Howard Curtis Mcintosh

Howard Curtis ""Curty"" McIntosh, 92, of Rockford, passed away from complications of pancreatic cancer on Saturday, March 1, 2008, in the Health Center of Wesley Willows surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Edgemont, South Dakota, on May 26, 1915, the eldest son of Howard and Bertha (Graves) McIntosh. Howard graduated from Edgemont High School in 1933. He was the last surviving member of his class. From 1934-1935, he worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the Black Hills area of South Dakota. He graduated from Huron College in 1939. Served in the Army Air Corp from 1942 1946, stationed at a B17 bomber base in Hobbs, New Mexico and later became a part of the Air Transport Command. In 1944, he married Rosetta Jordan, of West Chicago, Illinois whom he met while she was teaching in his hometown of Edgemont. Their love affair grew into marriage that lasted for 63 years. Howard received his masters degree from Northern Illinois University in 1967. He taught school for 36 years. His first years of teaching were spent in Wood, SD, then in Edgemont where he coached 2 undefeated football teams. He also taught in the Harlem School District for 11 years and 19-1/2 years at Lincoln Middle School in the Rockford School District before retiring in 1980. Howard was an avid sports enthusiast. He was captain of the Edgemont football team during his senior year of high school. He was also captain of the Huron College football team during his senior year. He maintained his interest in sports throughout his life. He enjoyed watching all high school sports and was especially joyous whenever the Cubs, Bears, or Bulls won. He was a better than average golfer, and enjoyed bowling. In recent years he relished playing pool and cards regularly with his friends at Wesley Willows. He enjoyed solving crossword puzzles, tending to his tomato and pepper plants, and listening to country music. Howard was a 48-year member of Third Presbyterian Church where he served several terms as deacon and elder and was active in fellowship clubs. He also was a member of the YMCA Retired Mens Club. For ten years, Howard was a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society, driving patients to the hospital for treatments. Howard will be remembered for his love of family, sense of humor, kindness, and gentleness. Survivors include his loving wife; three children: David McIntosh of Amherst, WI, Mary (Joseph) Gsell of Naperville, IL, and Phillip (Connie) McIntosh of Pecatonica, IL; two grandchildren: Elizabeth (Erik) Farnham of Missouli, MT, and Joseph Matthew Gsell of Chicago, IL; a brother, Roy McIntosh of Tujunga, CA, and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his brother, Dr. Charles Barron McIntosh, and his parents. A memorial service celebrating Howards life will be conducted by Dr. Murray Hanson at Third Presbyterian Church, 1221 Custer Avenue, Rockford, IL at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2008. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Third Presbyterian Church, Severson Dells Nature Center, or the Good Samaritan Fund of Wesley Willows. Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory assisted the family.