TOGUS – Arthur Perry “Bud” Curtis, 87, of Bowdoinham, died at the Veterans’ Administrative Medical Center on Monday, Nov. 19.

Bud was born Oct. 25, 1920, in Presque Isle, the son of Cleveland Perry and Susan Elva Sparks Curtis. He attended Bowdoinham schools and was a graduate of Morse High School in 1939 and Bowdoin College in 1944, graduating Summa Cum Laude. After college, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He married Shirley Ann Douglass in Brunswick on June 1, 1946.

He worked on his father’s dairy farm in his youth delivering milk products in the Richmond/Bowdoinham area. He eventually owned CP Curtis Insurance Agency for 31 years, taking over from his father who founded the business and retired in 1996. He served as town manager of Bowdoinham for seven years along with duties as tax collector and road commissioner. He also served as a state representative to the Maine Legislature for two terms from 1968 to 1972.

He was a devoted Grange member of Merrymeeting Grange 258 for more than 65 years. He served as deputy master of the Maine State Grange along with his wife, Shirley, who was a junior deputy. He was a 50-year member of the Village Lodge 26, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, having served as master. His other numerous activities included membership in the Knights of Pythias, the American Legion, Disabled American Vets, as well as a leader in both the 4-H Club and Boy Scouts of America. He loved being a Boy Scout leader, often reminiscing about the great times at Camp Hinds with scouts from the local area.

He enjoyed community service throughout his life. He served the town as an elected selectman; was the secretary and treasurer of the Bowdoinham Fire Department Association for more than 40 years; a founding member of the Bowdoinham Water District; a founding member of the Sagadahoc County Conservation Committee; and a founding member of the Bowdoinham Credit Union. He also served as chairman for both the Sagadahoc Republican County Committee and the Sagadahoc County Republican Town Committee.

He was a devout member of his church, the Bowdoinham Second Baptist, where he served as a deacon, trustee and treasurer for decades. He taught the adult Sunday school class there, which he dearly loved. He enjoyed studying the Bible and completed several classes at the Bangor Theological Seminary. He also served as a member of the executive board of American Baptist Churches of Maine.

He is survived by two daughters, Susan J. Hackett and husband, Steven, of Bowdoinham and Rebecca A. Curtis and husband, John Kersey, of St. Petersburg Beach, Fla.; a sister, Margaret A. Derocher of Brunswick; grandson, Ralph Kevin Jackson and wife, Christine, of Wilton; granddaughters, Jennifer Jackson of Chesterton, Ind., and Barbara Hackett of Bath; a nephew, Paul A. Derocher and wife, Patricia; his beloved adoptive family: son, Hoeung Curtis Kim, daughter, TK Kim, granddaughters, Thieng Kim and Kayla Hieng Kim and grandsons, Seth Kim and Steven Kim; also five great-grandchildren, Sully, Chenoa, Trevayne, Annaset and Paige.

He was predeceased in 1998 by his beloved wife of 51 years, Shirley.

Bud Curtis’ life was filled with generosity, spirituality, modesty, wit and humor. His stories of Bowdoinham and Maine life were always enjoyed by his many friends at the Town Landing. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.