doing good wherever you are now.
Peggy Warren says
Kathy, Ada and the family. I am so sorry for your loss. May your loving memories bring you comfort for the days ahead.
Carrie Vath says
Phil was such an incredible professor and advocate for student success. I always appreciated his love of arts and sciences. He will be missed.
Anonymous says
i told him i was going to marry him when we were 8 or 9 years old.
Sue Schrader says
I really got to know Phil when he, Rita and I started teaching a course together although I already considered him a friend. We all spend a lot of time together working on the class to make it better and work towards a goal of more multidisciplinary classes across campus, and showing people in all disciplines how important data science is. With teaching that class, I found my ‘crew’ among the faculty at Tech, and with Phil I found someone who shared a lot of interests.
My favorite memory….when my dad passed away a few years ago, I put his two old calculating machines in my office. One was pre electricity, using a mechanical crank to do mathematics. Phil was the first person I told about these, and he came over to check them out, and we reviewed videos on how to use them. It’s now a memory of both my dad and Phil.
I’m heartbroken that he won’t be able to pursue his research at the Roux Institute, he was so happy and excited about his opportunity.
Arj Devadas says
I’m only sorry we didn’t reconnect as adults. I would have told Phil that he was always a nice guy growing up. And yes, a smart one too. I do remember in 5th grade that Phil was sick and unable to attend school for weeks. I would take turns with others in our class to bring assignments and get well cards to him at his house. I smile today when I read all the heartfelt tributes and posts of people you’ve taught, inspired and made friendships with. Indeed, you did well my friend. Rest in peace, Phil.
Ray Rogers says
I was truly devastated when I learned of Phil’s passing. Over these many years, Phil was not only an amazing colleague, he became one of my very best friends. Phil was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. Phil was undoubtedly one of the most intelligent people I ever met – on any subject whether it was designing a new telescope, building a thorium reactor, religion, philosophy, cooking, or the latest movies and TV series. While Phil was amazingly gifted with his intelligence, what impressed me most about Phil is that he ALWAYS led with compassion and caring for others. Despite all of the craziness in his life surrounding his lifelong illnesses, he never ever complained. He always asked first about others before letting on about himself.
Phil was an amazingly gifted teacher … he had the ability to take really, really complex topics and break them down so his students (including me) could understand. All of our clients also shared this sentiment.
And Phil had the best sense of humor …. there were so many times on our trips with the Air Force that Phil would have our team laughing hysterically. And his humor would emerge at the most precise times!
I always knew that when I was with Phil, he cared deeply about my family and me … and we cared deeply for him. We shared many meals together, and I will miss our long discussions about work, family, food, and solving the biggest science problems on earth. Phil was always cheering Pat Dudley and me on with our efforts, and I’ll always remember him for that. He and Pat are up there now reminiscing and laughing.
I never imagined that Phil would leave us quickly! I have so many things left to chat about with Phil. My life is immensely better having had Phil as a friend. He will always be a part of me, and I feel so blessed for the time we did get to spend together.
My sincerely condolences go out to Phil’s family, friends, and his students.
God bless you Phil! May you rest in peace – you are free now!
Jamey says
I wasn’t even one of Phil’s students. I was just a “nobody” at a “fork in the road.” I stopped in one time, many years ago to ask Phil a few questions. He was more than happy to accommodate. From then on, he became a friend of mine. I must say he was the nicest, most caring professor at Montana Tech. He was warm, friendly and welcoming. It was comforting to know that he was right there, in one of a couple of places in the Museum building where we could visit and pick up where we left off, last time. Within the last couple weeks or so, I was wandering around in the Museum area and Phil was coming in a door. He greeted me warmly and we walked and talked our way to his office and had a short, but nice visit. He never, ever turned me away. He took time out of his busy schedule to talk with me. I could hardly believe it. And, I always appreciated any advice Phil gave me because he truly did care about others. After I read the message from the chancellor about Phil’s passing, I had that “sinking feeling.” Things will never be the same without you on campus. It’s too bad that Montana Tech doesn’t have more instructors like Phil. He was a rare “gem.” Phil, I hope you realize how many people loved and respected you for just being your genuine self. To Phil’s family and friends, I send my most sincere condolences.
