Robert K. “Bob” Curtis, 87, former owner of Curtis Lumber, Ballston Spa, N.Y., died April 2. 

 

After serving as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army during World War II, he joined the family business, succeeding his father in 1947 at age 20. He grew the business from a sawmill with retail store to nine stores before handing the reins to his son, Jay, in 1992. He then split off the wholesale and truss operations as Saratoga Lumber Traders, Ballston Spa

 

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he hosted a Handy Man Show on WGY Radio. 

 

In addition to serving as president of NRLA and Adirondack Retail Lumberman’s Association, he was inducted into the Home Center Hall of Fame in 1991, and received the Eastern New York Lumber Dealers Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.

 

Verne R. Spear, 98, retired owner of Spear Lumber, West Suffield, Ct., died Feb. 23.

 

During World War II, he was a carpenter at the U.S. Sub Base in Groton, Ct. 

 

In 1946, he and his father formed a partnership in 1946 and incorporated Spear Lumber in 1950. He sold the business and retired in 1978.

 

He had also served as president of the NRLA, director of the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association, president of the Western Massachusestts Hoo-Hoo Club #59, and president and treasurer of the Lumber Dealers Association of Connecticut, which named him Lumberman of the Year in 1988.

 

Michael Alteri, 93, former co-owner of Russell Home Center (now Wolcott Building Supply), Wolcott, N.Y., died March 8. 

 

He served as a Naval officer in the Pacific Theater during World War II and as a press liaison officer during atomic weapon testing at Bikini Atoll in 1946. Following his discharge, he entered the lumber business.