The Headlines of the local Newberg Graphic, in Newberg Oregon read Death on the Columbia River. It was reported on KOMO,KING,and KIRO TV in Seattle. Before it hit the news, Curt Heuer's Fiance called us and told us Curt was gone.
Curt was my husbands class mate through high school, our neighbor for 14 years and had just bought property on San Juan Island after visiting us and fishing and crabbing and loving these islands like so many have. As our neighbor he was always willing to lend a helping hand when Jim needed it. All our boys were neighborhood friends, his older sons James and Chris were our older sons age and classmates and his youngest son was a friend to our son Gabe.
Curtis loved these islands, he loved the sea and lived on the bountiful Seafood available when he was here working on his property. One of his favorite things to do was go to Westcott Bay when they had their U-Pick Oyster sale and buy enough Oysters for 20 and cook them up over an open fire. He also was part of the Knights of Columbus here on the island and cooked for some of their events as well . He laughed often and easily, was always enthusiastic about what he was making or doing.
Curtis died doing one of the things he loved to do most in life, crabbing. Lost that day was also was Father James Nibler pastor of the Newberg's St. Peters Parish, and Father Jim's brother, Larry Nibler who owned Newberg Auto Electric.
He will be missed.
