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Born August 28, 198414 years old
Steve Curnow dreamed of being a Navy top gun pilot and was very close with his mom Susan and father Robert (Bob) despite the fact that they were divorced. Weeks before the shooting, he told his father that he forgave him for the mistakes made that led to the breakup. Steve loved soccer. When he discovered his soccer skills weren't strong enough to make the team at Columbine, he continued to referee part-time and play on the team dad Bob coached, the Colorado Rush. Steve liked the color green, because it was the color of the field.
His favorite classes were Spanish, technology, and gym because he got to play sports. He dreamed of becoming an aviator after discovering the joy of flight during a family vacation to England.
Remembered as a huge fan of the Star Wars series, he watched the films so many times, he could recite the dialogue along with the actors. Science fiction fans nationwide put together a "Go to Star Wars" memorial day in his honor when Star Wars I: the Phantom Menace premiered in theaters May 19th, 1999. He had been anxiously awaiting its release.
Steve was hiding under one of the small computer tables in the library, near surviving victim Kacey Ruegsegger, when the shooting began. Eric Harris shot Steve in neck with a sawed-off shotgun. Steve died in the library. At 14 years old, he was the youngest victim of the Columbine massacre.
His funeral was held at Trinity Christian Center, the fourth funeral of a Columbine victim held there in five days. Members of his soccer team were among the mourners at his funeral. "Every time we'd play, he'd have a huge smile on his face," Justin Norman said at the funeral, a former teammate who was among a dozen friends who offered eulogies for Steve.
His sister Nancy said at the funeral that she was going to miss fighting with Steve over whose turn it was to take out the garbage, and whose turn it was to use the computer. She wondered who would tell stories to her own children about what she was like growing up. She'd been counting on her little brother for that.
His mom wrote a note to Steve that was read at his funeral: "Thank you for that special moment two weeks ago when you said, 'Mom, I bet there aren't many guys who can discuss things with their moms like we do.'"
Steve was buried in Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.
"My favorite place is the soccer field because I am feared as a player and respected as a ref. I take all my anxiety on the ball and the whistle, and it is good exercise." -- Steve Curnow, written shortly before his death
Photos of Steve Curnow and Family:
- Steve and sister Nancy
- Steve
Related Documents:
- Steve Curnow Autopsy Summary
Links:
- Denver Post remembers Steve Curnow
- Rocky Mountain News remembers Steve Curnow
- Soccer Times remembers Steve Curnow