CURT CLEMMER DIES AT AGE 63
 
Curt Clemmer, longtime Chicago SF fan, died in his sleep on June 8 at age
63.
He had a long history of overweight, smoking, apnea, and other health
problems.  Probable cause of death was a heart attack brought on by the
aforementioned conditions.
 
Visitation will be at the Hirsch Funeral Home at 7151 West 183rd St. in
Tinley
Park on Monday, June 12, from 2-9 PM.  (Exit I-80 at Harlem Avenue and go
north several blocks)   Fans are asked to bring photos or other remembrances
to set up a display.   Funeral will be Tuesday, June 13 at 11am, also at
Hirsch Funeral Home.
 
Cards may be sent to Melissa Clemmer at PO Box 156, Tinley Park, IL 60477.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Curt's name to the American
Heart
Association.
 
Curt was a robust fan, a giant of a man in just about all ways.  Known as
Redbeard in some fan circles, his presence and boisterous laugh would light
up
a room whenever he entered it.
 
He was a veteran of the Korean War, and was always proud of his military
service.  Over the years he had been extremely active in Veterans of Foreign
Wars and other veterans' organizations.
 
Curt's main hobby other than SF was stamp collecting, and he had a huge
stamp collection.  In particular, the UN, as I recall, coordinated a series
of many
countries issuing anti-malaria stamps during the 1960's; Curt had a complete
collection of this hard-to-get item, and loved showing it off to visitors.
 
He first became prominent in fandom during the large Star Trek convention
era
of the 1970's -- back when they would draw 20,000-30,000 people and
overwhelm the capabilities of the hotels (and concom!).   Curt was a major
player in helping to keep things going as smoothly as possible in the trying
atmosphere of these cons, and gained a reputation as a solid, reliable force
that could be depended on in a pinch.  When the Dorsai Irregulars were
formed in fandom, Curt was one of the early members and helped to keep the
organization from becoming too stuck on itself.
 
I first met Curt in 1977, when Larry Propp and I were putting together the
bid
for the 1982 World Science Fiction Convention.  At a Wilcon (a private con
thrown by Jon and Joni Stopa each year over 4th of July at the ski lodge
they
own in Wisconsin), I vividly remember Larry taking me to Curt's hotel room
and
introducing us.  I was awed not so much of Curt as I was that LARRY was awed
by Curt -- and Larry Propp was in awe of darn few people!
 
Although I had been present at the Worldcon in 1966 where Gene Roddenberry
premiered Star Trek to fandom, I had not been involved in Trek fandom.  Curt
took me under his wing and, with his future wife Melissa, introduced me to
all
the movers and shakers in Trekdom.  He was also responsible for getting me
on the committee of Cleveland Trek, the one Trek con that I worked on in a
major role.
 
Curt became one of the core architects of the bid for the 1982 Worldcon,
along
with Larry, Yale Edeiken, and myself.  Curt's contributions were twofold.
 He
was our conscience in insisting that while the Worldcon's primary thrust
should be literary SF, that media fandom had a role too, and that many
literati in fandom were too snobbish towards these folks; this resulted in
our
bid (and the eventual Worldcon) being more balanced.   He also was one of
the
best "idea men" I ever met -- he had ALL KINDS of grandiose ideas; some of
them were even practical.  The fact that he never understood that not all of
his ideas could be done simultaneously did not detract from his usefulness
in
generating ideas that would make bidding and conventions more fun, and many
of us valued him for that.
 
Curt was also one of the best recruiters I have ever worked with.  He had a
gift for recognizing convention-running talent, and for quietly walking up
to
me and saying,"You know, Ross, you guys really are under-utilizing
so-and-so;
you reallyd 1991 Worldcons in Chicago, Curt was
a
former member of the Board of Directors for ISFiC, the parent body of
Windycon.  He worked on Windycons for many, mhat Curt ran things on the
floor.
 
My own favorite anecdote with Curt has to do with his wedding to Melissa
Bayard in 1980.  It was to be a fan wedding, held at the annual Dorsai UR day,
and I want you to really enjoy it.  You KNOW the aardvark suit will um, attract
attention."

"No, we understand.  I really want you to wed
shakes his head.  "I know you guys warned me about this, but I didn't really
believe it..."
 
I go to sit down on the bride's side, since Melissa said she specifically
invited me.  All of her relatives ob tries to quiet her by
whispering,"That's your uncle Aardvark, Robin."
 
Robin's reaction was to wave wildly to me, shouting,"Hi, uncie Aardvark!
 Hi,
uncie Aardvark!"
 
Curt, who waarshot of this, said afterwards that it took the
greatest concentration of his life to pay attention to the vows and not
break
out t moment of his life.
 
As the couple exited, the Dorsai whipped out swords and switchblades and
such to form a military arch of steel.  I proudly participated, using my
cane in
lieu of a weapon.
 
After they got back from the honeymoon, they called to thank me for wearing
the costume.  "After all," said Melissa, "We couldn't have gotten married
without you."
 
"Huh?"  I said, still not understanding.
 
Melissa laughedwed...."
 
Curt chimed in,"AND YOU WERE THE SOMETHING BLUE, UNCLE AARDVARK!!!!"
 Laughing boisterously.
 
Over the years since then, whenever Curt or I have been at a fan gathering,
and the other of us enters the room, Curt always took great pleasure in
regaling the room with this anecdote.  I put it here in memorial to him, as
a
remembrance of one of the best moments of both our lives.
 
As those who know me are aware, Curt and I had disagreements from time to
time.  Some of them were quite loud.  But we always had more in common than
we had in differences, and we always remained friends.  My God, I'm going to
miss him.
 
Ross Pavlac
June 10, 1995

1 responses total.

My mom new curt, shes Dorsi.  I send my regards
-haven

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