Robert McCurdy

Robert Andrew "Andy" McCurdy, 74, of Rogers passed early Friday morning, Sept. 5, 2014. A Rogers native, Andy was widely known and warmly regarded as a successful businessman and civic leader whose quiet generosity positively impacted many lives. Those who knew him were treated to his dry and sometimes biting humor, obsessive attention to detail and keen intuition about people. We miss him dearly. Andy was born on Dec. 1, 1939, to Jess and Vina (Russell) McCurdy. The youngest of three siblings, he was a member of the state championship basketball team at Rogers High School. After his graduation in 1957, he was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point class of 1961. West Point had a profound impact on Andy's life and character. Upon graduation he served as an artillery officer in the United States Army. After completing Ranger school, Andy was assigned to the 504th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, where he loved performing the duties of jumpmaster and honing his golf game. Andy resigned his commission on June 15, 1964, and returned to Northwest Arkansas to work for his father-in-law at the Robinson Accounting firm in Rogers. During this time, he took classes at the University of Arkansas School of Business, and in August of 1966, Andy became Benton County's first Certified Public Accountant. He continued his work as a CPA throughout the rest of his career, including at the firm of Guinn & McCurdy. In 1970, he became the administrator of the Rogers Medical Center, and over the next 33-and-a-half years, Andy's vision and leadership were instrumental in the phenomenal growth and modernization of health care in Northwest Arkansas. He was unfailingly kind but expected the best from those with whom he worked. On Dec. 31, 2003, he retired as chief financial officer for all Northwest Arkansas Mercy clinics. In a striking testament to his impact on the community, his retirement ceremony was attended by over 500 well-wishers. Over the years, Andy served on the Rogers School Board, as a member of the Airport Commission, as president of the Rogers Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club and as chairman of the Board of Federal Savings Bank. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Board of Directors for United Bank of Springdale. Along the way, he also found time to nurture his love of aviation, becoming a highly accomplished pilot of multiple types of aircraft and logging over 10,000 flight hours. In his later years, Andy attended monthly meetings of the Rogers History Club, where he enjoyed learning about and preserving for future generations the rich history of a community in which he played such an integral role. Andy will be remembered as an energetic and deeply engaged man of many diverse talents and interests. The love of Andy's life was his family and he took great pride and joy in us all. He is survived by his loving wife, Belinda, whom he married on Sept. 27, 1996; and by her children, Josh Huempfner and his son, Mason, of Rogers, and Claire Huempfner and her fiance, Grayson Lindley, of Grapevine, Texas. He is also survived by his children from a previous marriage, Col. John McCurdy, USAF, and his wife, Georgia, and their two children, Lizzie and Luke, of Colorado Springs, and Lainie Hines and her two children, Will and Daniel, of Rogers. Andy was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bill McCurdy; sister, Liz Means; daughters, Mary Martha and Amanda; and by Belinda's son, Matt Huempfner. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in his name to the Rogers Historical Museum, 322 S. Second St., Rogers, AR 72756. A memorial service is set for 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at First United Methodist Church in Rogers. Arrangements are by Sisco Funeral Home in Pea Ridge. Online condolences may be made at siscofuneralhome.net.