Pat & Jan Munday says
Phil was a kind and generous man, and thoughtful in all things. He generously opened his cozy apartment to host our movie club/potlucks, and you could always count on his keen insights into the film plot and digressions into the dire state of politics in America. On the Montana Yech campus, our encounters were marked by similarly thoughtful exchanges. Phil, you earned a place in our hearts and we miss you.
Christopher Smith - MTech 2019 says
Phil was such a great support during one of his advanced CS classes I took. Having studied primarily in the geophysical engineering and mathematics departments, I took a leap of faith based on a introduction/talk where Phil literally said, “don’t worry, I’ll help you out when you need it”. So I enrolled in one of his 400-level classes to learn how to code asynchronous simulations. To say the least, very advanced.
I was so surprised by how humble and helpful Phil was. If there was an office hour for this class, I was there. Not sure he really knew what he was signing on for with me. HA.
Phil was such a great person. I am saddened by his passing. I will definitely remember his smile and laugh.
Phil, we will miss you! You are a rock star! Thank you for everything you did to help me learn and become a better and smarter person.
Andrea Gonzalez McCord says
I had the privilege of being one of Phil’s students recently. He was very kind and supportive, even as my studies tanked and I was pushed into withdrawing, or rather especially then. He was wonderfully encouraging of intellectual curiousity and play.
I loved chatting with Phil at length whenever his office hours weren’t being put to better use, which was rare. He talked a lot with me about accomodating disabilities in academia, and I was stunned to find out he’d walked into the woods so early. I may not have known at all, but I had to log into my student email randomly and the campus-wide message just happened to be near enough the top to read.
My two favorite memories of Phil: One day in lecture he had drawn a chart on the board and needed to add an extra column. He began at the top right corner, then began iterating:
right one cell
down one cell
left one cell
About two rows in people starting groaning. By the end we were all going, “Phil, WHY?!?” I was in stitches. It was a terrible chart, and he committed to the trainwreck fully. I asked if I could take a picture for the student ACM discord group (I just checked, and it’s still there. March 29, 2021, in #general), and he labeled it, “my awesome grid” and posed.
Another time, I emailed him after a group presentation to thank him for laughing at our group’s data inclusion choices. I confessed to having intense stage fright, and told him that it really put me at ease for the rest of our time in front of the class. He replied to my email with some amazing advice (and a few kind words at the end referencing the hardships I was facing at the time, which did end up leading to my withdrawal from studies):
“Andrea,
You are most welcome.
I think it a rare person who is totally conformable presenting to folks.
I also think there are two (2) dominate routes to becoming comfortable with doing so:
-Adopt a persona: which seems to be the dominate one, from my experience. This doesn’t fit me and I think is generally a bad fit for technical fields and presentations. In general it functions to mask the person, bringing forward a (generally poor) composite of the individual that attempts to be unnecessarily authoritative on the subject matter, often putting off either (a) a non-welcoming air for further exploration of the information presented, (b) a kind of affect inconsistent with the mastery of the material, (c) or both.
-Own ones humility: exude the level of understanding and mastery of the material you need present, acknowledging the place on the grand-learning-curve you occupy, but also recognize everyone else in the room is also on this curve, just at different places; the Jeremy Bearimy of learning curves, if you will ;). There is great power in this kind of posture relative to those to whom you are presenting. It is definitely a more welcoming and open and inviting stance that cultivates an exploration. And it even allows you, as a presenter to draw the most awkward table in an Algorithms course, if you have the opportunity ;).
I truly hope you are doing ok and surviving your present day, able to allow yourself the energy, time, and resources to make an incremental improvement today as you contemplate and head into tomorrow.
All the best, Andrea.
Phil”
I loved that man with all my heart, for the all-too-short time I knew him. I look forward to partying with him and Ada Lovelace in The Good Place, when I eventually make it there myself through incremental improvement.
Blessings to his loved ones,
Andrea