MADISON, Wis. — Retired CUNA Mutual Group President/CEO Robert L. Curry, who spent his life dedicated to service, has died at the age of 84 following a heart attack.
A 1953 University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School graduate, Curry was a senior member of law firm Boardman, Suhr, Curry and Field prior to joining CUNA Mutual.
Curry was named the company's fourth CEO in 1973, succeeding Charles F. Eikel Jr., and remained in that position until he retired in October 1988. He was succeeded by Richard M. Heins.
Recommended For You
Curry had a special place in his heart for credit unions and his 15 years of dedicated leadership marked a period of tremendous growth for CUNA Mutual. He was instrumental in the promotion and development of the worldwide credit union movement. CUNA Mutual assets grew from $152 million to $1.35 billion, and the number of employees increased from about 400 employees to more than 3,000 worldwide, including 1,900 in Madison.
Curry also oversaw the expansion of CUNA Mutual's Mineral Point Road campus, which, in 1973, consisted solely of the one original building. By 1980, the Credit Union Center campus effectively became the credit union industry's international headquarters and included an 800-seat cafeteria, 175-seat auditorium, and served as the headquarters for CUNA Mutual, CUNA, and the World Council of Credit Unions.
"Employees often described Bob as a great leader, one who cared for people and possessed great intelligence," said Don Davidson, CUNA Mutual vice president of Credit Union System Relations and a longtime acquaintance.
Actively involved in the community, Curry's career also included serving as United Way fund drive chairman and board member, Chamber of Commerce director, member of the executive committee of the Future of Madison and board member of UW Foundation.
Curry is survived by his wife, Muriel, three children, nine grandchildren and two brothers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northwoods Wildlife Center, 8683 Blumstein Rd., Minocqua, WI, 54548, or Macular Degeneration Research, University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, 2870 University Ave., Suite 102, Madison, WI 53705.
© Touchpoint Markets, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more inforrmation visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
